So many good suggestions and ideas, thank you everybody :) partim I actually had the lounge room exactly how you described to begin with, I know it's hard to visualize through just seeing the photos I've put up but it didn't work as the couch coffee table and tv unit were jammed in together leaving little walk through space and there was a lot of unusable wasted space in the corner where the tv is. I contemplated getting a corner lamp table at the time but what we really need is more sitting space than table space. I changed the room around to this and we liked it much better as the window wasn't obstructed as well. the walking space between couch and cone lamp hasn't been a problem. The absolute last thing after rugs etc will be to move the bigger bookcase that's next to wood heater to another room and put an armchair there :) that will require renovation of the other rooms first. our records are all in alphabetical order and I love them but wouldn't display them any more than I have already as it's not a huge focal point. decoenthusiaste I love the idea of putting the small bookcase on its side behind the couch and could do this if I put a finish on the top and the base! unfortunately it will no longer be able to hold the records if I do that as the shelves are an awkward shape. (Smaller shelf is better for holding records to keep them in separate categories and keep them standing up than the bigger shelf) redpoint, I know! I've always been a timber floor person. When we moved in I was set on putting wood floors down in future. Although these tiles lack character, since living with them I must say the practicality of them outweighs the aesthetics of wood. I can move furniture around without scratching the floor and know I'll never have to ever sand and re polish the floor from wear and tear and they feel cool to walk on in the hot, dry summer. I'm leaning towards getting a sandy coloured slate put down one day. That should add more character to the place :) and my future tribal rugs will work either way. The view is fine, it's just a neat suburban street. I feel too exposed for now with the curtains open and would like a privacy screen put up with a nice garden bed as a view when we get around to re paving and landscaping. It's a southern view so the winter sun now shines through our front windows, which gets a bit bright at times. The brown rug was given to us as a stop gap for absorbing sound and catching the walked in dirt. If I moved it in front of the couch the "brownness" of it would hurt my eyes while I'm trying to relax in my little living space hehe I would consider cutting up the wall hanging or doing something else with it yes, good idea :) Zag Built LLC, I like the idea of a round or oval coffee table! Thos. Baker, a new piece of art would be nice

Hi buchlo, if you use a chalk paint you don't need to prime etc. I recently used Annie Sloan chalk paint with Annie Sloan wax finish to paint a dark wood TV unit. It looks amazing. It lightened up our room, I put new handles on which I involved filling the old holes up. The chalk paint covers everything. It is expensive but great finish. The wax easy to apply and drys hard. I love it. There are only a few outlets in Australia, I am in rural WA and buy on line from a shop in Carine in Perth. Postage is reasonable considering it is paint. I am about to start some new projects using it. Lots on you tube on how to use the chalk paint. The colour range is just lovely. If you want a white finish go antique white as has better coverage than pure white. Don't forget to post before and after pics no matter what you do. Ps I paint everything, but look up 'how and what' to use so you get the finish you want and you only have to do it once

Hi Teresa, since you've only just moved in and are not sure, I would suggest wait and live with it until you have a clear directon on how the overall space functions, what your storage pressures are and what your over all style is likely to be. Putting time into a piece that you might remove would be frustrating. Removing a piece now that is functional and fitted is hasty. Budget how much you have to spend on the room and what the room needs. New cabinetry such as this replacement value is quite a few thousand dollars so consider the direction of the room first style wise, then imagine how that piece could be re-born. Once you've done that, if it ruins the flow remove it. The aesthetics can be enhance with a colur change in paint or lime wash but I think it will always be best in the look tha tit is sine the fireplace is built in but loving it with some restorative finish whether it's wax or varnish would give it a lift. It looks like it still works well and the fact that it has the cornice fitted at least has had some thought put into it. Good Luck

Rebecca - try oiling the timber and see if this brings it up. Rub it in with some steel wool and it can do wonders to bring life into the timber again and it is quite quick to do. The worry with painting is once that is done, you can't go back. I'm assuming you live in an area of similar homes so for selling purposes, I would check out all homes currently on the market in your immediate area, go to open house days, see how they have been renovated and gauge potential buyer's response to them, ask questions as to just what they are looking for in a home. Agents will help you with this too. I spent a year doing this before I sold my home and learned a lot from it. There are just as many people out there who want to put their own stamp on a home as there are those with no vision who just want everything pretty. Your front door, while it doesn't allow much light, could well be a significant heritage piece for the home so a solar tube or 2 could be the answer to bringing light into the space. Colourful artwork on the walls will then help detract from all the panelling too. Good luck with it all.