BEFORE & DURING. I forgot to take a photos of the window before I painted, but you can just see it in the first photo, BLUE! All the skirting & frames were blue! The wardrobe doors had never been painted so were very dirty & stained and the wall colour that I actually thought was a dirty yellow seemed more beige once I painted over it with my lovely pale yellow. It has brightened the room up so much. The only thing I haven't done is the blue door. In my other daughters room (which is mirror image of this room) all four doors were painted blue!! It was a really big job to cover that blue. And so with this room I decided instead I will swap it for another door in house that will be getting taken out when we renovate. :-)

@ Hilda Tinkle...LOVE your room...mostly love the rugs and, in my view, those artworks are as if they were purpose commissioned ! "The whole" I am sure reflects your personality! Its been very interesting watching it all grow. As for replacing the lamp stand, personally, I really like that stand both for the room proportions and... for that friendly, substantial chunky lamp. I feel...and that's "feel"....that I'd want to put some sort of novel,decorative, low, longer, narrow, open construct couchside table/magazine/book 'depository'/drink putter-on (phew) at the side of the couch ...a proportionate space away from the side of the couch...something that has room for the lamp at the end to sit exactly where it does now under the yellow painting....Or, keep the lamp stand where it is and add a little bit of decorative yet functional whimsy at the couchside. It would need to be the perfect thing...I see a little nest of small decorative tables in my mind's eye...just feel you need to relieve the substantial solid feel with something that looks light and.... airy?....hard to describe, just a mind image. How about one larger cushion among the array of small ones? I've not seen your room for a while. I love what you've done..dignified, furnished in quality items and more to the point..themed ! Imagining myself relaxing in that room along with a friend or two....find myself wanting something tall that draws focus, maybe that accentuates the purpose of the room or calls attention to the theme...just a thought. I spent my early childhood in the Pacific and was surrounded by artifacts and furnishings that had the same "feel" as your room. I am really impressed by your attention to detail and how you've managed to assemble it all so it appears purpose made to go together, Congrats on ...substance ! Where did it all start...I've forgotten....with the rugs?

Thanks everyone for your suggestions. I am amazed at the response! I think we will go ahead and change the benchtops, replace the cooktop with stainless steel, a new rangehood, splashbacks and new door and drawer handles and possibly a new sink and taps. We will consider painting the beam and post and add a modern blind to the window. Then if we are still not happy, maybe we can rethink the painting of the cupboards? Actually, I like the timber, so if these changes work I will be more than happy to leave them as they are. Our floor tiles are relatively new and are throughout the entire downstairs area. Also, the wall paint we know is not the right tone (for the floor tiles) but is in good nick and will be remaining until we are ready to repaint. Rome wasn't built in a day but I will add photos when we start the process and you can follow our progress. Thanks again

Seems there are a few who have gone before you and are sharing advice on forums etc. http://www.performanceforums.com/forums/showthread.php?67232513-The-next-project-painting-the-shed-floor http://www.bobvila.com/articles/bob-vila-radio-painting-garage-floors/#.WArj82U7bxA http://www.aussiev8.com.au/members-lounge/46685-painting-your-shed-garage-floor.html