Thanks for all the great ideas everyone and sorry I didn't explain the polycarbonate a bit better :) This is along the lines of what we'll be using... http://www.psp.co.nz/building-brands/corrugated-sheeting/suntuf-polycarbonate The area is an absolute sun trap and we're hoping to use it as an extension to our living space, especially on rainy days! I've just sent my husband out to get a few pots of different stains for is to try - darkest brown (cedar) and a lighter brown (rustic oak) both by Cabots + the black we already have. Hopefully we can decide between one of those! I probably should have mentioned we will have black aluminium pool fencing running along the top of the second retaining wall - so the real question is do we keep everything black (pool fencing, horizontal fence, retaining walls and pergola) or do we go with a dark (or even light) brown for the pergola and retaining walls.... We just keep going around in circles at the moment. Decisions, decisions! Thanks again :)

Your deck will be amazing. It has fantastic form and plenty of architectural interest, it will add enormous benefit to the front facade and street appeal. I love your palette, it is simple and still has point sof interest. MY suggestion would be to use a combination of your exterior colours applied where best to highlight the deck structure and either tie in, or accent against it. Ding all of these things by painting the lower retaining section in the base grey the charcoal colour to continue and blend into the lower floor brickwork, also do this charcoal on the upper deck frame which is also the roof of that entry way. I am trying to say that thick timber which trims the deck. And the slatted section of the stair wall which acts as a breezeway in the light grey- why? Because the open sections of the slats will always appear black as you can see through them to under the satirs, and the light grey slats will stand out and feature that shadow line, perhaps even use liting to further enhance this detail. Lastly, the stair treads themselves left natural, like an architectural contemporRy stAtement, the natural timber tones will be rich and sophisticated and act as art inviting you to the home. These stairs would really pop and be commentedon at street level, also consider lights in each tread, perhaps the slatted wall side to highlight both this and the stirs for night practicality. What a stunning entrance. The natural character in rich timber tones will warm the grey, keep it contemporary and not introduce personalized colour, which can take away from street appeal. This on the other hand, appeals to everyone. And greenery, landscaping will only take this to the next level. Literally!

This just popped up , but I see it is quite old . Did you decide on paint colours ? The roof looks almost a brown tone in the photos , but you say it is dark grey . I assume you don't want to paint that ? If you do , go more charcoal IMO . If you don't , I'm assumimg it will look several shades darker with your wall colour choices . There is a roller door on the garage that appears to be a nice shade of orangey yellow . Personally , I would go with your colour choices , but do all the doors ( roller doors , wooden doors ) and gutterings in that ochre shade . Your terrace I would do in a charcoal , but with the top rail either in the orangey yellow , or a really crisp white . I know that sounds a bit 70's ( although they would have added a lot of ranch brown back then haha ! ) but against the light grey I suspect it would work together well , and look the part .

I recently saw this episode of Ask This Old House where they demonstrated painting tiles - especially as a solution to get one through till an entire redo is possible. http://www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/tv/ask-toh/video/0,,20902001,00.html Looks like you are doing a great job!