I'm amazed that this discussion has carried forward for nearly two years! In that time I have moved to another coastal area (cooler climate and better proximity to children) and this time found most of the discussion still rings true. Finding another home here was an incredibly frustrating journey made all the worse by a mad investor rush in the area just when we arrived to start our home search. That search took the best part of six months and in the end there would only be three or four houses to choose from in any week. Result? A rushed purchase, a desperately inadequate building inspection and failure on my part to notice poor bathroom tiling, shortage of closet and storage pace, just how small the lounge room really was, and etc. I disappointed myself because I had let the pressures beat me and now we are trying to resolve all of these issues in a home designed and built by one of this states most respected project home builders 25 years ago. Having now studied the floor plan with more care I realise it was put together (designed) in modular fashion - most bedrooms have similar dimensions and the living areas are all approximately the same size as if the designer simply juggled three boxes of one size and four of another size and then worked out traffic flow. Then he must have thrown them all in the air to see how they would land and that was design number two! And etc and so on. This house aside, we looked at a great many during the six months because we had to broaden our search above and below budget trying to find something. There were massive termite problems, leaky roofs, asbestos galore, gazzumping at every turn, almost all but the most expensive properties suffered at least one substantial fail for the most basic of needs and to top it off the best home in our price range just happened to be built on flood prone land - approved by council who put the flood signs up less than five years earlier. We live and learn. Then there were the real estate agents, but that would take another two years and I doubt the internet has enough free page space available!!! OK, I hear you, they're not ALL bad...

Ok, don't like the dark cushion, don't like the TV in the bedroom. You could go for pendant lighting using the same 'material' as the mirror? If you went for larger beside lamps while you have that mirror there, they would be fighting each other. In the programs I watch, they say to have 'a hero in the room'. In this case the mirror is the hero I think. Also the extra throw cushion for the bed could match one on the chair, so it ties in (or don't have one at all on the bed). If you did need a TV what about having one installed on the wall to the right of the chair,(looking at the photo) and make sure it can swivel out, so when you aren't watching TV in bed it can be against the wall, out of the way. Then you can have a lovely (glass) ornament or two, or a bunch of flowers sitting on it along with your photos. I love how you have your bed dressed, spot on! (without the dark cushion) I absolutely adore the blue shades in the duvet cover and I would draw those out into the room. Love that you have opened up your windows in the lounge. Maybe a throw rug and some colourful (same colours as in the duvet cover on your bed) cushions on the lounge suite as nothing is really popping! There doesn't seem to be any colour except for the flowers and the photos. Colourful paintings on the wall would be lovely too. Maybe the potted plants could be in coloured (as in your duvet cover) pots instead of white. I know you weren't asking about the lounge and if you are happy with it, then that is all that matters. Well done.

@ Hilda Tinkle...LOVE your room...mostly love the rugs and, in my view, those artworks are as if they were purpose commissioned ! "The whole" I am sure reflects your personality! Its been very interesting watching it all grow. As for replacing the lamp stand, personally, I really like that stand both for the room proportions and... for that friendly, substantial chunky lamp. I feel...and that's "feel"....that I'd want to put some sort of novel,decorative, low, longer, narrow, open construct couchside table/magazine/book 'depository'/drink putter-on (phew) at the side of the couch ...a proportionate space away from the side of the couch...something that has room for the lamp at the end to sit exactly where it does now under the yellow painting....Or, keep the lamp stand where it is and add a little bit of decorative yet functional whimsy at the couchside. It would need to be the perfect thing...I see a little nest of small decorative tables in my mind's eye...just feel you need to relieve the substantial solid feel with something that looks light and.... airy?....hard to describe, just a mind image. How about one larger cushion among the array of small ones? I've not seen your room for a while. I love what you've done..dignified, furnished in quality items and more to the point..themed ! Imagining myself relaxing in that room along with a friend or two....find myself wanting something tall that draws focus, maybe that accentuates the purpose of the room or calls attention to the theme...just a thought. I spent my early childhood in the Pacific and was surrounded by artifacts and furnishings that had the same "feel" as your room. I am really impressed by your attention to detail and how you've managed to assemble it all so it appears purpose made to go together, Congrats on ...substance ! Where did it all start...I've forgotten....with the rugs?

I love the option to work in a private office while still feeling connected to the larger open plan space. And who doesn't want a huge blackboard to creatively brainstorm?