A bit of both I think. I like the juxtaposition of the rustic, preloved iron against pristine and contemporary settings, lie the image or spaces with exaggerated scale, like in a warehouse or conversion build. I think using it other ways dates the space instantly. I do like it better when it has samples of old painted advertising on it, so it can become a wall of art, rather than just a rusty cladding option.

Agree ashilleong. I watched something on Steve jobs last night, and it was said that most of his iconic ideas were nit his own, not invented by him, rather innovated by him. Thie client brief should be a free platform of invention from the client, and why wouldn't you take it, some could be gems waiting for a good designer to create great innovation of them. Together the process will be collaborative, and force both parties to explore outside the scope of their own ideas. I think also, often the most successful design comes out of constraint. Things you have to work around become unique and interesting. Take the advice, but keep in mind the final result is yours conceptually, and you need to translate their ideas into a correct response to that brief. Together you will create something both will be proud of. A happy client, makes you a popular designer, so don't rate yourself higher in the process.

Hi Kathy, so thrilled to hear my comments got you started thinking of the big picture, it has been a pleasure working with this. When you are starting totally from scratch like this it is easy to become too close to the issues and the brain becomes overloaded so you can't see the woods for the trees. I think this is also a classic example of why I always tell people to live in a house for a year before beginning to decorate, as hard as it is to be patient and wait, you do need to get the feel for a house and relate your lifestyle to it. I do like your idea of splitting the room into two areas, the room looks big enough to give you this option, and to me intimate spaces within a room create a more welcoming and homely feel. When you have a good idea of the furniture you would like, put what you have in the room and measure anything else before you buy it, use newspaper or cardboard boxes the size of the pieces and put them around the room to ensure you are going to get the desired result. It can be so easy to over or under estimate just how much space furniture will take up. Sorry the green lounge in the study didn't work out, but glad this has helped you see options. Just my personal opinion, one of my joeys had a lovely old grandfather clock in her lounge room and while it was a beautiful piece of furniture to look at, I just found it a little on the intrusive side - with its constant chiming it just didn't make the room feel relaxing, one was just so aware of the passing of time. Of course this can be advantageous when certain rellies visit. She ended up moving hers to her entrance foyer where it was a stand out feature and the lounge room became so much more relaxing. Love to see some photos of your landscaping.

How is the bat chair not just a camping chair from Rays Outdoors? LOL