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!

I second Rhonda’s comment - Feast Watson are widely available and have good tints. If you take a pic to the paint shop, you could ask for help with choosing a colour. One tip: try a small sample first somewhere inconspicuous if possible. Look at it over a few days/different light conditions to help decide if it’s right for you :)

It really is all about the rug isn’t it. Really sets the tone of the room but must must must be large enough the old standard 160x230 is really a bathmat. Then the art. Thank god I’ve done the rug part in most of my house it’s one of the hardest parts of putting a room together.

how old are you and your friends, what is the length and width of the room and can you post some photos of the room and your favourite Bracht images and list anything you want to keep