I followed dreamdoctor here from another post. I didn't grow up with Christmas, so the variety of these lights and their evolution is a total mystery to me, although they have always held a fascination for me. I have a set of white Christmas lights woumd around my wrought iron rail at the top of my split entry stairs that I put there at least a decade ago. So long ago I forget they are there and that anyone would judge their aesthetic value. They have become an essential to light my stairs at night as well as serve to give a bit of flavor to that part of the house in the night. I'll have to check out "modern versions!" BTW dream doctor I have been a vegetarian for a few years and still love the smell of bacon, as long as I don't think about it. Kind of like my recycled leather floors. My own hypocracy is a work in progress. ;-)

Wishbone style chairs look nice with that style table. http://allissiasatticdesign.com.au/products/rodin-cross-leg-dining-table These resin chairs are stackable. Lots of different designs out there in resin chairs. http://www.zizo.com.au/Capri-Arm-Chair-WARW1025.html http://www.zizo.com.au/Ibiza-Arm-Chair-WARW1026.html

re the floor, what about garage matting tiles, as in photo attached, but lay them in a groovier pattern, perhaps a chevron or 60's pattern, if leaning towards MCM. It may not be any dearer than the cost after getting a tiler in, if laying tiles? Also, you can take them out to clean them if need to and change the look whenever you feel the need!

Face it - gravity sucks. Your house was designed to be supported by the "poles" or are they stumps? You will need to carefully assess the value in removing them all. First you will need to engage a structural engineer to advise you, and he may suggest long steel beams that run across from one side of the house to the opposite side allowing the supports to be removed. However the financial cost in installing these long beams (and additional structure to support the beam ends) will be significant - there is no cheap fix. Once you have paid tens of thousands of dollars (maybe more depending on the length of the spans and ease of access under your house for installing them) you will have a large, open, low-ceilinged space with the proportions and feel of a shopping centre carpark. The structural engineer will need deep steel beams depending on the span between the walls, and this will reduce the clearance under the beams to much less than your current 2.1 metres. Save your money and engage a clever designer to find a clever solution that works with keeping the supports, and you will get much better value for your spend. Best of luck with your considerations, Dr Retro of Dr Retro House Calls