Either material can be made to look and feel beautiful, but the photos show the worst of both. I love baltic birch plywood with exposed edges, but it must be sanded smooth and clear-coated with a satin finish lacquer or urethane. Concrete (my passion and my business) can be tinted to give it a warmer shade, and either cast against a super-smooth surface or polished to make it smooth. Bedroom walls need to look and be touchable. The ones in the photos give me the shivers.

Embrace the timber.., again with some modernising I feel it will transform. Being it's a mans home even better! Definitely give the ceiling and wall above timber a fresh modern white. Keep to sleek lighting - below is from beacon lighting If you feel the floor and timber on walls too much then some simple grey carpet runners will brighten and protect. Be sure to use anti slip mats underneath... With all the older accessories removed just add back again sleek modern pieces like ikeas mirror below.. just be sure the mirror is not directly facing the door (bad Feng Shui) A modern abstract black and white art and your done Definitely get him to live with the timber first and then make a call on it later...

HI Allison All Solution Dyed Nylon carpets have low VOC and are excellent for anyone that has allergies. Wool carpets are the issue for allergy sufferers. If you are anti-carpet, then I'd suggest Luxury Vinyl Planks for softness and warmth, as opposed to hard tiles. Godfrey Hirst and Feltex carpets are manufactured in both NZ and Aus, so you know you are getting a quality local product, and companies that stand by their product. Cavalier also manufactures quality Solution Dyed nylons. As for the vinyl planks, go to websites for these manufacturers/suppliers : Karndean Godfrey Hirst Quickstep There are some great options out there, but don't be afraid to investigate the carpets as mentioned above. Cheers Julie

Depends where you are and what you want child to do in there. I’m in Melbourne and wall to wall carpet is warmer and more comfortable and quieter. We can sit on floor and play and read. Generally quiet more relaxing activities. but do messy play like play do and painting in kitchen. One down side of carpet is toys like figures don’t stand up well on them.