A rug under the table will cause problems when moving the chairs. To be safe and no nuisance, it has to be a huge rug. (A large round(!) floor cover....?) I like the street lamp. But I guess it is a STREET - lamp and makes the room rather sterile. It is kind of tallish in the corner and enhances to large distance to the ceiling. bring something else down from the ceiling. I guess you don't want a lamp because you have downlights. Do some search for some nice art, which does not move (shadows) in the light. Or use a beige old fashioned chandelier. Go bit by bit. And think about the carpet before you get it. Work on flow and lightness, delight, round parts, oval to balance the room. If I painted something, I would paint the stark white frames a little softer/toned. The white is a hard contrast. So is the black. (And I would probably paint a half wall white.) And the black ornament (light?) that comes down from the ceiling must come further down, should be larger. And then I would play with the room for dinner situations..... you can bring all the colour in you like. I wonder what the room looks like during the day. Try taking the (beautiful) mirror out and hang a canvas. The plant on the table looks forlorn. The Arabic lamp in the left corner looks lonely too. this would be a nice corner for a piece of furniture. An extra chair finds room in spots like this often. Do you have enough space when serving food? (Can you get light switches in a colour like the walls?) I would probably take 2 chairs out unless they are constantly needed and take the placemats off. Put a larger item.... maybe a plate of fruit in the middle. The repetition of chairs and placemats enhances the very formal atmosphere. I have just seen a cream coloured chandelier. Glass is too stark and black not suited to brighten the situation up. I love the room for its sheer size and uncluttered atmosphere!

Hi Sandra, what a beautiful room you can make, I would love your fire place, my thoughts would be to go the lighter colours including painting you panelling, as a few others above have suggested keep the trim and wall colour similar, big floor rug as suggested also. Our sitting room is 4x4 metres, when we first moved in, I painted it quite a dark pink shade and had way too much dark furniture from our downsize that I thought I could not live without. After two years of trying to make myself like it, I finally heavily culled furniture and changed paint colour to a very light grey tone. It probably isn't my perfect colour choice but heaps better, I also purchased some lighter profile furniture, I sit in this room so often now, I just love it, it has gone from a room I tried not to look at, to a room I really like being in. I will put a couple of before and after in for looking at darker colours to lighter colours from very similar angles

Dear Mandy, my advice is to first check with your local council regulations on facades, and new builds for what the rules are in your area. Taking a look at the proposed location/street also can give you an idea of whats do-able, as you will need to make the building at least 2 stories high to accomplish your idea. Some councils/streets do not allow 2 + stories to be built unless a precedent has already been set in the same street/neighbourhood. If you do not yet own a plot of land for the build, make sure you check those facts before purchasing. Provided the former has been accepted by council, you will still need to meet Australian standards for ceiling heights, floor heights, etc and an Architect can give some great advice there and create some plans for you. To make a Warehouse feel cosy you will need to consider warm materials such as wood, and textiles such as rugs or wall treatments to create warmth and a feeling of cosiness. Best of Luck, PARS Building Construction

In your post you said you were after a provincial look. You could bring in some accent chairs in that style and use throws and cushions in the blue from rug and the red also, to bring together. This is colours as Julie suggested. Visit your local second hand furniture store, they may have furniture pieces you can start with. I find sometimes rooms come together better over time. You will see things that are your style, and this will add to the room. Don't think you have to 'finish' the room straight away. And I agree with other post. Paint is an inexpensive way to change a room.