A lot of tradespeople like welders, cabinetmakers, etc. are on their feet all day on concrete so I don't think thats the real issue. It isn't the prettiest space at the moment thats for sure. I'd polish the concrete. This will really make a great spot as paint may just wipe straight up if some gets spilt. If the polishing is too expensive a pressure clean and then a satin clear seller will look great. An alternative would be a marmoleum type of floor covering if you really hate the concrete. Look at 'Forbo'. Sixties beach shack..... I'm jealous by just hearing those words......

Spotted Gum is a great hard wearing timber with a Janka rating of 11. This means it is high density timber and won't dent as easily as softer timbers like American Oak. A polyurethane finish is the hardest and most durable timber floor coating and it comes in gloss satin and mat. The lower sheen's are more forgiving if you you have pets and young children. Bamboo is another hard product but only comes in short lengths so you would need to take that look into consideration when selecting. Some clients don't like the look of the short boards and consider it a cheap look. Others prefer the longer floor boards of timber. If you do choose bamboo make sure that you find out the coating used and whether it can be sanded and re coated down the track, as all timber and bamboo floors will need a touch up especially if you have pets. Some bamboo floors can not be sanded due the coating used. Hope this helps. Our website may offer some inspiration. Good Luck http://budgetfloorsanding.com.au/

Happy home - the gold light is from beacon, it's called the aksel pendant (they have a few different styles in this range). The grey one over the dining table is from West Elm - it is called the mobile chandelier, we have the smaller size, but it comes in a larger version too - http://www.westelm.com.au/mobile-chandelier-large-w1885?quantity=1&attribute_1=Antique%20Brass Both light fittings are still available. Thanks to everyone else for the suggestions, it's going to be a tough decision - and the bigger issue will be finding two rugs, as I will no doubt need one under the dining table and another in the lounge area. So finding two, that work together in a complimentary way... eeek!

. Concrete is fine on pinterest, it's even fine in corporate canteens but it's not a homely feel at all. If however you are sold on the look but want a more removable option I can recommend lino. NOT vinyl but real, Lino. It's a different thing, harder wearing than vinyl and can actually look very chic and more closely match concrete look without creating an unpleasant surface to walk on in bare feet. The worst thing about hard floorings like tile and concrete is they are unpleasant on your feet in winter. I live in a house with lino however and it's much warmer and a better feel on the feet than a hard surface flooring. Easy to care for and importantly easy to remove when you get sick of it. Marmoluem is a true lino, which BTW is actually a very sustainable and organic product. Lino is made from jute, seed flours and linseed oil. It's compostable. But it's unique composition is what also gives it a warm and beeswax like feel underfoot, which is very comfortable. You can get it in a some very nice concrete like shades, patterns and even raised textures. It's a sheet flooring so there are few joins, something tiles cannot offer. Tiles, once stuck to the floor are an absolute b****h to remove without a lot of damage, noise and expense. Lino can simply be lifted like carpet.