It's refreshing to see nautical, navy BLUE. Everyone is saying the same thing for the most part - just introduce another color, definitely bright (yellow or orange IMO) and it will make it more current. What I really like is how your style will withstand the test of time - and with minor updates now and then it will always look fresh and "current".

This is why it's always good to have a pro to hold your hand for at least some of the way, (carefully chosen though, check out his/her finished projects, the more varied the styles, the better she/he will be able to understand and adapt to your desires), they can provide the invaluable visual supports too. When it's your own house it's notoriously difficult to see the possibilities, you have it under your eyes the whole time and the defaults shout at you and prevent you being able to see it objectively and envisage the possibilities. you're emotionally involved and emotions always have the upper hand on the brain, so you just keep turning round in circles. Something akin as to why a psy must never attempt therapy on a member of his own family, if you follow me :D As for the façade color, are you sure it needs changing that much ? Once those thick white frames have gone and the new windows nestling more discreetly, correctly positioned and re-proportioned, the aspect will change drastically and be far more streamlined and modern. (the devil is in the detail) I'd also strongly suggest that the wood facing just breaks off around the windows, no framing or finishings. Same thing for all the windows, the small ones too. Entrance : Same as for the windows, that outer frame shouldn't be touching the ceiling, you can try taking that off and painting the door another color before deciding to change it and once again the door could do with setting back a little. You could maybe take that doorstep out while you're at it. Also, i don't know what is happening to the right of the door but i see the concrete steps leaing up and feel it would be good to create another level to make it flush with the bottom of the door if structurally possible. This would tie it all in better and you probably wouldn't need any additional definition to your entrance. Anyhow, as i often quote, i'm a firm believer in " Less is More " , and vice versa of course ^^ Question #4 i can't answer as i haven't really understood the problem And #5 i don't think so, but once the other transformations have been taken care of i think you'll find it speaks for itself. Whatever, it's a very exciting project, the bones are great and i'd love to see photos of progression once you get started.

congrats! first, sand prime and paint out those cabinets....i'd go with a grayish shade of white or pale gray that will work with the flooring. i'd also carefuly chip off the yellow tiles. since on a budget, consider applying some beadboard as your backsplash, painted in a glossy, oil based or marine paint in a crisp white to keep it scrubbable, then, dress up the edges with some small mouldings, painted in the same white paint. this is going to be SO MUCH less costly than tile! and it will look great with the butcher block countertop. you can probably refresh the butcher block with a light sand and oiling. you could even get an additional piece of butcher block (ikea) and create a step-up 'bar' for some stools on the peninsula for some casual seating. then get a pair of pendant lights to hang from the pot lights above (they make lights that insert directly into the pot light...no hardwire necessary).

My thoughts are either you keep it a sort of brown but with a more greenish undertone and less "pinky". Resene Pravda would work beautifully. (I have done a house that also had brown joinery). I would change the garage doors to "blend" in with the house colour - don't try to accent them too much. The fence, if you go that direction, would be an even darker "brown" to create a bit for interest and create a bit of depth as you look at your house - Resene Marsala?? Option 2: Go completely different and head back to "white" with a grey edge. I would go for something like Resene Triple Seafog, Resene Double Merino perhaps. What I am thinking is basically a white that has a hint of grey in it to tie in with your blue roof. Once again, don't want the garage doors to be that "light" (ie. the house will look virtually pretty white overall) so probably go a very pale but light grey for the garage doors (Resene Silver Chalice/Resene Quarter Atmosphere). The fence would again head to an even darker grey like Resene Double Stack. The ballustrade could either go back to main house colour white or you could use the same as the garage doors. If neither of these two options appeal then look at a beige but not too much of a yellow undertone. Also have a chat with your local paint shop. Always use testbots. Colour is like a chameleon so it will reflect its surroundings. Love your front door! Perhaps one large, tall as you can afford, pot with a statement plant - wait will you've painted the house first so you know what colour pot. Let me know how you get on.