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 .

Hi Joanna! Megan from Bluethumb online art gallery here. I agree with Julie that a large artwork would be a great focal point at the end of the hallway, with the table and a mirror on the side. With the artwork, I recommend a really large piece that is striking. It'll make a great first impression for your home, and is a wonderful chance to convey your personality straight off the bat! I've compiled some suggestions for you of some abstract pieces that I think will look great. With these pieces, I'd suggest choosing something over 120cm on the long side, as a piece smaller than that will make the room feel smaller and out of balance. Due to the shape of the room, I've chosen works in a square or portrait layout, which will complement the lines of the room. The selection contains a large price range, although most are over $1000, due to the large scale of the works. My first choice would be this large and soothing piece by Sam Suttie: https://bluethumb.com.au/sam-suttie/Artwork/flower-and-string Some other suggestions you might be interested in are: https://bluethumb.com.au/artembryl/Artwork/sapphire-artem-bryl https://bluethumb.com.au/lise-temple/Artwork/out-of-control-burn https://bluethumb.com.au/jacquelyn-stephens/Artwork/voyage-of-the-damned-tragedy https://bluethumb.com.au/rachael-higby/Artwork/glint-of-light https://bluethumb.com.au/robyn-burgess/Artwork/straight-line https://bluethumb.com.au/susie-monte/Artwork/billie-abstract-painting-by-susie-monte https://bluethumb.com.au/titane-laurent/Artwork/a-life-of-wonders https://bluethumb.com.au/titane-laurent/Artwork/towards-clarity-160456 https://bluethumb.com.au/artembryl/Artwork/regal https://bluethumb.com.au/brendan-kelly/Artwork/equine-variations These pieces cover a variety of styles and prices, but all are large scale and would look great in your entrance way. Hope this helps!

Thanks siriuskey. Yes I do want to use the frames I have and although Julie’s suggestion is probably the nicest, it’s not possible. That’s not to say another config won’t look good. Truth is I don’t have alot of wall space and I want to buy some large colourful artwork for two big walls that I do have. So I’ve narrowed down to two configurations. Which do you prefer? Montage and two horizontals or the cluster of 4? I do like the cluster but the lowest point will be quite low. It’s 120cm from highest to lowest points. Thanks everyone!!

Re your designer, the most important part of any house is the floorplan so you will benefit from what is spent on design. No, I thought that I had read in your first post that you were moving the driveway $10K, did you do that. As I said I am not an engineer, but for the sake of a better overall floorplan you can work with and around with Load Bearing walls but it does cost, you earlier discussed using posts to help with supports and using fretwork across the top to conceal if you felt it necessary. My upstairs floorplan has the staircase brought back towards the Alfreso with the access from that end up to the bedrooms, ie kids coming home from school, through the mudroom/laundry, powder room and then either onto upstairs or into the kitchen for something to eat and then up stairs. By moving the stairs back will give you a Grander Entrance which you wanted. Everything you do doesn't have to be in the same style as the old house, the rear can be more simple with large stacker doors etc keeping your beloved French doors for the front door and living room etc. Don't be in a rush to make a decision, you are spending a lot of money to achieve your dream house. Did you look at the Youtube program which shows you how to marry old and new. I think the dining needs a bigger window looking out from the kitchen etc to the view of the pool, this is also a good safety thing to do, work with a blind, pergola etc to help control any heat.