Congratulations on your new home. I think you have been very sensible to live in it for a year before starting your decorating, it has given you time to consider the lighting and aspect of each room in all seasons as well as time to evaluate how you want to live in your home and exactly what you need. The lounge does look very big and bulky and will definitely dominate the room, so I would keep to the lighter colour. Don't worry about the kids and dirt - as Kookykaren said, leather cleans easily - sharp objects and textas are your bigger worry regardless of what colour you choose. Laying newspaper on the floor to the size of the lounge is another way of checking how it will look as it gives you a better indication of bulk than tape. I would keep your ottoman simple (one with storage is an excellent idea with the children), just a tone on tone fabric or a pattern using the colours in the rug on the floor of the photo of the lounge. I don't think you have room for too large an ottoman but I would have a square one made the same height as the lounge so when just you and DH are watching TV you can push it against the other end of the lounge and both have a chaise. You can then bring some colour with art work or some patterned cushions on the lounges.

Hi Kitchens by Matric, I did actually contact you. You came out to measure etc. However, after that it was very difficult to get a hold of you to actually get my quote. You rang once or twice and I tried several times after that. So I never actually received my quote. The frustrations!

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.

still think you are best talking to a cabinet maker , kitchen place that use "wood wood" to make pantry doors etc, you can also buy this product along with a lot of other building materials at Bunnings which builders go to for, same quality as else where just sometimes a bit cheaper because of the volume. We used this for holiday villas & 15yrs later still perfect