Hi Stacy. I think weatherboarding will work for the look you're after. Would you paint it all one colour? My only worry was whether it would all be a bit one dimensional and whether the boarding would make the ground floor look lower ( I've drawn it out though and it doesn't seem to make any difference but that could be my lack of drawing skills!) I wonder if you could add a porch with weatherboard like this with either side of the front rendered and painted? The porch doesn't have to be as complex/expensive as this with the steps etc. I've had a similar size ŵall rendered and it was about £150 from memory so the cost would really be for the porch. Can you or your husband draw? It may be an idea to sketch out various options (with colour!) to see what you like then get quotes on the various options http://linleydevelopments.co.uk/portfolio/bungalow-to-a-chalet-style-conversion/#prettyPhoto[portfolio]/1/

I agree. Match to the slate, then they will disappear. If they were the green they would jump out at you and I don't think that would look right.

Well, it's obvious that it will be the same size whether it is painted or not - and you can't just phone the planning inspectorate up and ask! My question relates to whether the optical appearance of a lighter colour dormer is smaller and less intrusive than a darker colour dormer??

Personally I think you are trying too hard to match the rest of your home and you should think about whether a wood stair is safe. In most homes the stairs are in the middle of the home but in yours they are at the entrance and I worry that wet shoes could be slippy. Also think the square edge could be vulnerable to damage in part because it’s a veneer. So while I think you could make it look beautiful initially I worry about it’s longevity and so perhaps you can use your wood flooring in a different way and make the stairwell more interesting with wood cladding to the wall.? Personally I would replace the carpet with new carpet…… coir and sisal might be a good compliment for the wood floor but they also are difficult to clean and don’t like getting wet- so I would probably buy either an inexpensive carpet and resolve to replace it every few years…… or I would get a wool carpet with a forgiving pattern- I like herringbone patterns for making a space seem wider.