What an interesting question. When I first found Houzz it was predominantly US and I remember starting to notice some pics and thinking oh, that doesn't look like the US, it almost looks . . Australian? Ah, yes it is. The problem with this pic is I saw it recently so I'm not sure if I'm remembering something I read about it. Concentrating on the picture itself I'm thinking warm climate and sandstone....

Surprise! It's in Melbourne in the south-east suburb of Mount Eliza. View the full project here: http://www.houzz.com/projects/179078/mount-eliza-lifestyle-package

TT Architecture have a link here for Royalla House Royalla is on the border of ACT & NSW with a NSW postcode so my guess is... it's not in a capital city a all ???

I like Dohraime's idea. Ikea stolmen is a good solution, but is a bit bulky for a small space. You should post a photo with sizes to give us a better idea of the space, walls, ceiling and appliances you are contending with.