I have the modern equivalent of a shag pile rug in our bedroom: constructed by eco friendly, third world home business using T-shirt manufacturing offcuts. This rug has the same depth of a 60's shag pile but different texture. Vacuuming is easy (for my husband) and much nicer to pop the feet on when getting out of bed in the morning than the polished floorboards. Other than this and a couple of persian rugs, carpets are totally OUT in our home.

Rug looks good. Don't get rid of your coffee table. Just slightly sand the top and pick an antique white or light grey paint with primer already in it and give it 2 coats. It will come up great. wouldn't take long to do. Add a tray with candles and small artificial plant, *& would look great. Good luck.

WE got rid of our curtains when we repainted, BEST decision ever and now have plantation shutters, they are awesome, look clean, modern yet as we have a Bluestone villa it so doesn't have to be just modern homes, still looks great with the cornices etc will go any where and look great, I liked the Temple and Karari rugs as they won't date then you can add pops of colour such as teal and navy or yellow and navy or really most colours go with the soft blue/navy it would be whatever your taste is in the pop of colour, red or burgundy....choice is endless really, We did have full window shutters.

Hey Jenny, just a couple of things that come to mind. Keep your telephone table and floor completely clear, with the possible exception of a narrow, medium height pot plant toward the stairs. This will help overcome the proportion issue. Put your decorative items on the wall opposite, unless this is a door? A portrait shaped mirror over the table might be the one exception. And keep the decoration structural / architectural or if art, one minimalist piece, and not “fussy”. A black and white photo or line drawing could look good, too. Is the door we can see an exterior or interior door? If exterior, you could make this a feature. There are some beautiful doors available now. Beauty is enhanced by balance and that is what you should aim for. But also, you have your own style, embrace it. Play around with what decor you love and take your time. The above is only a suggestion. What will make the area sing is the feeling, when you walk in, that this is Jenny’s house and I’m welcome. No amount of decorate by numbers or third party interior design can replace that