@ EMILY! Thanks so much for showing us all that you've accomplished...what a big...ongoing job and its not cheap undertaking something like that. Thanks for the tip about the star jasmine...I have a beautiful planting of that.....or rather 'had'...I got a chap in to trim it for me who advertised himself as experienced....Oh Dear! He killed most of the vine by cutting it at ground level! Now its a brown horrible mess up a tall trellis and no privacy. I'm devastated. To make it worse the neighbour sits out on her back deck and calls out to me when I'm out there when before she couldn't see me.....I'm putting up atemporary reed screen...I think....would rather my star jasmine with the blackbirds nesting in it....I know the feeling of not jumping in in case one makes a regrettable mistake. I also had gardenias but once they get sick its not worth all the trouble. I've had to learn heaps about what plants are appropriate for my place and I've made some really silly mistakes too. I've never seen those cut laser panels before and am a bit intrigued. What are they used for,,outdoor lighting? That colourbond fence works really well as a privacy screen! You've done so much and have invested not only your hard-earned money but also your ideas! Hope you have some lovely times in your space.

My thoughts are: Paint the stair in a Matt Black (As per Tilly above), Definitely look to remove the carpet from the steps. The carpet spoils these beautiful treads. Is this brickwork all through the house? If so, then probably quite an expensive exercise to paint. If there is only a small amount of brickwork, then to paint it would radically change the appearance of the space. Perhaps also a grey toned carpet would work well.

As for your other question about hydronic heating. Firstly, are you considering hydronic panels (radiators) or hydronic underfloor heating? Each has their advantages & disadvantages. But be aware that the water temperature for panels must be significantly higher than required for underfloor hydronics. I'm assuming by "solar" you are talking about solar thermal (evacuated tubes or panels), & not solar PV (electric) panels. In any case, solar thermal is not really advisable for hydronic heating, for a few reasons. Firstly, hydronic heating (like any space heating) requires a lot of heat. A normal sized solar thermal system (of 30 evac tubes) may (or may not) be enough to heat you're domestic water in winter. But it will not be enough to heat a hydronic system. Not even close! A solar thermal system this size will need boosting to a very, very high level. Even a very large solar thermal system with over a hundred tubes will most likely require boosting. Secondly, hydronics operate in winter, when your solar thermal is performing at its worst. If you put in a very large solar thermal system (sized to operate hydronics in winter) what do you do with the vast quantity of hot water produced in summer? Waste it no doubt. Finally, solar thermal is expensive to buy! Installing a system sized for hydronics would be stupid expensive!! Even for a system sized for just heating domestic water (30 evac tubes/300l tank), the current thought is it's not worth the investment, & you can get much better returns on heating your water with solar PV panels. Solar PV is only getting cheaper & cheaper, & once your water is heated the electricity produced can be used for other purposes, or exported to the grid. For houses without good solar access a heat pump domestic hot water system can be a good idea. So for hydronics, as solar thermal isn't worth the investment, what are your options to heat your hydronics? Gas boiler. Expensive to run, bad for the environment, but cheaper to install than a heat pump. A heat pump. A more expensive to install, much better for the environment, much cheaper to run. Particularly if coupled with a large PV system (even better if a large buffer tank is also used). A "wetback" water jacket wood fire system. Appropriate away from suburbia, though a lot of work (or cost) to keep it fuelled. Personally, if I was going to all the effort & expense of installing a hydronic system I'd like to think I'd take the green option, & heat it with a heat pump. It would cost though!

Hi Z Cee A lovely headboard choice!! As mentioned in comments above, the headboard is the star of the show in this room but the choice of bedsides need to compliment it. I would look for something that echos the headboard with some texture, or patina but nothing too dark or heavy. Something in antique brass would look great and give a lift against the timber. Sidetables and stools make good options for bedsides if you dont need the storage. A couple of ideas below. Best wishes