Hi everyone, I'd like to thank you all for your input. Have been a busy spring and summer, but now I'm back and able to focus on the living room. Couple of things have been done/removed since lately: 1. Leather lounge set: I've (luckily) sold the leather lounge set - absolutely great piece with great quality, but not my taste at all. It made a world difference to the living room and even dear hubby, who liked the set, did acknowledge that the difference of less furnitures is great. 2. The rug 3. The white cabinet 4. New curtains with pelmet I love the pelmet although it's old style and yes, the curtains are too short! Will amend this at later stage :) These changes have made a huge impact on the room. Also, I'm also open to change the dining table with chairs for another nice option in an attempt to make this more interesting/cozy/inviting. So, these are the only things that I won't be able to change (we may (note on may) also move house by the end of this year/early next year) # Blinds # Colour of trims and built-in bookcase # Camel back sofa - I'm happy to reupholster it though and change the fabric. This will cost $2000 but I think it's worth it since they are really comfortable and are of good quality. I'd like to integrate the white frame with the gold poster in the design - an idea is to place 3x posters on the biggest wall of the air conditioner. I'm aware that a brown frame may suit the gold poster better, but I'm so tired of the colour brown at this moment. --------- So, I now feel I'm able to adjust as per your suggestions and recommendations much easier now. Appreciate every response and idea (And sorry for the mess of papers on the desk and floor! We're busy professionals and sometimes I have to let my husband have his creative space despite my OCD when it comes to decluttering and keeping it tidy)

Without knowing exactly what your layout is, I throw this idea up, to be shot down by those who know better than I do. You have "a beautiful navy two seater." You have a new baby on the way. You're on a tight budget. Why not keep your existing furniture, buy a nice chair to fill up the gaps, and an inexpensive carpet which will withstand baby issues? To me, a home is something to be lived in, that fits my lifestyle and my budget. If my home isn't every going to figure in a design magazine (and it isn't), that's okay, because I don't want to be sitting up nights worrying about bills, or splashing out money for cheap furniture that looks good but doesn't last past the second child.

This is another way, the dining table is a great put down for bringing things in from the car and behind the door, "Mudroom" for all those coats bags keys etc. A large artwork on the wall next to the dining table would dress up that wall Your outdoor area is big enough for an outdoor setting and BBQ, and you will be able to pass food through the kitchen window by taking down the fly screen while having BBQ's great apartment, cheers

I think you need to change your thinking from 'living room', to 'generously sized entry hall' as you have so many doors and walkways through this space it's hard to imagine it will be a cozy TV nook. I would place a pair of comfortable armchairs towards the corner to the stairs with a round rug to help create a zone within the space, while still allowing a flow around the space for people entering the house. You might also have a side table and ottoman to complete the grouping. Good luck