Hi Jenny Can you borrow some large samples from the supplier? This would allow you to see colours against the jarrah (which is rather lovely, by the way) We could give you colour ideas, but it has to be your choice for your taste Only you know what you can live with If it's reassurance you're after: so long as light flooring is a greater amount than the jarrah, I think the proportion will make it work Mixed timbers are good, as they add interest to the space

There is no way I would put anything that in any way resembles a bookcase there . I love the pots , and I'd incorporate them , but you only have to look and see ( or maybe see the irony ) -- great big picture windows looking at the wonderful greenery , and not a plant to be seen inside . Just me , I'd do a mix of styles and cultures -- those pots , some colourful glazed terracotta ones in brighter earthtones , green leafy plants , a bamboo , a fat cactus , a tall cactus in the pots , some river rocks and some pebbles ( in a frame if you have kids ) -- almost a fusion mixed garden of contemplation . $1000 max for a subtle or bold as you wish feature . . . . . . . . . .

because of the extra downstairs ceiling height requiring more risers and a longer run and, assuming there's nothing downstairs, to interfere with this idea my suggestion is a return stair in the north east corner of the living areas upstairs and down, in front of the window, with or without storage underneath..there should be no need to rearrange the kitchen but the island will now be too long and you could push the stove wall and counter back into the old stairwell space to accommodate a shorter island with a wip...there are numerous on line companies that will make a custom sized stair for DIY but imo this is the simplest location without compromising stair safety and comfort and an open railing shouldn't interfere with the views

Two issues -- The middle size looks 'about right' and approx 40cm diameter ( approx 2/3rds the size of the larger one ) . But I don't think it suits many modern styles -- a beach inspired place with say white woven wallpaper or seagrass style flooring or some distressed furniture would be complemented by this , but a modern build with say painted walls doesn't do anything with this style IMO . Go classier rather than laid-back would be my advice , and that would depend on the decor . And thinking about things , one 'trick' I used in a commercial building I own was 5 polished copper shades up an L shaped stairway -- the ceiling was flat , so nearly 5 metres 'up' at the base , and I used 28cm ones with the biggest round clear LED bulbs ( 8Watt ) I could get , all hung on that oldstyle '1940's iron' type cord , so they were all 2.6metres above the stair below -- it created that 'going up' visual effect . One large light ( especially say 4 metres above the deck ) won't give that effect .