Hi Emma, I've changed it for you!

2 comments and I am already lost. What is your measurement system? How has Gioenne changed it? Do you own? or do you rent? Do you feel you need the dining room?

Measurements are in Metres. Gionne moved it from before and after. We own. The "dining room" is teeny tiny, all I have in there is a desk cause you can't fit a table of a decent size. See why I need advice?? :)

It's only myself and Hubby, we have a big dining table in what is called the "family room" on the plans and is on the left of the kitchen. The entry is the width of the single front door. It is mostly the area marked as lounge on the plans that I want to change as currently we dont use it a lot, I use it mainly for reading..

Can you take out the half wall between dining room and lounge? That would make the area more usable. Then, new flooring in the dining room to tie it together,. You might think about replacing the sofa with a couple of chairs as well.

then why do the dining room at all, don't be stuck with the names on the sheet. Make a library or bar or music room in that dining room, maybe an office? If you want a formal dining space you can haul tables out? just trying to give more space to lounge.

Ok, so you don't need a tv in the lounge right? Is there glass in the wall to the foyer? What do you intend to do in the lounge, you say you read in it. Why not turn all the space in to Library and art? the 2 comfy chairs, a small table in the lounge or dining room, like maybe a cafe table, 2 sit at for coffee or paperwork with nonfriends. You know, the insurance man, tax acct., donations, that kind of stuff.

Are you keeping the couch? Do you have a material in mind for the chairs? How big is the front window? Oh I know, I sound like I am picking you to death, but all will be asking this. If it were my space, I would eliminate the dining room put half book shelves everywhere for books then hang the top of all walls with art. But is that agreeable to you? Oh yes, I forgot budget? I think I already know your colors. Blues, white, gray, right? Talk soon! the rest of the gang should be in before you know it.

Am certainly happy to digress from names on the sheet, that's the original house plan from 15 years ago. It was the best illustration I had for the shape of the room.

The couch is going and I am keeping the chairs as I've just bought them, thanks Jim. It was their fault that I decided the whole room needed something!!

The window is big - about 2 metres (about 7 feet) almost square.

Library and Art sounds right up my alley! You are spot on with the colours. No TV in the lounge. No need with books right?? :) I love the idea of extra book shelves.

There's no glass in the wall to the foyer, it's a strange little gap in the wall.

Currently in the "dining room" space I have a desk, I'll try to take photos later. That room also has a set of glass "french" doors that lead out to my patio.

Oooh the B word.. hmm, I'm happy to spend some for a new rug, painting, bookshelves and new upholstery for the chairs. But I'm not talking structural renovation at this point, does that give an idea? I think eventually removing the small wall with be on the cards, just not at the moment, I think that will cost too much especially with redoing the tiled floor in the "dining" area.

think you can make or find stained glass for that spot, no fuzzy children I guess, how about a largish sculpture or a nice vase for flowers? or do an unusual shelf arrangement, various glass, either colored or cut crystal?

so library and art sounds like the ticket. If you do not have a lot of guests to formally entertain you just stick with those adorable chairs, how unusual they are never saw any quite like those! Now on my screen they appear to be a rusty color pattern. it is very nice, not appealing to you? If not lets start with that and the opening to the entrance way. no? Want me to look for some shelf ideas, or you know what you want already?

are they going to hop on the shelves?

unfortunately this is a standing shelf. But if you all are creative, you can build this in your wall opening?

Bookcase Search Results | Overstock.com, Page 1 · More Info

i have another idea, that I think is cool, i am very big into hacking/diying to get what I want. So you have to use imagination sometimes.

take this:

one example of pattern

MD Building Products 12 in. x 24 in. Union Jack Aluminum Sheet in Silver-56008 - · More Info

MD Building Products 12 in. x 24 in. Union Jack Aluminum Sheet in Silver-56008 - · More Info

You affix this to the open space, add shelf clips, place glass shelves on it. use under cabinet lights, place items on shelves and you will get this light drama from the glass, without everyone who comes to the door starting in your home. good?

ok, unless you have a good source for wall shelves in your country, can you tell me where you are, so I can help look? Oh, and is the tall shelf finished or is it au natural? If not finished, how do you plan on finishing?

