Miranda You appear to be making all the right choices in life. I will be a little bit presumptuous by offering some advice on helping you to raise your child in touch with nature in this age full of all the electronic lures that keep the kids indoors. or, when outdoors, glued to a small screen, rather than the glory that surrounds them. I am writing a book about landscape architecture and have a section regarding the importance of embracing nature in the preschool years. - which I would like to forward that section to you. However, my computer skills are limited to email and US Mail. I don't even know how to attach a picture to the text. If you would like to receive this draft from my future book, send me your email or postal address, and I'll get it right off to you. My email is cascio.offsite@gmail.com Good luck with your new challenges and opportunities. Joe Cascio

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

The mirror is the wrong size for the mantle. There was a Houzz article some time back on sizing mirrors above fireplaces. First, you need to decide whether you want a mirror, a large picture, or a collection of objects on the mantle. For a mirror, it would need to be much larger. The upright edges of the mirror's frame should be the same width as the corbles under the mantle. The bottom of the mirror should be at least 150mm above the mantle and the top edge of the mirror approx 200mm below the cornice. Working with what you have got, try turning your existing mirror so the long edge is across the chimney wall and at least 150mm above the mantle. Petapea's idea of a round mirror is great and will alleviate lining mirror edges up with the mantle or fireplace. Otherwise, try styling the mantle and wall with assymetry. The sofa is out of whack with the other chairs/furniture given there does not appear to be a TV in the room. It looks too big for the space and is pushed up against the wall to fit it in. A large 3 seater sofa with feet similar to the chairs would be better. The sofa would then be visually smaller, there would be flow around it, and it would make the space look bigger as you will see more floor. Do you need a rug? Get rid of the rug or get one that fits under the legs of your "new sofa" and the other two chairs. A glass top coffee table with silver/bronze legs will be more sophisticated and make the space look larger too. Good luck.

I love the colours you suggest and they would really make the corner pop. Make it personal. Be brave. Options; Wall mounted boxes or floating shelves to display some colourful treasures above toddler height. Pinterest search 'Wall display Boxes" The next 2 sound a bit hippie but you can do them with your toddler and if they get pulled down noone gets hurt. - Fabric collage on a sore bought canvas with pieces of velvet, satin, silk in your favourite colours. Finding some vintage fabrics or op shop clothes to cut up is a cheap activity and add you can even add some bling or go with a geometric art deco style.Again Pinterest has great images. - Patchwork quilt style wall hanging eg.https://www.instagram.com/jenkingwell/?hl=en