I think concrete makes a fantastic surface in wet areas, and looks even better in high traffic areas. The feel of a raw or honed concrete underfoot is amazing, and the unpretentious look in well designed spaces is earthy and contemporary. There are so many possibilities for colour, finish, inclusions and add ins, heated or non heated etc, that the beauty of concrete almost matches stone. For me, a huge concern is foundation movement, if on a slab, there is bound to be ground settlement and often hair line cracks can shift and become noticeable, patching is obvious and really just highlights a fault joint, basically destroying an entire floor, and leaving you with the option to tile or lay flooring over it anyway. An expensive excercise just to end up where you started. the veneer version can be laid on both pre finished slabs, fc surfaces and even timber, but the flexible movement and expansion that occurs often voids the warranty on its finish, I've investigated this option for myself, and basically th client takes the risk, and hopes for the best. As far as concerns regarding hardness goes, hardness =durability, so plates smashing will occur as it would on every other floor surface! There are large scale porcelain tiles that have a pre finished concrete look, really large as in 3000mm x 1500mm, minimising grout lines, and will be somewhat warmer underfoot. Cost is really high, so it needs to be something on your wish list, and where No compromise can be or will be made. love concrete..time worn and tested.

Hi there. How lucky are you to be able to redo an area for yourself. The floors are great as that will bring a real modern feel to the house. Make sure you keep it light and bright as you said the home is small and small homes can look very tiny with large furniture and dark colours. The blue sofa will be a striking and very comfy addition to the room. West elm is great with rugs as is pottery barn but west end is a little modern (they are owned by the same place). Try to add white side tables with striking blue decor to make the sofa pop more. If budget allows i would change the table to a gorgeous light wood. Add some amazing cushions to add the homely feel best of luck

apennameandthata i don't know... vertical is more shed like style, while we still have a colonial style base and veranda. Dust will be an issue here (although its not so bad in that particular spot on a river, good protection from trees) but pressure wash will be regular practice anyway. Thanks for all your suggestions and I will take all on board, especially sandstone ideas. I don't this I want this house to look pretentious, but how can I describe that, I am after some subtle "wow" factor or something a bit different, but it must look like we knew what we are doing and YES, I want it to look like high quality build and not a transportable house or kit home. The house rectangle is so simple that I worry it may have that boring factor in its looks and that is why I am looking for some ideas. My problem is a tendency to overthink but I hope I will find a balance at some point :) At this stage I think: galvanised tin everywhere (or that zincalum), rusty steel posts, aluminum windows with timber look, sandstone features around main door and sandstone chimney. We had a big flood last year and the spot never goes under water, its on high grounds even though it is only meters from the river.

The covering of the sofa is less important than the style - go for one that is long enough to lie down on, not too puffy and not a corner suite. The key thing with your dining furniture is to have the same colour legs on your sofa - there is often choice of stain or most places can arrange this for you sometimes oiling it yourself is an option. I have found sourcing nice dining furniture can be more challenging than couches so I would do that first- remember you don't have to match the table with chairs you can mix and match which is usually more interesting. A relatively neutral couch is a good idea but think about durability - personally i am not a fan of black couches unless they are light in frame- they can really dominate your room. If you want lighter style of furniture try places that do retro - mid century as they seem to be smaller and lighter in appearance. Bring in some texture and colour with cushions a clock, a throw rug and art work - but don't rush - take your time finding the right thing. all the best