Brick is highly regarded as an exterior on houses. Many buildings use exterior brick decoratively (faced with brick) and inner construction not brick. http://www.houzz.com/exterior-brick

I am building a house in a warm climate, I have heard concrete walls are cost effective but absorbs heat a lot. I am considering CSEB - Compressed Stabilized Earth Blocks. Is there way to paint the CSEB wall that look and last like a cement plastered modern wall without having cement plastered? I have heard using some agent like waterproofing liquid, grey cement coarse putty will help. Looking forward to expert opinion

Trick is not to choose bright white or standard white but something with a tinge of yellow or green. Cotton wool colour L104 by Asian is a great example we have used time and again. Most emulsions come in matt, including the most economical ones such as Asian Tractor and Apcolite. Don't let the price of a paint fool you.

name some vintage effects paints