If you do put can lights in, put them on a dimmer switch. Take into consideration if you want to hang pendant lights/chandeliers somewhere. Maybe not now, but in the future? What would be a logical place for electrical points in the ceiling for those. Another thought, the beam that's running under the strip of windows (above the half wall) would maybe be nice to put uplighters on? Like in the pic below: An ideabook about lighting (there are more interesting ideabooks about that subject on Houzz), follow the link under the pic: https://www.houzz.com/magazine/5-questions-to-ask-for-the-best-room-lighting-stsetivw-vs~8362447

Thanks for asking.. I am so happy.. the house was so decayed so we decided to rebuild the same look of a 100 year old cottage but move all the living to the front for the river view.. so happy we did it and went for light grey and white and yellow.. so pleased and we have people in the park comment.. we could not go any bigger because of council and flood zone but it makes it special as it is. Some pictures I just took.. I took a picture of the outlook so you can see why it feels just right.. still work to do as in the gardens and just finding the right plants to put in as it is full sun. Will ask for help on that one too to make it feel cottagey but not block the view. Thanks again for asking. Karen

Hi everyone, I'd like to thank you all for your input. Have been a busy spring and summer, but now I'm back and able to focus on the living room. Couple of things have been done/removed since lately: 1. Leather lounge set: I've (luckily) sold the leather lounge set - absolutely great piece with great quality, but not my taste at all. It made a world difference to the living room and even dear hubby, who liked the set, did acknowledge that the difference of less furnitures is great. 2. The rug 3. The white cabinet 4. New curtains with pelmet I love the pelmet although it's old style and yes, the curtains are too short! Will amend this at later stage :) These changes have made a huge impact on the room. Also, I'm also open to change the dining table with chairs for another nice option in an attempt to make this more interesting/cozy/inviting. So, these are the only things that I won't be able to change (we may (note on may) also move house by the end of this year/early next year) # Blinds # Colour of trims and built-in bookcase # Camel back sofa - I'm happy to reupholster it though and change the fabric. This will cost $2000 but I think it's worth it since they are really comfortable and are of good quality. I'd like to integrate the white frame with the gold poster in the design - an idea is to place 3x posters on the biggest wall of the air conditioner. I'm aware that a brown frame may suit the gold poster better, but I'm so tired of the colour brown at this moment. --------- So, I now feel I'm able to adjust as per your suggestions and recommendations much easier now. Appreciate every response and idea (And sorry for the mess of papers on the desk and floor! We're busy professionals and sometimes I have to let my husband have his creative space despite my OCD when it comes to decluttering and keeping it tidy)

Florence Broadhurst patterns are available in both fabric and wallpapers. Florence Broadhurst Available in graphic and bold or eclectic patterns you could consider patterned fabric blinds on the 3 windows and use the same in the kitchen window. Another use could be behind a glass spashback above the kitchen bench. Her modern designs from the 1960's are vibrant and eclectic and are widely available. All of these could be used with the right injection of orange, turquoise and teal to accent the kitchen and tie the rooms together. There are also rugs available in Florence Broadhurst design if you wanted to keep the pattern on the floor and you could add some shutters on the 3 windows for a different look in either whte or charcoal/black.