thankyou housson! yes im thinking of a medium brown (see piks) but not sure if its going to make the room look smaller or just be nice and cosy like im visualizing? yes i was thinking about doing the white boarding on the ceiling (think this is what you mean by clapboards?) will just make it even more 'country' tell me which of the piks you like.... P.S. my fiance is not too sure about the blue roof in the first one haha

Tricky job to do properly. Talk to a plasterer that does restoration work.

hope this works, heres a picture concept of bedroom design and how it would look laid out like floorplan. the wall colour is chic shadow grey. what are your thoughts on the lighting would it suit? the hardwood floors are a vintage light colour

Just at a glance , if you lower the floor joists ( which would be a big and expensive job in itself ) the downstairs would be too low ? I don't know the rules , nor how big your place is , but you may have to take out the stairs and not use upstairs ; or put walls or cupboards along the side walls to get to the 60% 'rule' ; maybe use it only as an office ? Another option may be to put wheels on your house , and claim it is a tiny house -- don't laugh , often councils are that tied up in their own rules they will have to allow it , as it will completely confuse them !