I love your fireplace. I would not alter it. The door and the floorboards draw your eye straight to the fireplace. I wouod definitely alter the light fittings. I would have the tv on the dining room wall to the right of the arches. I wouod have one lounge on the window wall opposite the tv and a chair in the corner if there is enough room. I would have an eyecatching wing back chair to the left of the fireplace opposite the dining room and white lacy soft curtains softening the window wall. To the left of the fireplace near the dining room arch you could add some interesting decorating piece. I would concentrate on making the fireplace wall the focal point of the room and the tv corner a secondary focal point that is soft and relaxing. You could trow down a couple of beautiful, thick, soft floor mats to soften the brick and provide a texture contrast. Overall, I love the room, it has character and strength, its not boring and mundane. Good luck! I hope you find something that suits both you and hubby

We considered all of your ideas and more, to the point where we had a sure plan, quoted and ready to go - only to be surprised when we actually saw it. That plan was to make the current ensuite the main bathroom and enter off the end of the room, to reconfigure the WIR to a third bedroom and to make Bed 2 the new master with a walk-thru robe to the new ensuite - currently family bathroom. The issue was that despite taking room from the existing wardrobes between the WIR and Bed 2, the area was just too small - so back to the drawing board. What we have decided to do is keep the same floor plan, knowing that if we choose to sell and return the WIR to a third bedroom it will cost approx. $4K - we think this is a great return on investment, but for our needs the WIR is a big benefit. It turns out our draughtsman missed some vital space where our current pantry exists so we have been able to utilise that space and move the pantry. This has allowed us to change the opening to the main bath to be adjacent to the back door/hall area which removes it from the kitchen/dining/lounge. Despite our best efforts we couldn't make room for a separate shower and bath, so we will have a shower over bath (island style) larger vanity (1200mm) and a concealed cistern toilet. Our finishes will do the talking with exposed brodware michaelangelo shower/bath mixers, beautiful marquina carrara and nero mosaic floor tiles and subways together with a statement wallpaper. We will retain the ensuite as is but we will make the shower significantly bigger, add a large vanity and concealed cistern toilet as per main bathroom. Same finishes. The trick in the ensuite is that we will cover the existing windows opposite the existing shower with the vanity and shaving cabinet (they are frosted from the outside) so we can utilise that wall and it makes no difference to the outside of the house - plus they are double glazed and don't open on that wall so it makes no difference to light or function. Here are the floor plans and the before photos , demo has occurred and we'll be framed and lined prior to Christmas, so stay tuned for more updates!

Annb1997. Thanks for your suggestions. I don't think I need a heated towel rack if have a central heating radiator. A hanging rack would go above this perhaps too but also near the shower. In my lomg experience of CH the towels dry off fine in winter this way. In summer also when radiator not on if the window is open. I really do not like sliding doors on showers so have to find a solution with a 1000mm square shower with door. I have spent two hours today in a showroom looking at all possible combinations. Clearance is insufficient with certain size fixtures as you state with the vanity in the new position. So my homework tonight was choose from all the possible variations that we determined would work. Wish me luck!!

Hi Poppet Your green curtains are really lovely Were you following a Hampton's idea previously? Your furniture seems to indicate that If you are ready for a change........ Consider jute for your rug - I know it may not be the softest, but is very durable with kids around Also a neutral colour for ease of coordinating Add lots of indoor plants and yellow shades in soft furnishings, with accents of greens Sage is very popular just now