I think the advice about not making it a surprise is sound - but perhaps you could put some ideas together (even on Pinterest or as actual 'vision boards') so you have a starting point (even if she totally rejects everything - at least you know what she doesn't want!). Has she finished school? If she is starting Year 12 next year, or university studies, the desk and chair don't really look adequate for long hours. Consider an ergonomic office chair from Officeworks and possibly some floating shelves attached to the wall, strong enough for textbooks, folders and so on - even to take a small computer printer? Think about a powerboard (with safety switch) to go into the electrical point where the lamp currently plugs in - for the lamp, a computer, a printer, and any other electrical gizmos she has. If she's not studying, how about a large wall mirror for over the desk (rather than on it) and making a lovely dressing table space? (I know when I was 17, trying to dry my hair and experiment with new makeup looks in the family bathroom was not easy!). Good luck with it all, and I hope she (one day!) appreciates what a considerate mum she has!

When buying our renovator, the electrical inspector found the house had been earthed to the gas line instead of the water line. Plus other illegal wiring. The electrician would not leave the house until something else was rectified as well as the earth as the house at the time was rented. So glad we had that inspection as a few months after moving in we had a huge storm the house was hit by lightening then the high voltage lines fell across the house, we were home it was really scary but we had the whole place rewired before we moved in. Our neighbours behind said the house appeared to engulfed with a blue fireball. Our neighbours house did catch on fire. It would have been a different story for us if wiring was earthed to gas line.

Thanks for your advice, you have some great points. I agree, we don't want to go crazy at the start - just do the bits that we need to make the house safe/comfortable to live in (eg fix electrical, put in heating and cooling) plus do the basics to make it look "nice" inside (paint walls, polish floorboards and new light fittings like you suggested). I'm sure this will end up costing quite a bit anyway so this might be it for now! We also found today a few hidden surprises that will require attention asap, like asbestos vinyl in between the carpet and floorboards unfortunately and the fact that there used to be chimney hearths in the bedrooms that they have just replaced with cheap pine boards (not matching the rest of the boards). Having a nice garden design will also make a huge difference I think. You are right, there is lots of concrete and a bit of grass - very different from what we are used to (coming from an established garden) so I'm longing for some trees there already!

Hmmm, I agree it is important to take into consideration what is on the other side of the brick. It looks as if there is no insulation in that wall, unless as was suggested, it was an entry door at some point. You may want to consult an expert to find out if the brick needs to be sealed, made waterproof, etc BEFORE you drywall over it, although it looks perfectly dry. I like your idea of dry walling it over and creating shelves/TV unit. BTW, I like your timber flooring. What kind is it?