A couple of things from me. Firstly, the cornice painted a yellow makes the ceilings feel lower than necessary, paint them out white or as per tour ceiling rather than accentuate the highest perimeter moulding, you don't want yo draw attention to the highest detail not being high! Secondly, to make the room feel fully addressed the window has to be looked at in context of your room. The house style is important, but more so the room space and light. As you have a verandah you probably have in direct sunlight, but the room is not large, so i would try to make the window feel part of the bigger picture rather than contrast with it. Which is what the red does, effectively looks like a red rectangle dominating a small wall. Do the opposite, taking colour cues from the room will make it feel unified, therefore bigger. The caramel carpet, for me is where I would draw upwards from. I suggest a rattan roman blind, the texture and stiffness will resolve that terrible sag, let in diffused light and provide a natural element needed in country style schemes. It allows the scenery to stand out, and colour is easily built upon it. If you need further blackout, you can install a uv cheap roller blind within the window frame, which would be hidden from view by the roman blind, so it can remain up most times and the roman can frame the beautiful view, allow light and then use the roller as your night privacy blackout blind. Most Romans look best as a frame treatment, they dress the window better than they function on them. Shutters would also be stunning with their play and filtering of light, but costly. And just a tip, your bed would feel far more luxurious in that space if it were not heavy in colour, the metal and timber, both which are not genuine as in fake cast iron and artificially stained orange pine date your space, that is not a dig, just an observation. You could do an upholstered bedhead for a luxurious look that a linen would tie in with the soft furnishings, you can address colour in many ways, but the blinds, carpet and bedhead should be neutral unless you can afford to upgrade often?.. A layering of texture and tones rather than colour is far softer in a country space, that's why it's done often, creamy whites on a caramel carpet will really brighten and freshen that space, , timber lamp bases, fabric shades, plush pillows and personality pieces, you'll have a space you can't wait to get to. I hope this was helpful!

Hi, good thought re second hand, just have to be lucky to find matching sizes for twin lamps but certainly worth looking. Yes I've recovered ones before, I use adhesive on the top and bottom but sew a seam for the fabric snug fit down the height so it's not such a big deal to remove if you're careful. Just depends on the condition of the shade and if you want the same size. Thank you also for the idea of old stock, will contact some stores and ask. Cheers

I think it needs something 3 dimensional added to it - I like the idea of buttons - make an outline of a large shape - a bird, a dolphin, or just a diamond shape - whatever you like - then get lots of different colour and different sized buttons and sew them on close together so they fill the whole shape. At the moment it definitely looks like a school notice board! If you add something flat it will still look like a pin board - many of the shop bought ones have ribbon sewed on in a criss-cross pattern etc, so you def need something 3D.

If you have a bit of storage space then consider buying a couple of inexpensive easy wipe stackable chairs (eg ikea) for visiting kids to use. Parents and you can then relax and enjoy the meal without worrying about your upholstery. Alternatively, tie-on seat cushions will give some protection plus a height boost for little ones.