Thanks for the follow up! I knew this fireplace would be the death of me! We ended up just rendering and painting for this winter, and we have just worked with our cabinetmaker to add some shelving on either side - awaiting design and quote. Im actually really happy with the fireplace, but I'd like to tile it eventually. @C P yours looks fantastic! Argh! I can't upload pics!

Thanks Julie. That is exactly how I want this to look. We made this wooden bench to avoid buying ready made. I ll check cushion factory. I am considering a beige seat to ensure we can use all colors for any pictures I may want to hang in the background. Though I am tempted to go pink. :) I love the k mart stuff. I am just hoping to get some storage, so the third option looks the best. But this is an outdoor storage bench. You think it would look good indoors ? I am hoping to get something made of wood, so it does not damage. I do like the below , but again its particle board. Also, the coffee table I have will go in the veranda. So I could get a new coffee + side table. https://www.kmart.com.au/product/sideboard-oak-look/2078828?&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIpvTcyc3m3gIVX_7jBx2Xxg2kEAQYASABEgISOfD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

caligon, the more thought that you put into your brief the better will be the final result. Don't be too prescriptive. If you say that you need bedrooms to accomodate, "husband and wife, two teenage kids and the occasional interstate visitor", tells your designer a lot more than "must have four bedrooms". Think about the functions of the home, how you entertain, and the relationship between spaces. Think about what makes the site unique, and what works (and doesn't work) in your current home. Think about your age, current mobility, future mobility and how long you are planning on living there. Don't tell your designer where you want things as it stifles any creativity. If they are experienced they will know how a house works. Think about project cost, rather than build cost. Every brief is different, and tells a perceptive designer so much about your needs and household. During the design process you can check back on the brief to see how well your designer is working. A brief is not a shopping list of must-haves, but an understanding of how your household operates and functions, and a good design should respond to this. The briefing process makes a client evaluate what is important to them, and provides an opportunity for discussion between members of the household. As part of my design process I allow two hours to sit down with a client to collaboratively create a brief together (usually in their current home), which ensures that my clients are delighted with my designs. If you have no idea on how or where to start please contact me, Regards, Dr Retro of Dr Retro House Calls

The sample house looks fantastic. You have oodles of options for headboard from covered to solid, incorporating side tables or not, to ceiling feature wall, etc. you really just need to look at pics at make a personal choice