The rearrangement of the furniture works much better. Instead of one large artwork above the TV, how about two tall narrow ones, each side of the TV in the large void space of wall. Perhaps a couple of interesting mirrors - this would help to add light. Just be aware of what they reflect before hanging!! Agree with the suggestion of a tall lamp in the corner and love the idea of a rug under the coffee table. I'm not a huge fan of masses of cushions, they usually just get thrown on the floor! But I love throws, a light coloured, patterned or textured throw on the couch, (something with the mint green of the ottomans would pull the look together), this would add interest and soften the dark furniture. Happy decorating!!

Absolutely agree with blueskies60 ! Remove the artwork/bench/plant that's on the left and replace then with either a bookshelf or a tall chest of drawers. Perhaps the plant can be repositioned into the corner on the floor where this troublesome niche is (there seems to be more than enough light there for a plant) and just place something calm and simple in the niche itself - perhaps a Japanese style scroll or pen and ink art work set off with a more rounded object sitting in the left corner of the niche; a gorgeous rock, a lovely candle, a calming statue... If you have (my preference) a chest of timber drawers on the left where the current art work is, you'll break up the symmetry, have more storage and have another surface upon which you can place a changing display of objects. This is the area that I would utilise for a mirror.

HI Kath, Yes the larger lounge needs to be moved in front of the blind and .8M out from it. (you need .8-1.5 meters walkway space between any objects and any less looks cluttered) The 2 seater, needs to be moved 90 degrees to touch, almost, the 3 seater and facing the fireplace. Position or purchase a new square coffee table to fill the void this will create and a matching one in the large space facing the TV. Move the TV Cabinet, which absolutely is too large for the niche, to the large wall. Decorating is about matching shapes and proportions. Pop it all above a rug that sits under the entire lounge suite. You also need two artworks of the same size for either side of the fireplace. As a customised artwork specialist, I would suggest, contemporary styled collages in a your natural palette with accents of red and a green accent. Collages would add much needed texture to your space. Large frames are also required in a metal to match your fireplace. Keeping the colour palette simple, like I've done here, is the key.

Hi AndrewJason, I love cavity sliders. they are there when you want them but not visible when you need the space open. Having said that they cost more, take a bit of wreckage to set up and in you WA case you will be wrecking brick walls to put them in which might be a stretch of mess too far. BUT you will need to weigh up if they are worth it in the end. I do not think the build will be too bulky in the kitchen/dining because it will be superbly practical on both sides and it maybe just a matter of what you are used to. Not sure about "Average Joe...…" we are all good at somethings, mine is plans, function, practicality, solar. Yours might be brain surgery, empathy for unwell folks, kinda or you make the best seafood lasagne in the world... we are all needed to make for a great world: and it really is that!!! Good luck with your splendid home: I think it is beautiful. And PS if you do make the best seafood anything I better have your address....!!!!!!! MK