Finally got there! Yes it’s very practical. We will lighten it up with a nice rug and table. Ideas welcome I’d course!

It does look lovely.

I was going to suggest that you considered getting your parents to reupholster the old furniture, with white leather cushions and painting the wooden frames but TOO LATE obviously. I hope the old furniture was recycled to a good home as it really did have good bones and lots of potential.

I would paint the brick walls off white, that will immediately look more modern and it gives a lot more light so you can pull off that dark grey carpet that your parents like! And then maybe consider new curtains with a pattern?

Definitely would white wash the bricks, then go for a dark grey carpet and perhaps a light grey lounge with washable covers. ditch the curtains and add white shutters for a modern look.

Go for a neutral shade for the couch. Don't buy a matching chair. X2 couches same is okay. Occasional chair something different, perhaps a colour or patterned fabric. I like sofas that are off the floor to give a more floating look but the one you like is a classic style, I think "hamptons". Get the furniture Fibre guarded upon delivery, it really does make a difference to the batterings of spills etc.
If purchasing a rug do that last. People always buy too small. Front legs of furniture must sit on rug or all furniture to sit on the rug. Bring colour in with accessories. I still like the idea of soft curtains to creat a more relaxed cozy feel and will help break up the white brick look. Take rods right up to the ceiling.
Go for a mid grey carpet, not too dark as to see every bit of biscuit etc on it. Get good underlay. I would go for a coffee table not a matched ottoman. The room will look so different. Unsure if joinery was aluminum but if so could get a roller shade over it, otherwise paint it out.
Good luck and I look forward to some photos. Oh, colours. Warm grey, Resene Quarter truffle with stark white trims like Resene alabaster or Resene Black White. If you want more of a warm neutral look at colours of NZ Dulux. Quarter Opononi (there will be a match for that in Oz if not in NZ.

Those dark brick walls are making it seem very enclosed, definitely paint them white or lighten them up to give the room a more open and light feel.