I can only comment about the cowhide rug idea as that's my area of expertise. Cowhide are still going very strong as a design trend, they haven't been overdone in my opinion. Also cowhide rugs break all the normal rules of standard rugs because they are an organic shape. So they visually take up more room than they physically occupy. So you don't need a cowhide rug to be as large as a wool rug. They also look better on a 45 degree angle to furniture and it is OK for one or several legs to go underneath furniture as this can anchor a group of furniture. For how to clean a cowhide rug there is some great info on my website plus a video that is really interesting.

Thank you so much. I am standing in my kitchen looking at my shelves and you are so right. Why are all my items so short?? Rookie mistake. I will some height and depth. The rug is bring updated. I'm thinking something with creams or even tan and yes bigger is way better. I think I'll swap the chairs and couch as suggested. I like the light that comes in from that window when the chairs are there but I do think the space looks better with the chairs across from the fireplace . And we are looking for bigger, more comfy (but still modern) chairs diff colour. Thank you again!!

I voted the first Persian style rug as I think its purple colour will look great in your room and against your wood furniture. I chose it over the second Persian rug as it's plainer - as you already have a very interesting table base and chairs, I don't think you need anything with too distracting a pattern. But I think it would add something exotic to what is already an interesting and eclectic room.

Rachael, you’re very welcome! It was fun to draw up. As far as layering photos, I wasn’t suggesting you cover one photo with another, (what is the point of having beautiful photos and memories then! Lol) rather, overlap the edges of the frames (both are quite wide from your photos) so that they are connected without obscuring the images within. Hope that makes sense! What a difference just painting that back wall makes! It really opens up the room now. I think the few bricks around your fireplace now is a very charming feature. It keeps the charm of the original while bringing the rest of the room into a fresh new era! Well done! I would suggest running a long extension chord for your tv for now while you try out a new layout for the space if there are no powerpoints on the far wall, just to be sure you like the arrangement. Can’t wait to see updated images of your new space!