My only advice, pay a trade to paint it! I rather like the pic from Brandi, but I was tasked with stripping years of paint off a genuine Georgian staircase..never again!

For me, it would be colour. Maybe a feature wall for walls around dining, or living, pick colour from your favoured painting, and use same and other colours from pictures for cushions or even some occasional furniture in the brightest colour - I saw this done beautifully in a tarted up house for display - a small seat/coffee table painted and upholstered in an orange mix, which was taken from the splashback (everything else was neutral) and also in a throw for lounge.

I'd echo most others views -- personally , I could live with the aircon and the lights , but the furniture and the mirrors would go ! Again , just personally , I don't have a problem with the mirrors sizes , it's the silver that doesn't suit . I'd go approx 20% smaller mirrors , BUT with really nice wide sculpted dark wooden frames , and lift them a bit -- they almost look like they are sitting on the mantlepieces at present -- lifting them would show more balance IMO . Lounge suite I'd go big , boxy , good quality bright red leather . A modern corner suite would probably suit , or one with a moden interpretation of a chaise , but in big boxy red leather . Or maybe a more classic looking buttoned leather suite , just not in brown -- that would be too much brown . Red or white would work well . The dining suite could be a large 8 seater wooden table in darker brown ( that mahogony one clashes to me ) , or glass top and stainless if you want to be more modern , and modern red chairs -- several styles would work , depending on what table you choose , and how modern you want to be . And for a more modern twist on the windows -- wooden slat blinds -- I have done very similar in my own 95 year old place , and it works well ! My place is similar , although it doesn't have those higher picture rails -- my place has carved rails approx 1.2mtr above the floor level , and Rimu panelling ( a NZ wood ) below that -- has that 'gentlemans club' feel . I did the walls above that in a mid steel blue in some rooms , a grape colour in others , english cream in a couple , and an earthy orangey-brown with white gloss tiles in the kitchen ! And in most rooms , I did a feature wall , wallpapered in complimentary colours to the other 3 walls in that room ! Strange sounding I know , but it works ! In the larger rooms and entrance foyer , I have large gold waterfall chandaliers , the other rooms I have gold curved light bars with 4 to 6 led spotlights -- all with crisp white ceilings similar to yours , and art deco inspired ceiling roses and architraves . I love the mix of classic and modern , with a twist of class

Hi Anne, Your home is beautiful with so much potential. There have been some clever ideas presented but I think its important to have an overall plan that you're working towards. This way you avoid needing to re-do certain areas. With the overall plan you would decide which materials you like and what needs to change and then you can stick to that plan as you roll out the changes. For instance, I think the brick on fireplace wall is a lovely feature of the home but the brick in the kitchen area is competing with it. With the timber panelling, it was certainly a feature of the home originally but these days we tend to paint out the panelling to make spaces feel lighter and more open. We often use Dulux China White when working with robust materials like brick and timber as it has a warm stone like tone. In one of the pictures, I can see that there is a full feature brick wall in another room which should creates a lovely flow and consistency. This is a home in Fairhaven Victoria that looked just like yours (but without the brick) and was painted in the China White. Cheers, Vikki. Your bathroom will also looks great with a touch of paint and a new vanity.