We had similar but ours still had a mantle around it ( and a broken and disused gas heater in it, had been an open fire place we chose to line it with timber put a shelf inside and doors on. My husband plan is for another TV above the mantle using the chimney for cords and cupboard for DVDs player etc I like a sitting room without Tv so have filled up cupboard with board games by the time my husband wins and puts in a tv they will no longer need DVDs player etc

Hi Pam, I have regrouted shower recess in the past. It was quite easy to get the fretting grout out using a grout removing tool from Bunnings etc. made the job easy. A bit harder on any grout that is good but a mainly scoured that rather than complete removal. The regrouting I found a physically hard the not technically difficult. It made a huge difference, freshened up the look. Once dry, I think I left it for a week (to be sure to be sure). Then scrubbed the tiles clean and gleaming. Then had the whole thing professionally re sealed - he put in a bead of something around the shower base to really make sure it was water tight, then did the sealant. It then sparkled and was easy to clean. At the same time we put in new taps, changed the glass and put in a new vanity and cistern on the toilet. The whole job was under $2000 (including trades plumber and glas installer ) but the difference it made I think was worth it. Our house had been on the market close on three years. The next buyer through after completion bought it. Who knows but it did make a huge difference and I was even a bit sad to leave it. I don't know what I didn't do it for myself years before

What a find! Most houses of this era in Sydney have been gutted and renovated or bulldozed. Agree with all previous comments on keeping the general era as is, just freshen up. Definitely do the left hand window, either a tart up or replacement. Only disadvantage with pulling up carpet for the (no doubt beautiful) floorboards is that they didn't exactly have the same building standards back then! There may be gaps between the tongue and groove, or patchy lengths if they were always going to carpet over the top. You will probably want to insulate under them too. Possible better to keep the carpet until you have the money set aside for any eventuality of replacement work. If you don't want to keep the interior trim timber, just make sure you sand back the layers of estapol that would have been put on the over the years. The original was probably an oil based stain with shellac over it and others would have been added over the top. Many undercoats or stain blockers or even ESP claim to 'cover up' old stain etc, but in the 6 houses I have done for myself, and 13 houses I have flipped, I have not seen any of them work properly. Colour from underneath still bleeds through. I use a Black & Decker mouse with 80 grit paper to rip the top off, then go back over it with 120 or 140 grit. Make sure you have a P2 mask on while doing it! It is a bit of work, but worth it in the long run. The finish will be smoother, the colour more uniform and you won't get bleed in the future. A Pascol undercoat on the trim, then Dulux Natural White (which is a soft white with warmth) low sheen on the walls and an Aquanamel in the same colour semi gloss (or gloss if you like that) for the trim. It is a colour that takes on the characteristics of whatever colours you put with it, unlike a stark white that screams against anything competing with it, or a tinted white that you need to compliment. As for landscaping, I agree with Annie Cass. Homes like this were of the traditional English era and were complimented by an English country garden. Quite formal with borders, roses and flowering shrubs. Very thirsty too! Annie's suggestions are the Australian version of that though you will have to keep the cyprus' down. They do grow quite tall and will block the view/sunlight from the front. The RHS of the driveway looks ripe for Jasminoides (star Jasmine. They require little are of soil for planting and little water once established. Green all year and have the most glorious scented white flowers. Unlike Ivy or some other climbers, they are not invasive. Run some steel cable along the fence through each of the uprights (drill holes and thread through with turnbuckles on the ends) for it to climb on. It will be the only thing you need down there as it should take off nicely with all that sun! Just make sure you poke the tendrils back and train them regularly to keep it on the wires and keep it trimmed back so as to not block your driveway. Most of all, have fun with it!

Some amazing suggestions above, if you're after a more budget friendly approach... I would reduce the brown-based colours (beige walls, beige calico looking curtain etc) and dark colours to make it feel less focused on the rustic wood. Cooler, fresher colours such as layering fresh white and pale greys, if you wish an interesting pop colour, but keep it 'muddy' (not too bright/primary) to sit well with the neutrals and the wood tone. So possibly a beautiful muted chatreuse, mustard, or even a deep teal. Definitely change your bedlinen - fresh whites and pale greys and then play on texture using beautiful linen, perhaps a couple of cushions in velvet (Target have some quite good quality ones). And I also think some large Euro pillows will soften the impact of the bedhead and get a larger quilt cover and let it sit/fall naturally over the foot of the bed, rather than tucking it in, this will also disguise the heavy wood. If you want to go further I'd definitely recommend changing your cream walls to a natural white or pale grey, even a warm based grey. Then change your curtain to a neutral blind or better yet a plantation shutter - this will look more contemporary classic and is also great for bedrooms in adjusting light nicely and privacy. Then once you've done all that and see how it all settles, buy some interesting bedside lamps, style with some lovely contemporary classic items such as a candle, small vase, or a small marble tray. Love this... http://www.westelm.com.au/arc-mid-century-table-lamp-medium-antique-bronze-w2015 Though this shape could suit the solid furniture better. http://www.westelm.com.au/acrylic-column-table-lamp-w1355  Or even this? https://www.freedom.com.au/lighting/lighting-accessories/table-lighting/191/23841079/xenon-table-lamp?reflist=lighting/lighting-accessories/table-lighting Layering other elements will take the focus off the bedroom suite and it should sit harmoniously with all the rest.