In order to suggest specific plants, I need to know what part of the country you live in. There are no shade trees it seems. I would take down the two shrubs at the front of the walk, including the purple one. Sorry. You can get the purple back elsewhere. They are overbearing and there's no symmetry. At the right corner of your home, not too close where the roots will damage the foundation or branches at maturity will touch the house, place a medium sized ornamental tree. At front, left corner, behind the mailbox ( you need a bigger, more updated one), maybe 5 feet to the right, place another tree. Pull out all the plants that are along the house and replace with evergreens, box woods? Just depends where you live. I would also pull out the white ground cover near the wall, just on the right, in order to achieve symmetry. I would paint the cream stucco a shade of gray darker than your roof and keep the trim white. Also, a new handrail would help freshen up the entry.

Do you have any photos of the front of the house that may give us a better view of the green trim? Have to say that painting costs so much and lasts just so long, you may want to wait until it's needed.

The setting is quite tropical, so a darker scheme with white trims has such a tropical holiday feel. You may consider using a concrete face brick for the lower section. This will be modern, and eliminate the need for painting, while still creating contrast with the upper level. Try a colour for the main house like Resene Evolution, or Quarter Evolution, both would be perfect for your style of home. The colour scheme that we recommend for you is our Rainforest Board which includes everything you need to bring the look together! https://www.bodoboards.com.au/collections/paint-concept/products/rainforest-paint-concept We would love to see updates as you go.. its going to be great!

I assume you have sailed into your renovations Susan ? The pictures actually look like 2 different houses -- different colours , different styles . I quite like the 'red' ( 2 storey ) side of the house -- even the conservatory and that pattern on the deck railing -- personally I'd paint it in a charcoal , but it's liveable . NOT a fan of the yellow opaque glass , and I'd paint around the outside of your 2 garage doors approx 80-100mm wide white borders to match the rest of the joinery . The other side though -- the roof ( as you said ) would be my first thing -- I'd go a browny/red , very similar to the panels on the other side of the house . The gutters and window sills I'd go a superbright blood red , and even though I agree about the cream veneer bricks and steps -- I'd leave the veneer , and either paint , or preferably tile , the steps in charcoal , and add a couple of 'chunky' stainless rails on the sides . And the base board -- I'd do it in charcoal too . It would not only look better , but make the house look longer and sleeker .