So many good suggestions and ideas, thank you everybody :) partim I actually had the lounge room exactly how you described to begin with, I know it's hard to visualize through just seeing the photos I've put up but it didn't work as the couch coffee table and tv unit were jammed in together leaving little walk through space and there was a lot of unusable wasted space in the corner where the tv is. I contemplated getting a corner lamp table at the time but what we really need is more sitting space than table space. I changed the room around to this and we liked it much better as the window wasn't obstructed as well. the walking space between couch and cone lamp hasn't been a problem. The absolute last thing after rugs etc will be to move the bigger bookcase that's next to wood heater to another room and put an armchair there :) that will require renovation of the other rooms first. our records are all in alphabetical order and I love them but wouldn't display them any more than I have already as it's not a huge focal point. decoenthusiaste I love the idea of putting the small bookcase on its side behind the couch and could do this if I put a finish on the top and the base! unfortunately it will no longer be able to hold the records if I do that as the shelves are an awkward shape. (Smaller shelf is better for holding records to keep them in separate categories and keep them standing up than the bigger shelf) redpoint, I know! I've always been a timber floor person. When we moved in I was set on putting wood floors down in future. Although these tiles lack character, since living with them I must say the practicality of them outweighs the aesthetics of wood. I can move furniture around without scratching the floor and know I'll never have to ever sand and re polish the floor from wear and tear and they feel cool to walk on in the hot, dry summer. I'm leaning towards getting a sandy coloured slate put down one day. That should add more character to the place :) and my future tribal rugs will work either way. The view is fine, it's just a neat suburban street. I feel too exposed for now with the curtains open and would like a privacy screen put up with a nice garden bed as a view when we get around to re paving and landscaping. It's a southern view so the winter sun now shines through our front windows, which gets a bit bright at times. The brown rug was given to us as a stop gap for absorbing sound and catching the walked in dirt. If I moved it in front of the couch the "brownness" of it would hurt my eyes while I'm trying to relax in my little living space hehe I would consider cutting up the wall hanging or doing something else with it yes, good idea :) Zag Built LLC, I like the idea of a round or oval coffee table! Thos. Baker, a new piece of art would be nice

ensimpson, Please do not render that brick. It is quite a nice brick and render can look very cheap and often done poorly cracks and looks even worse. If you don't like the dutch cables, you can go about removing them. These are not primary roof structure typically, but there will be a little work in making good the roof where they were. Alternatively, give these gables a function, place a fixed louvre, like you have shown in the attached image and allow the roof to vent through them. This will also impact the comfort of the home as there will be less heat buildup in the roof cavity. I agree with the comment above, the driveway is very prominent. This is partly the perspective of this image, but you could consider options for the driveway paving. I do not think painting grey is a good one. Repaving with a natural grey material could be as there would be more life and texture to it, but it is an expensive one.

Yes time for some updates. I painted the table white but had the chairs finished in matt black with a gorgeous velvet fabric from designers guild. It cost a small fortune but was worth it. I've also updated the gallery wall so it's more cohesive and added some new living room furnishings. I'm so happy with the outcome.

Option 3 has a terrazzo-look tile which references the previous and original bathroom. The concrete look tiles will date, and look quite daggy in ten years time. Best of luck, Dr Retro of Dr Retro House Calls