Neighbors of ours extended their porch with decking and extended the roof line with lazer lite sheets. It is a huge improvement. You could wrap porch around the front of the house and put in some sort of barricade. They used wood and tempered steel. It would allow you to enjoy the front garden as well. Good luck:-)

I like how it looks, just needs some gardening.

A timber deck that wraps right around the front of your house could be fab. With a roof over it. The present colours are too stark for my taste, I would prefer tone on tone. You could update the railing and consider making the front window larger. ( I would door sliding or bi-fold doors if a deck was there). Good luck.

Fancie - the heat is awful! 5 days or so thus far. Today was a bit better. Feel for the Poms playing at the WACA!
Car port on driveway side, there is a big tree that would make it difficult on the other side.
I like all the deck ideas!

Front of the house faces east.

I agree that extending front porch and wrapping around front of house will add a lot of appeal. A new front jarrah wood door would brighten up space and bring colour in. Maybe jarrah decking too?

May a Saffer intrude? Are you kidding? Your house is beautiful. Love love love. Two things bother me and one is probably nonsense anyway. One, the front door makes an odd upside-down L. Could you separate the vertical from the horizontal as I suggest below? The other is that the bit of wall in front of the porch looks white while the rest of the house isn't. I suspect that's just the vagaries of monitors and colour reproduction. Cherish what you have!

Good luck with the heat. 32 deg C here today, but I suspect that's chicken feed to you.

If you absolutely must, trellises on both sides of the window on the right with roses.

Your home is lovely. Since living in New Orleans, Louisiana, I've always wished for a Spanish inspired stucco house. Of course, so much of what you can do is dependant upon your budget. Given the addition of the garage, I'm guessing you're incurring some major costs. Your house is reminiscent of a "Spanish Colonial": stucco, clay tile roofing, red tile pavers, and black rod iron. After the construction is complete, my recommendations are: (1.) unify with a fresh coat of white paint; (2.) brighten the black rod-iron patio railings with Rustoleum spray paint; (3.) add green paint for trim; (4.) consider black rod-iron details on the front window, front door knob, and a hanging exterior porch light; (5.) re-do the front flower garden. Be sure to consult with an expert on your garage addition. Compliment the existing house (don't dominate it with the garage), and tie the exterior finishes so the structure is cohesive. (P.S. The birdbath is too small for where it is currently placed.) Most of all, express yourself in the design choices. It's your 'home sweet home'!

Yes, yes! Make sure the garage is set back. Good point, Kaywestmaas. I cannot understand architects who have designed houses with the apparent intention of making everyone say, Wow! A garage! But I think the birdbath is just fine.

Add some fun!

Project all up is a big'un. Prob 150/200 aus$. We will extend and put on a new master and open plan kitchen living. The $ also include the carport (which council regs say has to be open) and landscaping. I like all the deck ideas on the front and may try to get builder to incorporate deck with / to the carport. Thanks everyone

Has some lovely features but needs work!

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what a great house you have, Nadia! full of character and your ceilings are to die for!

With your new extension can you enlarge your front window to the east, widthways. It will give you more sun on winter mornings, and you could use drapes in hot weather.

We are in Victoria. 2 days of heat, not too bad down south.

Pebble Stone Coatings, they are in Australia.