It is way too time consuming, even worse than this website. I'm lucky my dd being in the States brings me out fabulous stuff at a fraction of the price here. I am actually expected to keep up and I send her photos of what I have done - the ones she really likes she copies to save her heaps of time. Try to keep the written memories and milestones, they are the things you forget the fastest, just a notebook does and when you get time down the track you can put it all together. DD made me laugh, she was so confident once the eldest started school she would have sooooooo much time and there would be far less activities to photo......... ha!! she is busier than ever she helps out at school, there is some family activity every week and Miss 6 has become involved in so many after school activities - piano, art, Girl Scouts, soccer, baseball, basketball, swimming plus play dates and parties, DD's feet hardly touch the ground. As well there are always family and friends travelling and visiting.

@oskuee - Wow - that's a bit hostile! Why are you so upset? Other professionals constantly add their comments and suggestions to Design Dilemmas, so why can't I? There are MANY names which appear constantly in nearly every Design Dilemma. I see you have made 1150 comments yourself! This Houzzer has asked for artwork ideas and that is precisely what I am providing. I am giving them advice as to what may/may not work in their space. I'm a hard working Australian Artist trying to make a living, like everybody else and I'm a little frustrated with people sending others to places selling mass produced art, when Australia is rich with creative talent. Shouldn't we be supporting the work of Australian Artists? Original artworks need not be expensive and I don't believe everybody needs to go to the majors for a cheap artwork. I offer affordable art for any size budget. If you have a problem, please send me a direct email.

Indeed - you have a wonderful blank, contemporary canvas there Olivia! We'd whole heartedly agree that you start with an artwork that you love and use that to guide the colour scheme / the other accent pieces such as rugs and cushions. You might like to start here for some inspiration: https://www.signarture.com.au/pages/interior-design-and-decorating-ideas. And you needn't go for colour impact if that's not you: these treescapes of ours were used to augment the client's tonally neutral palette. Do reach out if anything in our collections resonates with you.

You've got some great pieces that add interest and personality, I LOVE those teal glazed lamps and your little woodblock-looking prints above the lounge are gorgeous... and I even love your lounge! (I'm sure you've tried this, but would a bit of if and a leather restorer help a little? But a bit of wear shows it's a real home not a display home! ; D). I'd build on what you have.. Remove the lime & navy cushions, the pastel & dark clashes a bit too much. I'd find one that's a true turquoise similar to your lamps plus another that's navy (but not furry) I love this https://www.target.com.au/p/beach-luxe-velvet-cushion-45cm/59751557(I have it in a light turquoise from last summer as in the photo below and it's really nice quality velvet (I hate cheap feeling squeaky velvet!), backed with a natural linen-style fabric. I LOVE this image for inspiration for your place but of course it's your style so you need to do what reflects you! The subtle tones would tie in with your existing pieces and colour scheme, the neutral classic style lounge, the Noguchi coffee table, amazing turquoise lamps, soft brass elements, your lovely paper prints, and then add some velvet cushions in complementary tones. Then add an accent cushion. There's lots of options obviously that could work well and can set the direction (I hate to say theme (!)) for any other elements you want to add. Here's some examples: 1) You could go a pared back, very contemporary cool look like the photo above, playing with texture and subtle tones then simply add an interesting tone to your basic mix above - the ochre velvet cushion is amazing. 2) You could go a bit luxurious, continuing the navy with a bit of gold patterning that would also tie in with your coffee table vase and a bit of lift. I'm sure I've seen some Art Deco style simple linear patterns printed on a navy cotton or linen. OR a bit of a Art deco or Palm Springs vibe with a gorgeous Florence Broadhurst print OR finally a curve ball (!!) this parrot cushion could look interesting and would take your turquoise lamps and rattan side tables in another more traditional plantation direction (look up India Hicks home n the Bahamas or somewhere ridiculously amazing like that for insp.!), very different to the other 2 looks, it's up to what you like of course!! Then I would take your little woodblock prints and re-frame them in larger rectangular frames (so more of the mat) and arrange them in a line over the lounge so they take up more of that big wall space above the lounge. They're lovely so need to be made into more of a feature at the moment they're too lost and randomly placed on the walls to be appreciated, and tie in beautifully with your other pieces (and even the cushion directions mentioned above). Or you could even leave in their current frames and incorporate them into a gallery wall like the contemporary cool photo and mix with some black & white personal photos, a tonal abstract print/drawing or anything else you love. I also think a new rug would make a huge difference, though I know it's not a cheap update. But a larger rug that fits under the front of your lounge and armchairs would make it even more cohesive. A large sisal rug would be subtle and would work beautifully with all 3 of the styles I've mentioned: the more classic velvet feel (even though it may feel too rustic in isolation, they can look quite traditional and work well) or even if you liked the curveball plantation style would be ideal! Ikea have them in a variety of sizes and textures and they're easy to maintain and are relatively wallet-friendly - the Osted style is a great one. You'll have it for years and it's so versatile as your style /house/tastes change - coastal, Hamptons, Scandi, classic, even kid friendly should you need that! If you're feeling really crafty, you could metallic gold spray paint your planter (the copper is jarring a little with me but gold would tie in better. Trust me, it comes up really well! If you got really adventurous you could even do your for lamp by the dining table would come up well. Even the dining chair legs (but that is a bit of a risk as they're functional, and risk getting scraped!) and could look weird. Finally, I'd remove a couple of things clutter wise: the nest tables between the recliners (though one may look better if the rug extends that far), the plant stand by the windows (a few plants clustered in the corner could be lovely though). Then for the dining area, I'd replace the table vase with a cluster of stoneware small vases in a matte ceramic glaze carrying through your colours of soft turquoise, grey, navy etc or even a white marble. I love these from Ikea, the ceramic and shape ties in with your lamps too and would work with either the Contemporary Cool or the luxe styles. not so much for the Plantation style, but there's lots of options that would suit that. Then finally for the dining table, a lower pendant light would look amazing over that great round dining table and would really define the space and add a bit of drama! Again, there's so many options depending on what style you want to go with... A good (and not too expensive) option could be the Ikea Sinnerlig as it would add a bit of wood softness to your dark chairs and white slick table. It would fit in with the Contemporary Cool, the plantation, or in the new Ikea catalogue they've even painted it gold to fit in a dark luxe setting which would go beautifully with that Florence Broadhurst rattan pattern. Then finally the poor plant on the bench I'd move elsewhere and put a little bowl of succulents. I got a lovely one at Ikea, Lagerbarr, and also a little pot of mixed succulents from there (though now needs some TLC!), I move it around the house all the time, here it is on my hall table (Kmart special! ; D) at the moment: Have fun and please send us After photos!!