Black roof, black window frames and muntins, cream siding, cream (the same tone as the brick siding) garage doors and high gloss black front door. No other color but cream and black. http://www.houzz.com/photos/3245164/Atherton-Residence-contemporary-exterior-san-francisco

Hi Please disregard the attached plan (not part of this house), sorry for confusion Matt

Thanks for the replies! My wife suggested we talk to a local real estate agent, so i think that is a good idea... just that Im not sure how helpful they are likely to be if we arent selling yet :) As for saving for our dream house, I dont disagree, however if doing this up nicely over the next ~5 years or so while we live here nets us some extra in the eventual sale, then that of course will help us as well. Interesting thing happened today actually. I got a knock on the door and one of the older neighbours asked if he could take some lemons from the tree. I of course said yes. Anyway he was telling me he had lived in the street for 40 years. I asked him if the house had always looked like this, and he said no that ~30 years ago the old old owner did a massive renovation and pulled off the timber and put up the bricks and gutted the inside of the house. Interesting stuff!

Thanks for the suggestions. I will definitely try to attach rounded tiles where I can to make it more Spanish. Also love the idea of attaching Spanish style tiles to fronts of steps etc. I will definitely do bright contrasting front door, and I really like the window flowers idea to break up all the walls. Landscaping is my strength, so got that sorted, and will begin that first. There is too much focus currently on parking spaces, and not enough on outdoor living. What do you guys think of this colour. I am happy to paint over the aluminium windows with whatever colour would suit best. Thanks very much.