Firstly I would have to ask if you bought this cottage because you truely love "vintage" or did you buy on a budget with the sole purpose of renovating to A. keep it traditional or B. make it so modern the the very hint of it ever being traditional will be almost unrecognisable in the end??? If you in fact love traditional, there are ways to make it modern enough to suit but still retain enough of a "traditional" feel in any single room or space, as to still be able to see the homes"roots" For example, retaining high ceilings, or ornate cornices, timber floors or timber windows etc... If your reasons are to make it modern but maintain tradional, then definitely seek professional help to get it right and that may only mean paying someone "once" to tell you what you should or shouldn't do to make the transformation successful. The picture provided by carthiefintexas is outstanding, showing traditional timber and unusual ceiling heights but with that most gorgeous kitchen/dining table albeit that this picture appears to be that of an inclosed barbecue/outdoor eating area and an add on to the existing home. Even the outside of your home, if council permits, can be partly traditional and partly modern but again, you really need to seek help so as not to get it wrong. Would love to know what you really want for this home??? For instance, if it's on acres and you are going to have pets, traditional homes look and feel more like you could let the dog in so to speak, if you know what I mean, versus a fully transformed modern home that the dog can only look at through the double glazed windows with perfect white tiles and a perfect white couch etc... etc...ha-ha!!!

I agree with bringing the chairs in from the corners just a bit -- it will make the room seem larger; but I think the height of the prints is just right -- it makes that squat ceiling look higher by having space above the chairs, and you do not want to close this space. What's wrong is that they are too far apart -- balance the space between the corners and each print ~ in this case think in terms of visually-balanced fifths: wall-print-wall(including decal)-print-wall. It's the faux fire that's brining this room down (have you tried lowering it to the floor?), but Junipergirl is right ~ the room needs to be anchored, and the perfect rug would do that. I too would usually choose something traditional (that's my personal taste), but for this space, to harmonise styles, I would suggest something more modern, and something with texture as this room is texturally very flat. A shaggy white rug (seeing your husband insists on keeping those white walls, and in a space this size I am inclined to agree with him), with touches of the rose-pink echoed in the prints would anchor the whole scheme beautifully. I agree that the finishing touches of a table-lamp (think of that classic 'Ritz/Savoy' pleated shade, in white, with a gold-tone pedestal to match the print-frames, possibly on a very light-looking round Deco occasional table), and an indoor palm - something texturally variagated, not smooth - and I think this room will work very well ... it's much better than you seem to think Gov (I feel very Cockney saying that!), and all the features - except the heater - are good and work well together.

I don't have room in my current home for any sort of tree, not even a hat stand like pictured, so I can't wait till our new home is complete and I can put up a tree but I think the stand and the gifts looks perfectly acceptable and does still have the important Xmas spirit!! Well done Maria

I suggest the very first thing to do , would be to decide your budget and what you want to achieve , and to a certain degree what the suburb is like ? If it's the 'worst' house in an upmarket suburb , then $100K or even $200k may really lift its value , but if its in a 'cheaper' suburb , you may over capitalise . Like others , some things I'd look at -- -- Do the gardens , trim the tree , looks more like rank grass along the side of the driveway ? Maybe a white stone garden , with a Yukka ort similar . -- The concrete driveway looks 'drunk' , but that may be because of the shapes it was laid in ? Level it , take the front out to the street , talk to an expert about doing a one-run top coat of concrete . -- Remove the fairy lights , relocate the satelite dish . -- Personally , Id frame upwards on the top of the carport and lounge roof , and also the first floor roof , and put bright 25-30cm tall painted or powder coasted alloy panels -- cover the gutters and 'hide' the solar panels . Paint or coat them whatever colour you like , but I'd go for something like bright yellow or orange or red , mid blue , a crisp green ? -- Someone suggested brown wooden 'louvres' full-length over the upstairs windows . I'd be tempted to go with that idea ( buy 30mmx30mm pine , and a mid brown stain -- 6 or 8 'rails' along that upstairs on the side and front you can see in the pictures . Instead of mid-brown stain , a black/charcoal may suit better , especially if you go with those bright panels . -- Maybe a fence in the same 30 x 30 horizontal wood , same stain colour -- ties the upstairs to the 'ground' level ? Relatively budget , and can be done in several steps , but would 'lift' it no end IMO .