I'll have the same dilemma when I eventually move. The first thing that I will be doing is buying some large, neutral coloured rugs, probably jute or sisal (or similar), to help juxtapose the light timber floors with the dark timber furniture. I think having a "break" between the two timber styles/colours is a good idea. I'll personally be aiming for some kind of combined Japanese and Scandinavian interior design. Here are a few photos which I'm intended on referencing to create an aethestically pleasing space with my existing furniture (until I can afford to replace it over time): [https://www.houzz.com.au/photos/home-design-the-azumi-asian-living-room-perth-phvw-vp~12023403[(https://www.houzz.com.au/photos/home-design-the-azumi-asian-living-room-perth-phvw-vp~12023403) [https://www.houzz.com.au/photos/home-design-the-azumi-asian-living-room-perth-phvw-vp~12023627[(https://www.houzz.com.au/photos/home-design-the-azumi-asian-living-room-perth-phvw-vp~12023627) [https://www.houzz.com.au/photos/home-design-the-azumi-asian-family-room-perth-phvw-vp~12023359[(https://www.houzz.com.au/photos/home-design-the-azumi-asian-family-room-perth-phvw-vp~12023359) [https://www.houzz.com.au/photos/home-design-the-azumi-asian-entry-perth-phvw-vp~12023440[(https://www.houzz.com.au/photos/home-design-the-azumi-asian-entry-perth-phvw-vp~12023440) [https://www.houzz.com.au/photos/wheelers-hill-project-contemporary-dining-room-melbourne-phvw-vp~15173340[(https://www.houzz.com.au/photos/wheelers-hill-project-contemporary-dining-room-melbourne-phvw-vp~15173340) [https://www.houzz.com.au/photos/wheelers-hill-project-contemporary-dining-room-melbourne-phvw-vp~15173334[(https://www.houzz.com.au/photos/wheelers-hill-project-contemporary-dining-room-melbourne-phvw-vp~15173334) [https://www.houzz.com.au/photos/vaucluse-residence-i-contemporary-living-room-sydney-phvw-vp~10839233[(https://www.houzz.com.au/photos/vaucluse-residence-i-contemporary-living-room-sydney-phvw-vp~10839233) [https://www.houzz.com.au/photos/the-boulevard-contemporary-dining-room-melbourne-phvw-vp~3024359[(https://www.houzz.com.au/photos/the-boulevard-contemporary-dining-room-melbourne-phvw-vp~3024359) Good luck. I'd like to see what you eventually do.

Aside from how you want your kitchen to function, you need to consider what depths and hues can do for a space. Basically if you have high ceilings, darker cabinetry for your overheads can really draw the eye upward and highlight the feature but if your ceilings are standard it can feel heavy and encroach the negative space. Lighter overheads will reflect the light so the negative space will feel larger. Dark colours are also used to create depth in a room, to draw it back further visually. In my opinion darker lowers would work if you like the two tone look, it will break up the light flooring. Keep in mind you don't have to use colours that are contrasting, try pulling samples together that are a few shades deeper in harmonious hues, much like your picture provided. When it comes to the splash back you can opt for a texture in similar colour family to create interest without adding too many colours. Perhaps a penny round, hexagon, hand made subway or the same stone you choose for the benches. Don't stress about paint colours right now as there are thousands that you can choose to complement your kitchen. Hope this helps!

Unless you live like animals, carpet does not 'harbour' a single living organism. It's a scientific fact. It's your bed that harbours organisms. Carpet acts like an air filter for dust, waiting for you to vacuum it out. Timber flooring allows dust to be constantly stirred up into the air in the home unless you vacuum and mop daily. At the end of the day, go with what you like- carpet in bedrooms and not in high traffic areas is logical. I've manufactured carpet for years and wholesale carpet and hard flooring. There is a lot of misinformation out there about all flooring types. Happy to answer any queries.

The most interesting thing is the driveway ! The roof is quite pleasant too , and the maroony red tiles ( and the screen door ) at the front door aren't too bad either . Everyone is different , but here's what I would do . Leave the drive , demolish the Olympic winners steps -- ooops , I meant the letterbox sorry . There looks to be a 'natural' line around the bricks , in line with the top of the steps ? Basically , I'd do every brick from there down in the same charcoal as your roof . And continue through by doing the window sills the same . That will lower the look . Do the screen door and garage door the same . While you are there , do the side fences 'the same' charcoal , I can't work out if the fences are render , colourbond , timber , all 3 ? You can get paint or stain to suit , anyway . Everyone else has dismissed the white picket fence , but I'd do it -- with a variation . I'd do brick columns around 800 tall ( any brick will do , as long as it looks the smae size and shape as your house bricks ) , except for one with a built-in letterbox that would be a bit over 1 metre tall . These columns would be say 1.8 metres apart ( so around about 8 across your front edge ) , and painted the same grey as your house . And no surprise -- between these columns , set back around 100mm ( not flush across the front ) you run 2 100mm x 100mm white beams between each , with your white pickets nailed to them . Your street number in a large brass or stainless number on the letterbox , and it all looks planned . And then , you can do your gardens , stepping stones , water feature , whatever takes your fancy -- personally , I'd do something with colour ( green plants , red leaved plants , yellow grasses , an orange gloss large pot , etc ) , but thats up to you .