So many good suggestions and ideas, thank you everybody :) partim I actually had the lounge room exactly how you described to begin with, I know it's hard to visualize through just seeing the photos I've put up but it didn't work as the couch coffee table and tv unit were jammed in together leaving little walk through space and there was a lot of unusable wasted space in the corner where the tv is. I contemplated getting a corner lamp table at the time but what we really need is more sitting space than table space. I changed the room around to this and we liked it much better as the window wasn't obstructed as well. the walking space between couch and cone lamp hasn't been a problem. The absolute last thing after rugs etc will be to move the bigger bookcase that's next to wood heater to another room and put an armchair there :) that will require renovation of the other rooms first. our records are all in alphabetical order and I love them but wouldn't display them any more than I have already as it's not a huge focal point. decoenthusiaste I love the idea of putting the small bookcase on its side behind the couch and could do this if I put a finish on the top and the base! unfortunately it will no longer be able to hold the records if I do that as the shelves are an awkward shape. (Smaller shelf is better for holding records to keep them in separate categories and keep them standing up than the bigger shelf) redpoint, I know! I've always been a timber floor person. When we moved in I was set on putting wood floors down in future. Although these tiles lack character, since living with them I must say the practicality of them outweighs the aesthetics of wood. I can move furniture around without scratching the floor and know I'll never have to ever sand and re polish the floor from wear and tear and they feel cool to walk on in the hot, dry summer. I'm leaning towards getting a sandy coloured slate put down one day. That should add more character to the place :) and my future tribal rugs will work either way. The view is fine, it's just a neat suburban street. I feel too exposed for now with the curtains open and would like a privacy screen put up with a nice garden bed as a view when we get around to re paving and landscaping. It's a southern view so the winter sun now shines through our front windows, which gets a bit bright at times. The brown rug was given to us as a stop gap for absorbing sound and catching the walked in dirt. If I moved it in front of the couch the "brownness" of it would hurt my eyes while I'm trying to relax in my little living space hehe I would consider cutting up the wall hanging or doing something else with it yes, good idea :) Zag Built LLC, I like the idea of a round or oval coffee table! Thos. Baker, a new piece of art would be nice

I might be old fashioned but to keep my pillows clean, I use a pillow protector and then at least two old, perhaps non matching pillow cases most of us have in the linen closet and then I put on the pillow case that's used for the week. When I do a wash, I usually remove all three pillow covers, especially from hubbies pillow, as he tends to sleep deep into his pillow and hence there can sometimes be superficial stains or stale smells that don't permeate through to the pillow protector. I am quite fussy and still iron my pillow cases but it's certainly not necessary for these extra covers as their sole purpose is to protect the pillow. I have seen some horendous yellow stained pillows that are still being used and have ended up like this because they are not protected from normal every day use. As for how often I replace my pillows, if they do eventually have any type of stains regardless of how long I've had them, then I will purchase a new one but it could be longer than 2 years as I feel my pillows are clean. My pillow is also a very expensive type being a chiropractic pillow with neck supports, so I do all I can to protect it and keep it as long as possible. My theory is, if the pillow has no smell or visible stains, no need to replace it unless you want to.

As it is my own house this is my style and this is how I like it to be I don't care if you think it works or not I love it walking into these rooms actually don't make it closed in a photo can only take you so far it makes them much more modern and daring I like clean lines nothing to busy and I hate pops of color so please remember this is for me not your self It's not for everyone I totally get that But that's the best part about "houzz" there is something for everyone " keep it positive people "

I have saved pillow cases from sets now gone, purchased pillow cases from opshops or even new, usually in a white colour and I use at least three to maintain the freshness of all my bed pillows and I then put the cover on matching the sheets for the week. You could instead use pillow protectors but I find you need at least three if you want to keep the pillow looking original, especially if you have a partner that snores or drawls, gosh that sounds grose doesn't it but no one can control what they do when they're asleep!! The extra cases can always be bleach washed or washed in napisan when doing the usual change. It's a method my mother taught me over 40 years ago and it's a cheap alternative to having to replace expensive pillows or having manky looking pillows in a short space of time. I also have a contoured pillow for good neck support and they are over $100 so protecting them for as long as possible is imperative. I don't buy cheap twin pack pillows, I try to buy good quality med density pillows for my guests, although most people who regularly sleep away from home tend to take their own favourite pillow anyway. I only change or replace our pilows if all my protection fails.