You are absolutely right! There are a group of people around here who really do like her paintings and that's what encourages her...and helps with her depression...better than taking pills! Been giving this further thought. Since she has no particular style at present maybe she could group the 'like' paintings in smaller displays here and there in 3s and 5s and some in casual bundles hung by the corners without frames. This might, for the first idea, look more like an attempt at decor and with the 'bundles' might tempt visitors to want to lift them up and see the others hidden underneath... she might be flattered at that and without seeming too eager to sell may achieve a triple positive...one for her self esteem, one seeming like decor in an painter's house and another, also decor but like a casual placement of works maybe waiting for frames...maybe trying to decide which to frame..( which to reject)...all sorts of little suggestive placements that could serve several purposes. For decor alone I like the idea of different profiles and coloured frames that suit each painting, the idea of smaller uneven numbered groups of "like" works...say the trees ones or the beach ones or the flower ones for example...and I also like the idea of stragecally pinned up bundles...maybe with a pin on the wall (if you don't mind holes) or on a nice thick string hung across the surface with paper clips or a bulldog clip... and a jar of brushes and/or tubes of paint nearby on a shelf. Empty frames casually hung in bundles also serve as decor. That's the only way I would have multiple paintings and "art things" on a wall. I understand about galleries showing several styles and artists together...sometimes, if the gallery owner or director..."has a clue", (surprising how many do not). he/she would be insightful enough to display the different styles so that the adjacent works complement each other and so more people would like more works. Amazing buying a work and then on getting it home, thinking you'd been given the wrong one...because it looked so different next to its partner on the wall ! Decor is important wherever displays of anything are mounted. Some of the mass marketing furniture places have no idea what to put next to what for good effect...have you noticed?

I think one of the problems in having free design range is the amount of options can also be paralysing. You will definitely have a style preference if you've started collecting images, things you'd love, things you will have and things you won't. Good start. I suggest breaking down the process into immediate and priorities stages of thinking, trying not to get to far ahead of yourself. For example it will be all too overwhelming if your fixating about door styles and handles before realising your layout cannot accomodate your ideas the first place. So collect images you aspire to and just look at them at face value. Next, your room layout. Make up a mud map so you start to factor in your own limitations as far as where windows, doors and openings prevent cabinetry, whether or not it adjoinslivingspaces, and how often, how many, and who will use the space at once. really consider these points. next, appliances, as they will impact the type of cabinetry you can have, ie wall ovens, freestanding ones, double under bench ones, huge fridges, or a single one, dish drawers or integrated units? Etc.. This will start to paint a picture of needs first! Then, create a parameter of cabinetry by drawings a plan, or your kitche shape, for example a galley, an l shape with an island, or a u shape,working within your rooms limitations already considered. having that in black and white, you can consider how you will use it, and what you require storing, factoring in drawers, access and accessories etc.. Play around until it works for you. NEXT start researching finishes. What will your doors and panels be made from? what surface, or finish will they have, gloss,satin, textured, timber ect. Do you want modern, classic or a mix of both? Then look back at your images and start eliminating your options by means of cost, style or function, and it will reveal your kitchen. I recommend then taking your well considered ideas into a cabinetmaker for a good sit down to discuss the finer details and listen how their valuable insights/contributions to make it better. As the homeowner and not the designer, your end result, is a great start for a professional to take things to the next level for you. good luck

The tile floor will always be the elephant in the room so consider if it is realistic to change. If you must keep the tiles here are some other fixes that will improve the space. 1. Look through Houzz and make a scrapbook of what you like - You need to determine the style of the kitchen -if you are to keep the doors you could head towards a hamptons style. Consider how the adjoining spaces are decorated as any changes may need adjustments elsewhere. I would cost out each element of the job and decide if you can do it all - possibly over time, as when you do one thing it makes others look shabby and the decisions you make for one aspect would have been different with an overall plan. 1. Remove the pelmet in the kitchen. 2. Paint the cupboards - possible going to a darker colour on the bottom and a lighter on the top. A dark charcoal could work and a grey toned white for the top cupboards. There are some nice Caesarstone options that could pick up these tones with a marble look. 3. The handles need to be heavier as they are trying to be contemporary when the cupboard profile is more traditional 4. You need to replace the bench top- this is your biggest problem as it is totally dated. 5. Your pantry doors ? are different and need to have the same handles. 6. Could go with white glass subways with a soft grey toned grout. If you change the cupboard profile - a squared off shaker style would work- remember that many of the gloss white kitchen s being built these days will soon be dated - so depending on the age of the house - stay traditional. good luck.

Besides the fact that it isn't my style (and thus I agree with oklouise to sell on ebay...), the first thing which strikes me, is the crammed working area: stove/ sink/ prep. How can you operate in that space? Other side appears to be too far away to be practical? Then the fridge! If you have an expensive and very ornate kitchen, you can't have a free standing fridge! One way or another your fridge has to be integrated, which brings you back to the style question. Either you like the style and just want to i.e.white wash it (liked that option, if you are into beachy, country), then you need a matching door made up (I'd calculate 2K) and buy an integrated fridge (A$ 2-4K) or you don't like the deco, lay-out, impractical space and want to replace it all, then you can possibly get away with a free-standing fridge in a much less ornate kitchen. If you basically don't mind the kitchen and can work well in the crammed working area, or your budget doesn't stretch to a new one (think about $ 25k+), I agree with the white wash solution and taking off all the excessive ornaments and trims, putting in a flat SS or glass range hood. Also install rails with hooks next to cook top and hang your utensils, you need every square inch on the counter! Microwave to be incorporated perhaps under oven and off benchtop. Maybe spend the money and buy a matching Miele microwave, will look nice with the oven. Look into brightening the gloomy kitchen (on top of white wash) by changing the black bench top and splash backs with light ones. It might save $$ if you just get the ex one covered ( I guess about A$ 6-7k). If it was my kitchen I would definitely sell it, before spending all that money on bench tops, fridge door, integrated fridge, m/w integration, removal of trims, painting, splash back etc. and still end up with a mediocre and impractical kitchen. Would be very interested to see more of your actual style. Can only make out an Ikea shelving unit on one photo... Your decision has a lot to do with the longevity (and cost) of a kitchen, your actual style and the practicability of the ex kitchen! If you can afford it, think long term and maybe save up for THE kitchen you want. If you want some tips on how to keep costs in check and still get a great result for a new kitchen, just contact me. Good luck.