I've had quite a bit of fun today moving furniture around to try out everyone's wonderful ideas. I have decided that the dining room needs to stay where it is, as it doesn't quite work with the hall which adjoins. I have moved the china cabinet over to the smaller wall though, as someone suggested and added a house plant here and there - it looks right. Not sure yet if I will go for a large buffet or a reading nook, but a large rug for the dining area is definite, as is art on that large wall. Now to decide ... one large piece or a collection?

Sorry Darlene but that's just no good...........a big part of the problem here is your trying to keep the cut out alfresco/outdoor living that is at odds with the style you are trying to work with, and it's causing the squeeze/compromise to the main central internal living spaces. There's nothing wrong with this type of thing in concept but they require experienced hands to resolve elegantly as opposed to a clunky way.... Refer to the plan I posted earlier - there is not one dogleg to be seen. paths of movement are streamlined and neat and proportions and alignments are balanced. What you've proposed above here walking straight into the dining area is not a good option and it makes your house feel smaller - this may be justified in situations say when you have no space in an apartment or unit scenario.........your on 2 acres or something? - your home should feel appropriately scaled and with space to breathe....... There are different plan configurations that will meet your particular brief requirements but the problem you have is that you are locked into this particular perimeter that has developed and then in the process of trying to sort it out you keep forcing/rejigging everything within the same shape/format that is actually not a fixed thing Here are your options: (a) seek some pro design guidance with a professional who understands the style/language you are working with - but don't be surprised if the nominated budget is exceeded in a custom format (b) explore some alternative options what siri & I suggested in considering off the shelf solutions of similar style that may be more aligned with your budget (c) keep going the way you are doing your head in fumbling around trying to DIY design your home but clearly falling short of your vision Best of luck!

We agree, a rug could help define and delineate the different spaces! It looks like you may need some specific and quite large sizes - look for rugs that can be ordered in custom sizes to take the stress out of trying to make stock rugs fit! You have an absolutely amazing artwork on the wall there - perhaps use these blues and golden tones as inspiration? Blues would looks great with the wooden cupboards and accents. Some suggestions: https://www.designerrugs.com.au/rug-collections/handknot-collections/contemporary-hand-knot/aegean-sky-blue/ https://www.designerrugs.com.au/rug-collections/handknot-collections/contemporary-hand-knot/dover-light-blue/ https://www.designerrugs.com.au/rug-collections/handknot-collections/contemporary-hand-knot/mars-light-blue/ https://www.designerrugs.com.au/rug-collections/handknot-collections/contemporary-hand-knot/morgan-grey-2/ https://www.designerrugs.com.au/rug-collections/handknot-collections/contemporary-hand-knot/soraya/ https://www.designerrugs.com.au/rug-collections/handknot-collections/contemporary-hand-knot/venus-beige/ https://www.designerrugs.com.au/rug-collections/handknot-collections/contemporary-hand-knot/twill-blue/ https://www.designerrugs.com.au/rug-collections/designer-collaborations/akira-isogawa-hirameki/batik-ubud/

As you guessed , I just express my opinion . Some agree , some don't . Some houses which I have sold 20 years ago are still in the same decor , other people may not have purchased . I prefer a planned colour pallette and something that has a Wow , and I definitely won't have the same colour walls and ceilings all through a property . Some fast food restaurants do have the same colour all the way through , but even they tend to have white ceilings or similar . I do have a ( small ) stainless deep fryer that does great chips though ! As far as texture goes , I 100% guarantee I would have more texture than this house , to use the obvious comparison . That is why , if you go back up to my original post , I suggested a feature wall of wallpaper , and a painting -- texture and colour . I don't like grey or beige as primary colours , and in fact don't consider them pastels either , but thats pointless arguing semantics . I wouldn't have that combo , the OP would -- good on her . If houzz only had people that agree , it may be very boring .