Without knowing exactly what your layout is, I throw this idea up, to be shot down by those who know better than I do. You have "a beautiful navy two seater." You have a new baby on the way. You're on a tight budget. Why not keep your existing furniture, buy a nice chair to fill up the gaps, and an inexpensive carpet which will withstand baby issues? To me, a home is something to be lived in, that fits my lifestyle and my budget. If my home isn't every going to figure in a design magazine (and it isn't), that's okay, because I don't want to be sitting up nights worrying about bills, or splashing out money for cheap furniture that looks good but doesn't last past the second child.

I would start by looking at colours you love. Plants and greenery is not everyones taste, but it may be yours. You can put it in a vase, basket or something that adds texture and also keep in mind the size needed for the overall picture. It is better to choose things you can easily move if and when the time comes, so heavy earth filled ones will perhaps cause you some issues if moving on your own or if you have a rental with stairs. Getting back to colours - if you want a neutral colour scheme then make that the foundation you start with (like a blank canvas). In the photo, your room appears to have a neutral colour scheme at present for your bed, cushions, carpet etc. You can make it warm and cozy with contrasting cushions, throw, or plants but this is not necessary if you want to stick to all neutrals. Neutral colours generally have warmth added with shades of darker colours that enhance or act as contrast. These can be variations of one colour, picking up a flow that is good to the eye. Brown can be the contrast if you choose or you could have another choice that adds just that bit of dark and light. You may want to choose items that bring in texture as well as colour contrast. Pick out the colour of your accessories (wall art, flowers, candles or what you like) and have them work with, instead of being totally alienated from the whole. Drapes/curtains/blinds generally come with the rental property, so if these are neutral in colour, they should work with other colours you choose. If you are looking for warmth, choose warm colours; if cool, then choose cool colours for bed linen etc. Warm colours generally go with warm colours and cool colours with cool ones. Often they do not mix. As mentioned previously the same colour can be used but perhaps different shades, to produce light and dark. Tidiness is a habit we all would like to adopt, not always easy if you lead a busy life, but when time permits, put things away that need to be and it will make the whole picture also a bit clearer for you to work out what you want to create. Going to shop displays or searching the internet for ideas is also a great help. Often one can immediately say you like something or you don't. By doing this you will learn what your taste is and work along those lines. Photos are an excellent help to yourself as well as to shop assistants who are ready to advise what may work. Let us know how you get on and would love a photo too.

I think as long as the white tiles are the same in each room, and the turquoise and grey tiles are similar shape and size, then that, would be sufficient consistency. I actually like the idea. I liken it to having rooms painted a different colour, but each has the same flooring. By the way, I wish I had gone with my gut and tiled the laundry floor charcoal grey. Instead I listened to builder and hubby who said we should use white to make the room seem bigger. Just seems bigger for me to clean more often, in my opinion lol!

Hi Sharyn, Your original question was, "who do I get quotes from?". You have two broad options; One is a "design and construct" one stop shop similar to one of your earlier respondents. This has the convenience of dealing with a single point of contact for the project, but does not readily allow for obtaining multiple quotes. The other is a more traditional approach where you engage a professional designer to prepare plans, scope of work schedules, product selections and arrange necessary approvals. This leads to a comprehensive package of information for obtaining quotes from several builders. Without a good set of documentation defining the scope of work it is impossible for a builder to provide a tight quote. Some builders are reluctant to quote unless approvals are in place. The project is simply too speculative until the leg-work has been done. Unlike the one stop shop, you pay fees and charges up front to your designer and for council approvals. You will have a consultant agreement with your designer as well as a separate contract with your builder. Unfortunately with small projects the non-building costs (design, approvals, etc.,) can become a significant percentage of the overall budget, particularly if you want several quotes on an apples for apples basis. At this point you need to decide if you want full control of the process with multiple quotes to compare, in which case you need to appoint a designer, or, are you happy to outsource the project (provided the price is within reason) to minimise the hassle, in which case a "design builder" could be the way to go. I am happy to talk this through with you if you want to give me a call. We are both in Brisbane.