Thanks for the great thoughts asquithoatley and Damien. I especially like the suggestions that I add a bit of colour and texture with cushions and lamps. I really favour a natural and organic palette, but having largely achieved that, the room just didn't seem to 'pop' in quite the way I'd hoped. Asquithoatley - are you able to give me a source for the red lamp? I really like it. It is funny you mention knitted pillows, as I just took up knitting for the first time in years and I did some for upstairs. They look really good. Maybe I'll get the knitting needles out again! And I'll start looking around at coffee tables. I think you are right. Thanks again to both of you. Isn't this site fantastic?

I like the grey best for reasons stated above. The 'busy' look may also be a huge benefit in that it won't highlight every speck of lint or footprint etc. as much as a more solid coloured tile.

Here's the original discussion ([https://www.houzz.com.au/discussions/help-with-stairs-dsvw-vd~5209387[(https://www.houzz.com.au/discussions/help-with-stairs-dsvw-vd~5209387)) for context.

Look, you've got very modern tastes and its all lovely. I don't mind the placement of it all actually. But the downside to the modern monochromatic look is it can look stark and not cosy and warming. Especially, as most of the magazine styled homes that have this style are really high end custom builds, there is a lot of invisible finesse in those spaces that comes down to architectural design, light, shape etc... they also tend to not have stuff and families etc... check out the hygge trend and see what elements from that could bring some warmth and cosiness. everything you already have is lovely! maybe some splashes of taupe and clay and dusty rose? A few chunky throw blankets over the couch? A nice feeling rug under feet. I'm not feeling the zebra art, but you must have liked it to buy it right? you need a bit more personal touches incidental splashes of colour and texture and pattern to bring it together. test it out, kids stuff is a great source of colour, if you grab some random colourful things and arrange them onto those shelves and stand back does it look more inviting? Baskets of toys? a pot plant?