I think it needs something 3 dimensional added to it - I like the idea of buttons - make an outline of a large shape - a bird, a dolphin, or just a diamond shape - whatever you like - then get lots of different colour and different sized buttons and sew them on close together so they fill the whole shape. At the moment it definitely looks like a school notice board! If you add something flat it will still look like a pin board - many of the shop bought ones have ribbon sewed on in a criss-cross pattern etc, so you def need something 3D.

five dock, Natural White can sometimes look too stark. I'd say Dulux White Exchange half for all the walls because it has more of a grey/beige undertone. And Lexicon half on the skirting, trimming & doors would be perfect! We used Colourbond Shale Grey & Dulux Lexicon half for for the trim & eaves in this picture. For more of that French Provincial style, use this as inspiration! Unfortunately we didn't colour consult for this property so wouldn't know the specific colour.

I've been playing around with a pantry location. Originally, I was going to move the pantry into the laundry with some custom shelving and cut the laundry space in half. Now, Im thinking of cutting into the study area and building a wall there, and converting the new space into a long and narrow walk in pantry. Either that or build half a wall and put built in shelving in the study. Building the extra wall will reduce the need to cover in the door way that is currently in place and instead utilising it. Thoughts? p.s. this isnt too scale.

You are going to have to spend some money to make it look seamless. Doing it cheap will always make it look like a crappy addition. There is no easy, cheap solution to your problem, and you will regret it as soon as it is finished. Best of luck, Dr Retro of Dr Retro House Calls