Air condition is called aircon, the combo air conditioner & heaters that you hang high on a wall are called swingers. Countertops are called benches, yards are called a gardens, closets-wardrobe, bonus room-rumpus room, hardwood floors or any wood is called timber. Living in the country is living in the Bush. Carpenters are called a Chippy, electrician -Sparky, brick layer-bricky, plumber-dunny driver. Downtown is called CBD. Neighbor is spelled neighbour. If a room is painted and decorated in updated colors & pattens they are called “Fresh”. If a house is updated in higher end-sophisticated materials it’s called “smart”. Fittings-are basically light fixtures, plumbing fixtures, appliances. Color is spelled colour. Picture rails are still pretty common. Queenslander-is a traditional style of home in Queensland that has a bungalow/Victorian/country/cottage feel. “security screens” are popular on windows & doors-which is a metal lattice. Full fences around your property are also popular.

Hi Ginny, What a great room! Artwork always adds personality, ambience and interest to a room. Please see attached some images of your room with some original artwork by Australian artist all of which are available on hatch-d. Artwork depends on your personality and the size and lighting in your room. I'd be very happy to help you find the right pieces for your room at a great price. Just email me through the website and we can start an obligation free conversation. Best, Jacqui

I am coming in very late to this discussion. But is there enough room in your space to move the furniture like this? I have moved your wooden coffee table where the couch is, and moved the cabinet so it is not the first thing you see as you enter. Moving the grey side tables to form one “modular” table creates a uniform look that doesn’t sacrifice functionality. The marble side table would then be used next to the other couch (as the cabinet is where it used to be) I would also take up the whole space between the aircon and the floor to hang your ‘family’ picture frames. The gorgeous plant is then placed on top of the coffee table to become the hero in the space. I noticed you used a grey soft looking throw blanket on the couch to the right. Is it possible to get matching versions of this to cover the sofa against the wall for the dogs? The texture and colour of the sheets you are currently using is what disconnects your lovely couch from the rest of the space. Regardless of what artworks you choose to use for above the couch, having a darker frame will help to ground them in the space. The white frames are getting lost against the white brick wall at the moment. You have great taste in furniture, it seems to be editing the layout of the space that is not quite working in your zone. Hope this helps!

Rachael, you’re very welcome! It was fun to draw up. As far as layering photos, I wasn’t suggesting you cover one photo with another, (what is the point of having beautiful photos and memories then! Lol) rather, overlap the edges of the frames (both are quite wide from your photos) so that they are connected without obscuring the images within. Hope that makes sense! What a difference just painting that back wall makes! It really opens up the room now. I think the few bricks around your fireplace now is a very charming feature. It keeps the charm of the original while bringing the rest of the room into a fresh new era! Well done! I would suggest running a long extension chord for your tv for now while you try out a new layout for the space if there are no powerpoints on the far wall, just to be sure you like the arrangement. Can’t wait to see updated images of your new space!