I would also go the the majority and paint first. Low VOC paints are also the way to go and as mentioned new carpet also emit toxins etc. so don't leave things to the last minute and keep things well ventilated for a few weeks after completion. If the robes are sliding doors they don't usually have backs so you need to paint the walls before robe installation, believe me as a pro i have painted many the inside of robes, you will have a neater job and save time. Some wardrobe companies insist on the installation prior to carpet so you have a better fit to the floor, so check it out prior to timing the carpet. So paint first, asked your robe company if they have a preference and if not, carpet then robe. Hope baby arrives safe and healthy ready to enjoy the new environment you are making. Good luck and all the best. Regards Paul Wales

Hi jdublya, happy new year and sorry about the late reply! I ended up doing the safe / lazy thing... left the floor untouched and painted a feature wall deep grey, as well as having two-toned grey curtains to both the sliding doors, and a dark grey area rug. The open plan living / dining gets lots of light, so it's still bright even with all the dark greys. We've paired it with mismatched sofas in light grey and brown, and sage green throws. Overall, it's still a "warm" look and not the cool Scandi look I would have preferred, but it's cozy and the greys have really calmed down the red. It's a lot more to my taste now than the show room furniture was. Bits of the floor finish are coming off though, I think (where the kitchen island stools have been dragged over the years by the past occupant), so in time I will get the opportunity to re-do the floor and it'll no longer be red!

I think that ceaserstone or marble would compete too much with your tiles and could look odd because of that. In the examples you provide, the one lot of marble stairs are with a very plain tile and the other looks like it matches the floor exactly. Your tiles have a bit of a swirly pattern so unless you chose a very plain stone/marble it would clash IMO. Also, ceasarstone can chip and I don't think it would be a very practical option for stairs. Timber would add a bit of warmth to your whole sleek look while still looking modern, and be something to tie your front door in with so it isn't the only warm looking thing in your whole light coloured area.

I agree it is a matter of personal choice, as well as being bigger than it really needs it to be to cover a 10mm gap and the profile will just making cleaning harder and provide a ledge for dust to sit on. I'm going to ask for it to be removed. Where there is kickboard I'm going to install another 16mm layer of kickboard and where there are white cabinets I'm going for white splay bead as suggested in previous comments. Thank you to everyone who offered advise, I've learnt heaps :-)