Henson Homes, I just noticed the ornamental gate/fencing to the very left of photo. Looks interesting, I hope you can keep it. :)

Pardon, Hepson Homes!

How that house looks is common in the UK. The upper portion may be painted in white or a cream. Have white or a dark trim and a front door painted in a great color. Remember there are lots of gloomy overcast days there so off white or cream would look good with white trim. Choose a traditional color for your front door and do some lovely landscape. It will be just right.

I am saying this to also help our American friends as they may not be familiar with this house type.

I am one of those American friends who is not familiar with this type of house, but I do like the style. Interesting with the different types of materials used. I can imagine it all freshened up and looking lovely!

I think the house would look amazing with the upper portion painted in a warm taupe grey, keep the trim white and then you can do a pop of color on the front door which could be pulled through the landscape with coordinating pots and accessories. Going with a chartreuse door would give it a playful, modern edge without overpowering the traditional architecture

Maybe one day you will take a trip there and you will see, flying into Heathrow, lots of those houses, unwantedadvice. (great name) Yes, basically it is a question of being freshened up.

Unfortunately to have a color of a value compatible with the bricks would make the house look rather overbearing and dull. Better to work with than against the house type.

1850 seems far too early for this style of house--my guess would be closer to 1910.

If I understand correctly, pebble dash is a type of stucco with gravel pressed into it. With time the pebbles loosen and get dirty, so it is often painted to keep it going. White is a common color because you can buy it that way from the hardware store. If I understand correctly, color options are more limited in England than the US, unless you are willing to mix the color yourself. However, I think the general consensus of the preservation community is to repair, not paint, pebble dash if at all possible.

Are you sure you have to replace the windows? They have nice heft and interior storms could improve the energy efficiency. Studies have been done in the US and old wood windows properly glazed and weatherstripped with a storm nearly equal the performance of the best new windows, but can last much longer. Plus wood windows can be painted any color, which adds a lot

I think the screened porch detracts from your house and I'm glad you are probably going to remove it. If you are keeping it, a darker color will de-emphasize it.

Here are some good sources of information about old British homes and resources for restoration:

http://www.buildingconservation.com/articles/pebbledash/pebbledash.htm
http://www.buildingconservation.com/articles/articles.htm#coursestraining
http://www.buildingconservation.com/articles/ten/tenways.htm

http://www.buildingconservation.com/books/directory2013/index.html#/0/

http://www.freepedia.co.uk/DIRHomesWindowRepairs.php
http://www.diydata.com/techniques/stucco/stucco_mixes.php
http://www.diydata.com/general_building/index.php

http://www.homesandantiques.com/feature/essential-guide/victorian-house
http://www.victoriansociety.org.uk/publications/category/care-for-victorian-houses/
http://www.homebuilding.co.uk/advice/existing-homes/renovating/period-house-restoration

I have been looking for another UK site that has loads of resources, but I can't find it.

I know the brown color is boring, but the exposed stone of the pebble dash is part of the period aesthetic, especially for Arts and Crafts influenced homes like yours.

From what I have seen, colors tends to be more limited in the UK than in the US, but I would consider painting the sashes and casings of the windows in richer darker colors--maybe brick red or a bit brighter for the sash and an olive green for the casing. Or maybe a type of turquoise/verdigris and a charcoal grey, or possibly a light tan. Or maybe mustard yellow and green. A bit of yellow on the large soffit could brighten things up a bit too.

I am not familiar with traditional British Arts and Crafts color schemes, so it might be worth it to do some research and if you have access to them, use custom color matching service to get a color you like. In the US, I like the Sherwin Williams color visualizer which allows you to load a photo of your house and try different color combinations, although it takes some work to do the masks (stencils) for the color, Once you get a combination you like, you can try printing off the color samples and seeing if you can buy something similar in the UK.

Some more defined landscaping in the front could do wonders too.

Houses like that were being built around the 30s onwards.

Thank you for all your responses. It really helps getting a perspective from people with an eye for detail!

The house was built in 1928 so is a solid, well built house. The render is starting to bald and thus we can either paint it or come up with a genius design. With the house having so much character we want to maintain the front traditional look, and the new open plan living area at the back ultra modern.

