Personally I would never get rid of the lovely wood trims / doors as wood is expensive and in my opinion it never dates. I am sure many other people will give you their opinions on what will match with this and that but I would just like to say - select a colour that you like for the walls - a light colour usually works well (even just an off white). Let your personality come out in your furnishings, art, knick knacks. Try to have some cohesiveness to the colour range for each room but each room can have it's own personality if you so desire. Light fittings are amazing these days and if you go to a local light shop you will be able to see the lights hanging from the ceilings / walls and if you ask you may be able to take a couple home to decide what works best for your room. Look at web sites, look in magazines, look in other peoples homes and chose your style. Don't feel you have to be like everyone else... the rooms must be right for you or you will never feel comfortable and it won't feel like home. Good Luck.

It doesn't look that bad. I'd go with rugs inside and out to draw your attention away. If you go with a stain, you can get grey stains. Bunnings have a Hunter Grey.

Hi everyone, thank you all so much for your comments- each one has been really helpful & thank you to those who have complimented the work. I still fluctuate with whether I love it or not, but as jdublya says, i think its just a mid reno freak out! My original colour choice was a dark brown, but unfortunately following other suggestions, it ended up being black. Anywho I will continue to push through with all the other plans- light grey walls, white door frames and doors, and black handles. Then have a think about wall art - frames etc. Once all of that is done i will post an update and let you know if we decide to change anything with the stairs. Also thought I'd mention that the colour of the flooring on the first level has come out a lot more red than it actually appears in real life. I am quite excited to finish the project but of course with limited funds, 3 kids, 2 dogs and a kitten it takes a lot of time! Sit tight, will update as and when :) Thanks again all, your encouragement is encouraging ;-)

With grey and white to go with, you're right on trend (well, in NZ anyway). Keep those colours. With the furniture, cut the newell posts off the bed and square up the headboard and baseboard (or get rid of the baseboard altogether if you can. I did my headboard with a piece of MDF and covered it with a sheet. I'd do the same with the dresser - cut the newell posts off. Those things really date the furniture. Paint all the furniture either gloss white or black and change the handles to silver or brushed chrome. Just make sure that some where else in the room is the same silver/ brushed chrome. Maybe a photo frame of a couple of lamps? I think white.High gloss. Black or grey plain (no pattern) drapes as close as you can get to the wall colour. That way they disappear and don't become a feature (unless you got for very expensive and make them a show piece). I'd put the drapes behind some shimmer voile sheers that drape across the floor a little. Now you only have to choose accents and you'll have a different look any time. Pinks, blues, purples -whatever takes your fancy. Don't forget to add in a few different textures to soften things up a bit, ad see if you can pick up a 2nd hand cheap chandelier.I think I spent about $300 total from a nasty blue flocked wallpaper and apricot curtains, and a couple of other bits and pieces. Would love to see the finished product!!