so, yes, I am torn between which i like better, though I think second might be easiest handyman wise, no? I am going to use that same metal along with a flourescent light cover i will cut up to make an mcm light for my front door. I adore filigree type stuff. Oh yes, your room looks like it tends to be a little dark, no? Are you like north facing or something like that? How do you feel about some sort of overhead chandelier or pendent. i even know a couple hacks for them. i think it would just add some more grace to the room, we can go formal or cash...

did not think of that could put a lighting fixture in that space, like the one you saw in my ideabook. I put that in there, cause I can hack it it. Using the same metal I showed you. Also, I found this corner shelf of glass ($13, 95), so if you put the metal in back, clip one to the metal and one to the wall, then do that on both sides. then the next shelf up could be a straight one. do 2 or 3 rows like this. Could be cool! maybe you could make cheaper, clips not hard, it is the glass. Have you tried stained glass?, it is fairly easy to cut but, how much do you have to practise?

Floating Corner Shelves - Bathroom - GBM® Tile, Glass and Natural Stone · More Info

The design looks similar to a home we lived in many years ago - without the wall on right of front door and half wall across living/dining.

The dining room - we turned into a study and with a corner suite divided the rooms.

The living room (I call it the sitting room) had a bookcase against the kitchen wall, with one large chair angled with its back to front door. Those were the days when a planter pole was in vogue and that was the divide at the front door.

I would be removing the half wall dividing the two rooms - making the room look larger. New carpet throughout and your newly upholstered chairs; an occasional table and a bookcase. And don't forget some artwork on the wall where your bookcase currently sits.

here is one of them.

Baxton Studio Lindy Modern Display Shelf, 3-Tier · More Info

Sorry got caught up with work/life etc..

Thanks for your ideas kooky_karen

I am likingyour bookshelf ideas, I think the current one is too large for the space and makes the room look smaller.

Im off to a home show this weekend to look for ideas, might even drop into ikea.

First I am off to get rid of the couch! :)

what did you think of the one with the toys, might seem silly but there are lots of cool little stuff too. And maybe we could get larger ones. But yeah Ikea is a great place for everything. have fun. Don't forget the measurements.

well, maybe you could do a different finish, but i was thinking in the window opening you have. Although such a thing would be nice other places if it is what you want. i thought you were doing tons of art? i figured we would try to find half book cases for the walls with art above, no? a couple foot rests for your chairs. then a table between the two. then your room would seem much larger and yet more cozy, no?

yeah! Ok, so what i envision right now is the two chairs on the far wall, one actually in front of the pony wall the other on the back wall, angled towards each other. table and light between the two. two foot stools in front of them. then the tall case on the wall that backs the kitchen.

1/2 cases on either side of the window, does one fit under the window or not? Maybe one under that window to the foyer. Will this give enough room for the books?

Decisions to look at now:

Do you want an accent wall?

Have you found fabric for the chairs, or decided we need to work with what is on there.

what colors do you want for the paint?

i think that the two chairs on the end wall looks good, no? Then you can look out the window if you wish, but don't have to. I love the box shelves, but are they not pricey? I was thinking of half shelves much like you already have, just on other walls so the tall one can go there?

i could not find tea and cream to work with. Saw one pic, calling it Wexler? or something like that went to their site and they said they did not have. I felt it was coming out a bit pink, so I went back to Behr. I know that you probably don't have that paint, but I understand that places over there can go from chips or maybe get the formula, like they do over here. Here is a threesome I came up with, tell me what you think. I am doing the best from the computer regarding the rust color on the chairs too.

BEHR Premium Plus 8 oz. #P210-7 Japanese Koi Interior/Exterior Paint Sample-PP10 · More Info

BEHR Premium Plus Ultra 8 oz. Home Decorators Collection Nocturne Blue Interior/ · More Info

The blue though we can change if you like, what do you think, I hope it says I think it is nocturne?

Color to replace tea and cream. Explorer's khaki, sounds more exciting than it may really be.

BEHR Premium Plus Ultra 1-gal. #N330-4 Explorer Khaki Flat Exterior Paint-485401 · More Info

The rust is merely a match for your chairs to coordinate paints to. does it match your chairs, if not do you think the paint colors will go?

It will match, its darker than the chairs, I have a cushion that colour on one of them at the moment.

see, what i like about foot stools is that if you combine them with something flat and solid you have a coffee table. you can store things in them and you can move them around. The flat can be trays or used cutting boards,that you sand down. Anything solid, that you can hang on the wall or store in the kitchen in the meantime, or slip between the bookshelves and the wall.

