I see this is a very old thread , with lots of comments . I've just skim read them , but I haven't seen anyone suggest anything like my 'top-of-my-head' idea -- I love the wood , and the white contrast , but pretty boring . Whats your favourite colour , or what ties in with the other rooms ? It might be blue or red or yellow or orange or green , as examples . So paint the skirting board and around the door a pastel shade of your choice , and add a small 30cm x 30cm abstract painting featuring that colour as the primary dominant one , above ( or possibly below , or maybe even get 2 matching/complementary ones ) the control panel . One lighting crowd suggested glass shades -- I'd actually go for someothing large but wooden , in much the same shade as your floors and steps , with LED bulbs -- you can get some stunning ones around 80-100 cm in diameter ( sort of a star ball shape ) for $300-400 . Total budget then $500 plus a painter and maybe electrician , unless you DIY .

The vertical blinds MUST go. Sorry, but they are hideous and add nothing. Get some fabulous mid century fabric pattern in some gorgeous colours and make curtains. You can make a couple of scatter cushions also out of this fabric. Then pick out your favourite colour from the fabric to add some plain cushions. If you have gone with the patterned rug option such as asquithoatley has suggested, then just pick out the gentler colour for plain curtains to compliment the rug. Either way then choose cushions using any, or all of these colours. Then you should look for some decorative items in these colours such as beautiful bottles that might pick up an aqua, or some lamps with bases that colour to put on a side board. For the wall I suggest that you look on ebay in mid century modern and see if any wall sculptures attract you. There was quite a fad for enamelled metal wall sculptures back in the 60s which would add some life. Try to find one that also incorporates one of the pattern colours. Susan_66 made a great suggestion with a Howard Arkley print of a mid century house. You might even find one that is similar to your house style which would be fun. Happy hunting. You have some good pieces and they will work well with a bit of fun fabric or rug to link them.

Hi I like the idea of a deck that is a common level with the house, but it would be expensive and maybe a waste of materials if the bricks are still level and whole. Consider pressure cleaning the bricks to remove grime and weeds. Imagine a pergola over the existing brick area. Have large pots at the foot of some of the posts with vines growing up the posts to eventually form a cover for seasonal shade. (Don't plant the vines directly into the ground, as they will eventually spoil the brickwork with their roots.) Or maybe the pergola could be covered with a suitable material of your choice which suits your climatic area - shade cloth, timber slats, canvas shades etc. Would you enjoy a fountain or water pool of ssome kind? Perhaps a Moroccan-style raised pool with tiled walls. Add some lovely seating - teak? or cane/rattan? and lots of potted greenery. Have fun with your new look.

thank you very much! their products are beautiful and is exactly the look I'm after! It is probably a bit late now coz cladding is coming on Tuesday but i will talk to my builder and see if we can use it as part of a feature wall. not sure about the bush fire attack level but i'll check. thanks again!