Thanks for these great ideas. The quilting in the sofa would be a great reflection of the ceiling. I love the Japanese screen on the Living Room wall. Would something like that need a more opulent frame as suggested by AMN. The current curtains are quite a rich Thai silk fabric in a bronze colour. They seem a bit dark for the ceiling. I prefer carpet in the bedroom for warmth underfoot in winter. What colour would work with this scheme? Should we go lighter to brighten the room or darker?

Having lived for years with a front loader in the kitchen under counter and now with a good sized laundry I am resenting the laundry for the space it wastes! I would rather have a "european solution" and a good en-suit and walk in :) really it is a matter of how you want to live, in reality if you spend your life considering resale you won't enjoy your home, prospective purchasers will love or hate whatever you do, those that don't want a space solution will be the ones who want the big ensuite and robe anyway! Do it with love then others will love it too, good luck

I would start by looking at colours you love. Plants and greenery is not everyones taste, but it may be yours. You can put it in a vase, basket or something that adds texture and also keep in mind the size needed for the overall picture. It is better to choose things you can easily move if and when the time comes, so heavy earth filled ones will perhaps cause you some issues if moving on your own or if you have a rental with stairs. Getting back to colours - if you want a neutral colour scheme then make that the foundation you start with (like a blank canvas). In the photo, your room appears to have a neutral colour scheme at present for your bed, cushions, carpet etc. You can make it warm and cozy with contrasting cushions, throw, or plants but this is not necessary if you want to stick to all neutrals. Neutral colours generally have warmth added with shades of darker colours that enhance or act as contrast. These can be variations of one colour, picking up a flow that is good to the eye. Brown can be the contrast if you choose or you could have another choice that adds just that bit of dark and light. You may want to choose items that bring in texture as well as colour contrast. Pick out the colour of your accessories (wall art, flowers, candles or what you like) and have them work with, instead of being totally alienated from the whole. Drapes/curtains/blinds generally come with the rental property, so if these are neutral in colour, they should work with other colours you choose. If you are looking for warmth, choose warm colours; if cool, then choose cool colours for bed linen etc. Warm colours generally go with warm colours and cool colours with cool ones. Often they do not mix. As mentioned previously the same colour can be used but perhaps different shades, to produce light and dark. Tidiness is a habit we all would like to adopt, not always easy if you lead a busy life, but when time permits, put things away that need to be and it will make the whole picture also a bit clearer for you to work out what you want to create. Going to shop displays or searching the internet for ideas is also a great help. Often one can immediately say you like something or you don't. By doing this you will learn what your taste is and work along those lines. Photos are an excellent help to yourself as well as to shop assistants who are ready to advise what may work. Let us know how you get on and would love a photo too.

Had you considered reconfiguring and adding to the pool fence in order to incorporate the pergola inside pool fence boundary? I can certainly understand there are pros and cons to this, but I thought I would throw it out there. In any case, landscaping, lighting and painting pergola a more harmonious colour seem very good ideas to me. If you sketch out on paper some of the various plans and ideas you like or have in mind, and colour-in the different features, this might help you visualise things better. It's sort of rudimentary, but I have done it several times and it did help me 'see'. Best wishes, and please keep us posted on how you are going.