I've driven around the area and a few similar houses have either gone cream or white. Cream being the best combination with white windows. The front is yet to be landscaped and still requires the porch to be removed. Externally we have a fair amount of work to do but will look awesome when it's done.

I like the idea of cladding, but it would stand out like a sore thumb as it's somewhat of a rarity. A bit of a love or hate look, in which narrows our market. We do however use it in areas we feel it would suit.

I'm still debating the front door. It looks amazing and the stained glass really does look good. The idea is for oak to flow through the house and was tempted to keep the front door as is. I'll upload a few progress photos so you can see how it's developing

Thank you again

I think that what you are planning will be fabulous. It is a traditional house which us Brits really like, as you know, and it would be dreadful to wreck it. I too vote cream with white paint.

Go for the oak doors that would be easy to change if you didn't like it.

Look forward to viewing your photos.

Please keep that front door the natural wood. It looks great with the stained glass-I think any color on the door would just compete with the colors in the glass.
Also, I hope that you could take some of that tile from the fireplace and incorporate it as accents around the house. It's a pity that you said you have to remove the fireplace. I take it that you could not leave it just for decorative purposes, even if it no longer can be used as a working fireplace. Here in the US that is a popular thing to do, but maybe it's not there in the UK.

Looking around we've decided a cream will be the best colour. Windows are being replaced with new in white with style to match the existing. Bifold door colour also to be white to keep things simple!

Front door is being taken away and overhauled. Have uploaded some plans for any of you interested in seeing what we're doing to it.

Thank you for all your comments and advice. Having everyones views really makes me think outside the box!

Hepson Homes, please post pics when the house is finished. :)

Cool - will be a nice project to watch with the before and (soon to be) after pics ! Will make someone a fab family home !!!

Finally we have 3 paint colours to chose from. House has come on a fair bit too!

I think you need bigger test areas to evaluate the color. They all look very similar. I think something a bit darker and more contrast to the white windows would look good--a lighter version of the dark pebble dash, perhaps a color close to what it looked like when it was new., such as a medium tan or a taupe or a warm grey. Are you going to restain the shingles? What are you going to do with the brackets?

Glad to hear that you are keeping the stained glass door. That adds such character and modern doors just don't compare.

I looked at the before pictures and I hope you kept that blue tiled fireplace and the headband. The butter yellow on the walls is just right too. Looks so much better without the enclosed porch too.

@Hepson Homes, I am happy to see progress being made on that cute house. Color choices are very similar but nice. Happy remodeling! Can't wait to see completed home. :))

I vote for the smallest splodge !!

I particularly like the creams in the photo on the right. The colors are not too easy to see though. Go for a paler one?

Although they kind of look like them, they are not shingles, victorianbungalowrach, they are fired clay tiles.

If you have a look at my latest pics you'll see the chosen colour. Thank you to everyone for your input!!!!

NEW WINDOWS? PAINTING THE PEBBLE-DASH?
I would strongly urge you not to do either of these things.
The windows are marvelous! Have them repaired, restored, repainted and weather stripped. If you want to give the house a new look change the paint color on the windows to a light grey-brown.

Painting the pebble-dash is a HORRIBLE idea. The color/ texture of the pebble-dash and brick together is a sort of classic period look. Interview contractors to repair or renew the pebble-dash.
This house has fine materials....clay tile roof, cooper gutters. YOU ARE GOING TO RUIN THIS HOUSE! Do not replace the windows...THIS MANIA for NEW and CHANGE is foolish. This lovely house has made through all these years and now you are going to utterly destroy it. SAVE YOUR MONEY DO MUCH MUCH LESS. You don't live in Finland, you don't need double pane glass.
(Remove the screened in porch that was added...it's not appropriate for the front of the house.)(

Pebble Stone Coatings provides a great way to enhance your home and gain the desired curb appeal. By using a natural stone, this concrete overlay is like no other product on the market. It is resistant to all weather conditions as well as looks and feels great. You can also personalize it by adding a design. Check out their website at www.pebblestonecoatings.com for more ideas and information.

Could you do a smoother stucco finish on top? That will give it a very small more modern,fresh touch and will tie in with the new back. I have to admit all white with black windows and details would look very smart...
@David J Gill: single pane windows do add much character, but it does get cold in GB and heating a large home with these windows is literally...a pain! Think energy efficiency...

