Yes stripes are lovely - but they are still plain! Florals present a more complex, interesting and spirited style! I love the mix of colour, the non-uniformity of design and the fact that they can offer a contained platform for what is often the only pattern in an otherwise non-patterned room! Here's a small pic where you can just see my blinds. The interior designer was insisting on beige and white stripes (similar width to the blue ones above) as she said they would go with whatever decor/colour I used in the room and would still look contemporary in 20 years time. All I could think was that I will hate their boringness for 20 years! I chose a botanical print - as I think it won't date. The duck-egg blue background is calming and the detail has allowed me to pick up on lots of other colours (such as burgundy rug/lounge).

I love what you've done so far - I would, however, change the light frame to a black one and add matting that is the same colour as the red in your hallway print that will tie your hall way and dining area together in a subtle way as well as making the print bigger - you could take the matt out by upto 15cm (more if you're brave) and the frame width of between 2cm up to 10 (again depending on how brave you are). As it's a rather large wall you can go bigger with the matt and frame as your wall can take it and you've been restrained with the rest of your colour and material pallet. Your plants are lovely but they're lost down on the floor in the corner - if you can boost them up (I've found pots turned upside down work and have also been known to use old pottery sewer pipes painted - they're totally clean of course!) so that they're a feature rather than an afterthought.

Thank you Lizzy, I can see your point. If I had my way, the speakers would go and I would have more discreet. I am not sure what you mean about moving the right hand couch closer. Do you mean move it closer to the right side? The heaters can't be painted however I realise we need to paint the walls. Not sure whether we could just do the same colour down the bottom as what is on top, which would be easy. If it is a complete colour change, that would mean painting the window frames etc, the blinds would have to come down, and it is all too hard. I would like to make the side table more of a focus however that is where my husband sits, so I can't crowd it too much. A new rug is definitely on the list once I get back to work. I would also like to change the coffee table, however it is great storage. I know I need to work on dressing it up a bit. Lizzy, I love your idea of the shelves. Thank you for your inspirational photos. I will look into that. I will also look at changing out the speakers. Thank you so much ladies for your input, I really appreciate it. I find this all very difficult and wish I could just wave a magic want.

Thank you for al your suggestions: Our budget is around $30K not sure how realistic that is - haven't had any quotes yet. I'm thinking if I don't need to change windows it might help cut costs a bit. My inspriation kitchen is a HedgersConstructions HOme that was featured on Grand Designs in Glen Waverly Waimarie..way out of our budget but I love the quirkiness of the design - the coffee nook, the large island bench, ...the colours....love it. OKLouise : I quite like your idea - although not sure about the seating nook and smaller linen cupboards? The current dining window is floor to ceiling. Kate - I forgot to mention I love the windows and view in that corner so am trying to avoid taking putting a corner pantry in there but I can see why you've gone that route - it seems obvious to do that. I've thought about making space for a kitchen pantry somehow by using the dining space. As it's a sunken room I would need to consider raising the floor for so that the kitchen/family room would all be on one level. NOt sure?? Yes the current dining room is quite long and has 2 doorways either side so it loses practical usable space. Siriuskey & CP: Here's the whole house plan. The outside entertaining area is accessed via the steps next to the meals area. 3DA Design Drafting & 3D visuals - does tha plan put the family room where the dining room currently is? The rumpus room downstairs has evolved over the years as our kids have grown up, left home and returned with partners! Not sure what to do with it long term but it's a big space with lots of potential. At the moment it's been transformed into a bedsitter kind of apartment space for adult children between homes - so any suggestions on how we could transform the space long term there would also be greatly appreciated. .