Random would simply make no sense, and randomly placed or selected items would only stand out, jar your impression or just feel wrong. On the other hand, eclectic pieces need to have a sense of style, that is definite enough to take a shared stage amongst other interesting, unique or beautiful things, perhaps in complete opposition to each other. A strong sense of design is needed to build an underlying theme of a room to use eclectic, seemingly uncoordating pieces to go so well together. I doubt there would be a designer who would think eclectic is the same as random. Although, there are people who have a knack in just putting these spaces together without really being able to articulate why it works, in these cases, the client may question the direction, but results speak for themselves. If it works, it doesn't 'just work' as we say, it is generally very well planned and carefully considered to achieve a random thrown together eclectic room. It can be a celebration of quirky, great, clever or unique in style, colour or design. But the principles to build and coordinate are still necessary to make it work. I personally love bookcases and apocothary drawers, because they house many different objects that I admire for different reasons. They may not all go together, but because they are all houses in one element ( ie bookcase) and they seem to contain their personality on their own niche or shelf, making he overall collection 'eclectic'. However, they are just individual groupings of things that have merit. According to me- the 'collector'. Your eye will define what on what grounds something holds merit, and so real eclectic is determined by you, the client, and never really the designer!

Or if budget allows, why not have both an overhead shower rose from the ceiling and a wall mounted handheld shower head. Hubby prefers overhead shower (and I think most guys do as they don't really care if their hair gets wet) but I don't wash my hair everyday and wanted a wall mounted handheld one, so as we couldn't agree we settled for both with a diverter mixer tap. P.S. the ceiling shower rose we got can be slightly tilted and I think most of them do so you can have it at a bit of an angle. P.P.S. if you can't get both then I would go with a wall mounted handheld shower head as it will be much easier to clean the shower area, can't imagine the practicality of cleaning with an overhead... good luck! :)

Sue, congratulations. You've not only identified a colour you feel happier about, you've actually created it. I suspect you'll now be able to create a pleasing mix of warm greys, plywood browns, stone tones, coppers or bronzes, warm whites, etc; maybe with a bit of yellow added come spring; and you'll be able to live with the brownish sofa until you're ready to update or reupholster. I have some KAS cushion covers from a couple of years ago which show how this kind of colour mix can be done. One has stylised flowers (a la Mexican) in grey, brown and caramel with a touch of burnt orange. (You mention liking ochre.). Another is lighter grey, brown, taupe and bone-white on a natural linen. A third (less subtle) is warm greens with brown, taupe, yellow, white and a little aqua. I'm not saying go for styles that are a few years out of fashion. But do be confident enough to resist a harsh, hard-edged option if a gentler one is right for your temperament and household and the room's aspect. Robyn

Thank you again to everyone for your suggestions, almost all of which have great merit. On reflection, I think removing the old fence is fraught with potential drama, not the least of which is if the idiot neighbour decides to remove the screen which is wholly within his property, we are left without a fence. Many of you seem to have difficulty understanding my reluctance to force the removal of the illegal screen. In an ideal world that is what should happen but as I have already explained my health is up the creek at the moment (never underestimate the effect a tiny mosquito can have on your previously rather pleasant life) and I have learned the hard way with a previous neighbour in another State that councils have limited power and/or care factor when it comes to issues such as this. A threatening letter with no follow up, which was what happened with another non-life threatening issue several years ago ended in an enemy being made with whom I had to live side by side until eventually I sold my house. I am thinking of using several suggestions which will mean bolting new uprights to my side of the existing fence and attaching a lightweight screen of some sort and growing a creeper or preferably a tree in the existing garden bed to the right of the bench which will help replace what we have lost (we being me and the king parrots). Thank you to Bill for the links to the Bunnings screens, I’m heading in there tomorrow to have a closer look. Again, thank you to all!