We ended up coating it in an Quilted Calico Dulux Masonry Paint. Personally I love it.

Looking great!

Wow, "my" English home is getting a wonderful make-over!! Looking good Hepson Homes. :))

Just out of curiosity. Do you have a photo of the house when it was finished without the scaffolding?

Would love to see a photo too. From what can be seen above, it looks like a British classic from the time period only better,

Guys, thank you for the interest, the house will be completely finished this friday coming, so keep your eyes peeled on my profile :) But for now here's a few sneaky pics. All I can say is the house is looking stunning. The last few touches are really going to set this off the page!

Absolutely LOVE it. Good job. You chose well.

I remember this post- it looks fabulous! can't wait to see the final pics.

Looks amazing! Well done!
Hope there are some funds left for some grass or landscaping, that would be the crowning glory!

You will have so much activity at that house. You accomplished what you set out to do and that is to update a traditional pre-war London house. You succeeded and then some.

Carpets being done today, worktops and turfing tomorrow, with photos being taken at the weekend! Really excited to see what you all think!

Looks brilliant. So I see you went with the yellow or is it cream? :-) Have you replaced the windows as well because they look great. Quite green with envy.

The front door looks better without the porch too. We have a stained window above our door and when the sun shines through it's beautiful. Can't show you as it's too late. Maybe at the weekend.

I can't wait to see the final pics! ...Oh by the way it is looking great so far.

It looks really nice. I'm sure you'll have no problem finding someone to take it off of your hands now that you've made it all "spiffy" again.

House went a complete overhaul. Keeping the windows just wasn't feasable as they were rotten in most places. Render paint colour is a Dulux Quilted Calico. Really ties everything in well. Come 1pm the sun shines through the stained glass and it shines a mutlicoloured glow on the floor beneath. We love it. Everything's all but finished and we're heading over tonight to give it a good clean. Carpet runner goes on today and we're all excited to see how it's turned out. Would love to live in it, but onto the next one... Just need to find it now. I look forward to posting the finished photos tomorrow!

Uploaded a few pics and also put a few before and afters up. Let me know your thoughts. Thanks for everyone's help

Amazing job!

Stunning! You have truly done the updating with style. You may have started something in that street! Hope you find your next beauty soon!!

Congratulations, its looks excellent. x

I would love this house. Oh! If I win the lottery I would be on the phone to buy it is't beautiful place.

Looks great!

Uploaded some professional pics here http://www.houzz.com/projects/321646 . Wonder what the market thinks of it?

House is sold and the new owners have moved in!

Brilliant !!

Looks great, but I would have kept the window seat in the front room, and moved the cute Art Deco fireplace into a bedroom. I assume the big hole in the wall is for the new owners to pick their own fireplace?

Didn't realize the yard was so big. Should be a great home for them and congrats on getting it sold quickly.

Have a look at how this house would have been presented in 1928. See if you can find any archives from the firm which designed it. Pebble-dash has a long history of domestic use here, going back to the nineteenth century, and it is possible to renovate it or replace it with modern pebble-dash which looks very handsome. At one time a terrible pink pd was used (later twentieth century), but the look you would be after is a tawny, sandy-beach range of colours.

Your house was built at a time when there was a great taste for creating manageable homes with subtle rustic touches to give a cottagey feel without making extra work for the maid/housewife or actually making it look like a real cottage (which at that time still meant the slums people were escaping as much as anything else.)

The 20s were also a time when the popular taste for half-timbered and timber-framed buildings was very strong. The people who call the buildings in Canada and the US "Tudor" because of the timber decoration on the exterior derive their description from early 20th c useage in Britain.

Real timber-framed etc buildings used render which had to be reparied and repainted pretty constantly. This is where pebble-dash, a vry tough material, comes in. I wouldn't lose it! I'd keep it and clean and mend it. If you get someone in to fix it the old-fashioned way you'll be surprised at the skill it takes (not unlike harling.) Look at the nice way it flares at the bottom so neatly. Don't lose these humble period details, I beg of you. But rethink the porch and hide the burglar-alarm.