Like you said, you obviously have a light issue in the room due to the addition of the corner ceiling light and the need for sheers. Maybe paint the ceiling white. Definitely replace sheers with white plantation shutters and add your beautiful chosen pendant lights over the table. As the table is long maybe you can have the light above the window (and if there is a third one further along) moved in to have them over the table. If the pendant is very large have only one or two and remove the extra light/s altogether. You could also possibly add two wall sconces to the wall opposite the windows depending on the overall room. If you physically can't electrically fit lights on the walls now consider battery candles in the glass flutes. This would give lovely mood lighting. Have the white plantation shutters with no additional curtains but have a very large striped rug either the same red as in your photo with creamy beige to blend with lighter wall; or a light blue and white/ creamy beige rug. The light blue stripe would give a relaxed sense to the room. You may need to have these rugs made up. On the table, change to a larger silver tray and look to improving its content holders to silver and glass, light blue china and one low wide rounded fresh flower vase in silver. For dinner, remove your tall vase of roses and replace with a couple of large glass fluted candle holders with silver base rims with pillar candles either side of the tray. Best wishes.

I really like this building, and I love the railing... I would not change the railing. Is the railing the same thing as balustrade? (sorry I am not familiar with that term.... if it is, I think that I agree that I would do my best to maintain the character of it when I am trying to meet building code requirements). I think that it is reflective of the period that this house was built. I think that some nice landscaping of the property would add to its street appeal. I would love some hedging, and perhaps some flowers. I would remove the white railings that are next to the parking area (I am not speaking about the staircase railing, which I like.) The railings that are next to parking area, and entry into parking area are not very appealing... some hedges here would definitely add to the appeal. I would also remove all of the straggly looking plants and opt for something slightly more formal. The parking garage next to the building is unattractive. I think that this is much less appealing than the apartment building itself. The area definitely needs to be paved and I would explore the costs of improving this area. I think that while people like car spaces, this whole area detracts from the apartment complex which is actually quite nice. Also, is the paved area that is outside the stairs for visitor parking? I think that could be improved as well. If you do not need visitor parking, I would put a grass area here, and possibly a gate or formal hedging at the boundary of the property. I might even add something for tenants to use. Perhaps a bench or picnic table. I am not certain what the horizontal bar is that is between the windows on the upper floor. Can you have something more decorative there? (perhaps the street name 32 Hill Street (or whatever the street number is) ... written out in a decorative font that is in keeping with the time period of the building. I have seen this on some buildings in Sydney, and it actually looks nice. I think that I might change the red color on the end of the stairs. Is the seemingly paved area outside of the stairs a parking area? In one of the pictures I see a set of blue curtains in the upper window. I would replace this with something like a roman blind, so that all window treatments are the same. (I think that it has more appeal from the outside.) Good Luck!

definitely remove the "blob". update the a/c. widen steps. paint gutter and eaves. kill the awning. texture coat the brick walls. I would suggest removing the lawn (weed killer or cover it with weedmat and let it die is cheaper than having it dug up and removed), remove the slope by placing a low retaining wall and cutting and filling it, weed mat, underground sprinklers, strategically placed plants - I would suggest agaves, dragon tree, dracenas, a large feature cactus? etc..., 100 mm thick layer of a nonorganic mulch of your liking. reuse the existing rocks amongst the mulch (half bury them). costs are high to set up, then it is very low maintenance, not much watering required. you may wish to consider a water feature or even 3 d wall panels instead of texture coating (pretty similar costs).

as a fellow downsizer my suggestions are aimed at comfort and easy access.. rotation of the ensuite allows for more walking space and room for a small side table and chair near the bath. the toilet room closer to the bedroom door keeps wet floors away from the vanity and consider adding grab rails for comfort in the shower and they also make great towel rails and easier to add during construction ...I've stolen a little space off the living areas to add extra walking space in the guest room and study, these rooms are now interchangeable (if you prefer the study with a view) and the guest bathroom has external access for the pool...strongly recommend you identify purposes for all the storage areas so spaces can be designed to suit eg the space on the right as you walk in from the garage could be ideal for sit down bench with wall racks for coats etc or a counter for sorting bags of groceries ...you created an excellent plan and I would be happy to change or explain any of my suggestions