Thanks guys. Interersting fact about white ants Bigreader, think your right. The knots just look to distracting when I'm going lighter. + I'm not liking the faded / painted look they get. Going to bunnings now to get some brown stains to test.

I would go for the spotted gum option to create flow between indoor and outdoor, the social areas of the house. So when you have the doors open, there is a sense of continuity and the spaces feel generous. Monia

Thank you. The finishes meet in the doorway in the picture as well as at the top of the stairs which is where the Lifeproof is installed.

If you were selling , are you sure you will recoup the extra $$$$ ? Get it wrong , and a potential buyer will walk and/or offer $50k less , whereas if you leave it as it is , they will know it needs replacing , offer $10k less , but you have gotten an offer ! Just me , but what I would do is rip up the fake tile lino in the foyer ( I assume it is lino -- it doesn't look to be 'proper' tiled ? ) , and do that in a darkish timber laminate -- slightly lighter than the front door , slightly darker than the stairs . Or go really dark -- almost a dark weathered grey or a similar dark brown to the drawer unit in the lounge -- the rest of the colourings will lighten it a bit , but it will all tie in . OR actually tile it , maybe a black or charcoal gloss marble or marble effect with lighter streaks through it ? The house and colourings look an older style , this continues that theme , but I feel white or beige tiles would look too bland . $2k max instead of $10k -- marble tiles may be more than $2k , but up to you .