Do you get walmart where you are? Otherwise we can look other places, even thrift stores care things

So here is an example, not sure this is not a little modern for you?

Eclectic Family Room · More Info

these are everywhere, $20-30. easy to play with, many colors and patterns

Modus Urban Seating Folding Storage Cube in Chocolate Leatherette · More Info

Ore International Oak Foot Stool with Storage - Walmart.com · More Info

No Walmart in Oz :( :( Our equivalent is BigW they are quite similar but dont have as big a range. I will keep an eye out. I think I like the modern ones, I'd like to get a mix of things hopefully I can pull it off :)

i was afraid i lost you emma, i wonder if bookmarking would help. Still recovering from the week. Did you still want the blue wall if you are keeping the orange on the chairs? I too am nuts about blue, but some people feel they don't pop enough or something. To me blue is like gray or beige, everything goes with blue. tehehe

ok, guess what?! Pronto.com ships to au. i put in free, max $40, but i tried over there, I truly did, Big W is not Walmart by any stretch. Above foot stool same price ship to you for free, yeah! so, here is a bunch others, tell me if you want me to pull off. I also have an idea book for you called lounge.

shipping furniture to australia, Pronto.com · More Info

shipping furniture to australia, Pronto.com · More Info

shipping furniture to australia, Pronto.com · More Info

shipping furniture to australia, Pronto.com · More Info

shipping furniture to australia, Pronto.com · More Info

All are within range of bottom though so no guilt. I swear if i lived there, I would be living in a box, saving to get something to sit on.

the squat rectangular one? i was talking about #2. but tis your room and i picked it, cause i figure it would go. I don't remember price, but max was $40 with free shipping, so if you don't find used, here are some good choices. i forgot to look up shelves. your cheapest is $79, surely we can beat that.

ok, shelving was far more depressing.

Here is pronto

shipping furniture to australia, Pronto.com · More Info

shipping furniture to australia, Pronto.com · More Info

Ikea:

Bookcases - Modern & Traditional - IKEA · More Info

Shelving Units & Systems - IKEA · More Info

Wall Shelves & Shelf Brackets - IKEA · More Info

Wall Shelves & Shelf Brackets - IKEA · More Info

you still there? got anything for me to do this weekend? or still catching up? I know, i am probably driving you nuts. You have to understand I am hooked to an oxygen concentrator, hooked to a wall. So what else i got to do? I wash dishes as i can, do dinner a few nights a week, and i just started being able to do that, and i play in houzz. so I check with you on thursday nights or fridays, cause i know you gotta work.

Still here, lol you crack me up! I have been a tad busy sorry. I have a heap of paint swatches that I'll try to upload on Sunday. I'm having a mini break this weekend. Still deciding on the shelves, I like the direction you've been going in so far.

You've been so helpful, you've given me lots to think about that I wouldnt have come up with myself. It's been great having a totally different perspective.

hey no problems. I am off to play again. You have a great weekend. Oh it is a long one, poor hubby, he has to listen to me all weekend, the dog and cats will be happy though. I think even the mouse is getting tired of listening to me!

hey emma, you in yet, or just shopping out my cart?

yeah, I am up again. Went to show hubby and you know what happened don't you? Puts his hands on it, and says what? errrrrr! Story of my life! car won't start for 3 hours mechanic comes, gets in, durn thing purring like a kitten!

french on jeans fabric? Looks great, so wwe want to run with blue?

Are you set on the wall colors yet? I have another idea. over here and maybe there, Ralph lauren paint makes a technique one called blue jeans. do you want me to see if i can find similar? Also, if you can recover the chairs. be back soon

ok hubby tucked in bed now. where was i? this is gonna sound crazy, but i read this once and adored, just have not gotten enough jeans yet. a woven jeans rug! but not the old timey wrap in a circle type. This is like those pot holders we used to make on a loom...you know you go over and under, I can only find the pic on pinterest, and they won't let me download. I also like recycled leather like belts, maybe you could them as an edging. I would make my rug square I think. i am also constantly trying to come up with ideas for old ties. You get them cheap enough and they can be so cool. but you have to mix them with something?

I am gonna start looking for pillows for those chairs, yeah!

Hey emma, are you back yet? saw you shopping again thought maybe you might need more help? or are you still just treading?