Looking at the shadows, I am wondering whether the wall with the plaques on it faces north. If so, can the height of this be reduced? If it is north facing, the room beyond the courtyard would be extremely dark in winter - miserable and cold. If this wall could be dropped so that it is 1.5 metres tall, possibly with a line of fastigiate deciduous trees on the far side to then provide DECIDUOUS height, winter would be lighter and the solid mass of the wall would be reduced. It really is a rather difficult spot. And the paved base of the courtyard only allows for pots unless you want to dig up the pavers and put in tree ferns etc. But then it looks as though the area would get the full blast of hot midday sun. I live in coastal SW Victoria where our climate is similar to yours. But we still get hot days during summer which can scorch plants that haven't acclimatised to this heat.

I would definitely try to move the handrail to the outside of the stairs, the wider the stairs appear, the more welcoming and functional they will be. I don't think I'd go with steel though, I would keep to the era which was timber, it could be painted or stained. I also like most of the ideas and in addition think that painting the rafters a light colour toning with your overall theme will make the whole area feel more expansive. Add a feature to the entrance by way of colour on the door, as suggested or some very sleek ornament on the wall as suggested or my preference would be to feature the risers as mentioned.

A guest bedroom should be inviting and relaxing but walking into a room with dbl. lge mirrors and seeing yourself twice on every occasion is not my idea of inviting. The chest is nice, how does that tone with the bedset? Could that be put on the wall opposite the curtains, add new crystal knobs and put a tiny chair offside with it and a small picture above with timber frame.How about a quilted beadhead in med. weight fabric to match the colour in the quilt (not navy) and do you need tables each side of bed? Don't know room size. Don't change things except for some plain cushions, some to match a small lamp. And please, no silver paint! :-( a quilted bedhead in

You wont find Ann B here- this is where you post a design dilemma