FYI: The entrance is actually an enclosed verandah which the Pastor is using as his office. We've installed light coloured blinds to give him the privacy and/or shade he needs.

Add a porch,relandscape,plant some flower and shrub along the wall line and driveway line,but avoid direct line,should be S shape fluid line.

The home actually has great character. How wonderful that you are doing this.

May I suggest that you enlist the family to help with a project that will be beneficial such as planting a vegetable and herb garden in the back. Many times seasonings are very expensive when you try to buy spices you are used to.

Flowers in the front are something that makes anyone feel welcome and "home".

A lattice wall under the far window with morning glories. These grow fast, come in many colors and require little tending. Easy to start from seed.

Wild flowers can also grow from seed. If you can build a flower crib it will help with weeds.

As you don't want them to have to spend much time tending I think this would be the easiest to maintain.

Some hanging plants off the widowed portion of the gutter would look great too.

If possible allow them to personalize the outdoor space. Such as selecting a color for the peaks. I would paint the garage door the same color.

Hi Lucidos, pictures say it louder than words here. Such an improvement already, just by the looks of it. The family has started their small veggie patch at the back. I'll find some photos to share later. They love their tomatoes, chillies (birds eye) and lotsa basil plants. Not sure what's in the patch now that they will be having more rains during the winter season. Perhaps we can do these sometime in June when the rains are more frequent in the northern rivers of NSW, Australia.

This is quite an interesting "take" on improving the facade..."use rustoleum after wiping down the aluminum, that would be better painted out with oil rubbed bronze spray paint. You could use the same spray paint on the metail railing to freshen it, and replace the light with a bronze toned kind of oversized lantern or pull the one you have down/ mask and spray it fresh to look new." I'm no techo about painting but I will check with our local warehouse shop this suggestion and how to go about it best. Thanks for your suggestions and for taking the time to describe them to me here. 'Ava g'day.

There is so much that an architect could do with this home, but it will require a substantial investment. It is in desperate need of a porch addition or perhaps an arbor; the proportions of the current roof/wall height are very challenging.

Thanks for the comment; the house is in a hilly part of town in Australia and so I guess houses there tend to be constructed in this fashion to take advantage of the views they have of the mountain ranges. I have an architect friend in Hawaii, maybe he could make some friendly, low-budget suggestions to improve the facade. G'day to you, Coop 15 Architecture, from sunny Sydney.

The brick stairs offer an intermediate level where an entry deck could be built adjacent to the long run in the center. Not sure if composite deck material will meet budget.
aluminum in white will always clash with earthier brick and roof with warm tones - thus the orb suggestion. A warm off-white could also work, but deeper tones will help it recede.

Landscaping is needed, but I wouldn't use lattice anywhere, or hang plants off the gutter. Flowers look good if somebody tends to them constantly ... given that you probably can't count on that ... go evergreen so that the money and work you do will last and look good year round. I agree, the railing and veranda window framing would look good dark. Neutralize the gables and don't contrast the fascia. You could do an arbor over the garage door, maybe a window box under the right window with a trellis or Burmuda shutters . A couple of large terra cotta or concrete urns beside steps. What is the garage used for? A glass garage door might be nice.

Burmuda Shutters could lengthen the look of the window on the right.

I rather like this house because it is not at all like the 1970's houses where I'm from in the US. You said "little money, easy care."
I cannot fathom using spray paint on aluminum peaks. It can be sprayed on with something that is not here in the US $7 per can. Goodness! That would be expensive!!
Ask at your local paint store for advice on how best to paint the peaks. And also the garage door. Prime? What kind of paint? We see them in a light color so as suggested, go dark. There is a new paint here just made for garage doors and doors that is not supposed to fade so quickly. Google ? I believe it is at our store called Sherwin Williams.
The railing is an easy update with spray paint. They come with primer and if you get Rustoleum the oil rubbed bronze is a nice my dark yet not black color but there are other choices in their line. You spoke of foundation plants under the window on far right. Once again, if you have a local nursery their advice is best. I would go in and say I'd like something in miniature that grows no taller than four feet yet does not lose its leaves. Ask for plants that flower at staggering times. I would remove the grass in that area and put up a barrier to keep it from spreading back into your area of plan things. Can you plant a tree off to the left but not in the middle of yard to provide some shade to that window area? Deciduous so winter light comes through? I would not put any vine on the house. I find this a very well cared for house. Because I've never seen a house like this I find it looking sturdy. Not cheap stucco like here. I think doing this "grunt" labor could be a one day project with the right volunteers from your church. Get things donated. Use adult and teen volunteers to help. Does your church or a friend of someone in your church willing to donate or reduce rate for a plan? Have someone in charge. We did a project like this and did the running around to get supplies before the day but on that day, the person in charge broke down jobs to have leaders of that section of job be in charge. Our makeover turned out well. Much of what we needed was donated!!
So either way, you on your own or trying to find pros to donate services at reduced rates or free, you will have that outstanding house on the block!!

Great idea. I will suggest this to the family. We thought of planting hedge plants in the frontyard to "enclose" the area so perhaps to make it use-able for gatherings in summer. But even that the family is afraid that they are not able to look after due to the hectic schedule with ministry and family. But we will keep an eye on an easy makeover that will last long. The spray painting will happen when I get to visit there next month. And I will post a photo for those who have been kindly giving suggestions on this page.

I wouldn't know where to start.