Without seeing the space in question, you could always consider getting them custom-made. For e.g. your local woodworkers association should be able to design and build some open hardwood storage boxes, which you could then have lined by a professional dressmaker, or yourself, if skilled in that area. Alternatively, have a look at an Australian company -http://www.masterworksbasketware.com.au/basketware, which stock a large range of cane, wicker, willow, bamboo, seagrass baskets, etc. (some already lined), which may prove suitable. Another website is: http://www.freedom.com.au/homewares/storage/boxes-baskets/, or you could try e-bay. Good luck.

That's great advice re the colours Design Organisation, I've been trying to work out how to choose the right greys to create the same effect as the one in your photo (still looking for a door like it!) Unfortunately budget doesn't extend to replacing the gutters which are that very 80s primrose. I've spoken to builder re your suggestion about the width of the poles and we might now replace them with timber posts, you've been really helpful!

Our house is similar, but we are empty nesters and down sized about 4 years ago, our needs would be a bit different to a growing family, we are currently in the throes of having two smaller rooms made into one area to further open up a previous renovation to give us a bigger open space..we also have an ensuite and a combined laundry / second laundry space. The good thing is that being a brick veneer house the reconfiguring is relatively easy with modern technology and big beams. As above try and have a big open space, we have been out of our home for a month now and still a way to go, add living away from home to your budget or stay with family. I will try and post the plan but here are a couple of journey pics ..the last photo was before trying to show how the two rooms decided the space making the living room very small and a bit dark...the aim of this project is to have space for a bigger gathering than about 4 people before overcrowded. Light is really important, nice big windows essential, the darkness of the living I thought I could live with, but it did get me down, I a, looking forward to having a much lighter space

Dreamer. Thanks for your advice. I am absolutely hoping we can do away with the balustrade down the stairs. Currently, what is there is a real dust trap. I love the look of the examples both you and Julie have provided. We will be replacing the doors either side and,eventually, throughout the house with a shaker style more solid looking door. For a master built house with so many ridiculous features such as intercoms, ducted vacuum and built in sound speakers (all removed), I can’t understand why the original owners did not upscale the quality of the doors!!