This looks like a pretty good start but keep in mind that you already have a lot of hard surfaces (tiles floor, stone benches etc) that are going to bounce a lot of sound around that space. The big trick with open-plan living is to try to keep the ambient sound levels muffled and soft. Make sure that you put nice soft felt floor protectors on the feet of everything – you don't want to hear each time a chair or stool is dragged across the tiles. Don't even think of adding a glass-topped table to the mix – every time a glass is put down, a plate is shifted or cutlery moved it clinks and bangs (not to mention that they are the very devil to keep spotlessly clean and shiny and if they're not they look horrible). A timber table does not have to look 'woody' or clash with (or match) the floors – timber can be painted or stained and there are some very classy looking laminates out there that are easier to live with than glass. As others have said some rugs defining the zones within this large room will help to soften both the look and the sound, as well as introduce some colour. I also find the spacing of the pendant lights rather clunky – try spacing lights across the island rather than stringing them out across the full width of the ceiling.

We have moved 3 times. Next time I 'm going to ask the buyers of this place would they like to buy my patio/pot plants. Plants are so bulky, heavy and awkward. Each time we have moved I have used such care but my favourite's have still curled up and died, not adjusting to the new environment. I think better to get a few dollars towards the new ones. After selling our last house and moving 500k's the agent rang me settlement day, said the buyers wanted to buy my patio plants. To late we had hired a trailer took them to the new place where in 6mths they were dead. If I'd only known !!

I think you need some darker artwork like graphics or abstract or B/W prints to ground the place and charcoal fluffy cushions instead of white . You could do a gallery wall with prints in black frames and a floor lamp.

Hi Terri So glad you found our advice for your living room helpful. Here are a few tips to instantly modernise your dining space, without having to replace your dining set: 1) From what I can see, the combination of furniture and artwork you currently have in your dining area, can potentially make this space appear smaller than I think it actually is. Also, the combination of darker colours and timber in a medium size space tend to absorb the light, where lighter colours help reflect the light and make a space feel more vibrant and spacious. Replacing the current artwork with something lighter and brighter, will instantly enhance this space. The 'Orange Blossom' canvas with a timber look shadow box frame from Urban Road is lighter and will match all the colours of your dining table, chairs, wall and even rug. ->Urban Road 2) Another easy thing to do is get a neutral colour runner for your dining table to break the solid timber look. This one from Freedom 'Noya table runner' will work well ->Freedom runner 3) Adding 3 large vases placed on the runner to match the colours of the artwork will help add interest to the space. These rustic vases from Temple and Webster -> Tall Vases for example will do just that. 4) Last but not least, adding a large potted plant will immediately liven up a room. If you don't have time to maintain a live plant, go for the synthetic option. Freedom has a great selection of larger plants, and these days you can get synthetic plants that look exactly like the real thing. Put them all together and you will have a beautiful space to enjoy :-)