I see this is a very old thread , with lots of comments . I've just skim read them , but I haven't seen anyone suggest anything like my 'top-of-my-head' idea -- I love the wood , and the white contrast , but pretty boring . Whats your favourite colour , or what ties in with the other rooms ? It might be blue or red or yellow or orange or green , as examples . So paint the skirting board and around the door a pastel shade of your choice , and add a small 30cm x 30cm abstract painting featuring that colour as the primary dominant one , above ( or possibly below , or maybe even get 2 matching/complementary ones ) the control panel . One lighting crowd suggested glass shades -- I'd actually go for someothing large but wooden , in much the same shade as your floors and steps , with LED bulbs -- you can get some stunning ones around 80-100 cm in diameter ( sort of a star ball shape ) for $300-400 . Total budget then $500 plus a painter and maybe electrician , unless you DIY .

You must have quite a wide frontage to build this design so I would suggest the facades and garage door to have a striking contemporary colour to really stand out. I don't think it would look too busy at all because of the wide frontage you must have on your block of land. My only suggestion would be to work with your architect to change the facades a little more to differentiate the two. In my experience, the value of duplexes where the facades are differentiated to make it looks more like two homes increases. Also out of curiosity how many bedrooms has the architect included in the design?

The vertical blinds MUST go. Sorry, but they are hideous and add nothing. Get some fabulous mid century fabric pattern in some gorgeous colours and make curtains. You can make a couple of scatter cushions also out of this fabric. Then pick out your favourite colour from the fabric to add some plain cushions. If you have gone with the patterned rug option such as asquithoatley has suggested, then just pick out the gentler colour for plain curtains to compliment the rug. Either way then choose cushions using any, or all of these colours. Then you should look for some decorative items in these colours such as beautiful bottles that might pick up an aqua, or some lamps with bases that colour to put on a side board. For the wall I suggest that you look on ebay in mid century modern and see if any wall sculptures attract you. There was quite a fad for enamelled metal wall sculptures back in the 60s which would add some life. Try to find one that also incorporates one of the pattern colours. Susan_66 made a great suggestion with a Howard Arkley print of a mid century house. You might even find one that is similar to your house style which would be fun. Happy hunting. You have some good pieces and they will work well with a bit of fun fabric or rug to link them.

Thanks to oklouise, big reader and kate for your quick response. Sorry oklouise I used measurements from the central heating person. New measurements are Dinning L2.97x w4.13, Kitchen L3.21x4.01, Meals L4.75 x 3.5, circulation space (Entrance stair) L3.1 x 2.05, Living L 6.58 x 3.7. I’m unsure how to use the lounge and Circulation space (entry from stairs). I’ve taken the picture of the existing lounge and circulation space. I thought I was asking too many questions and as people are very generous with their time and responses. Do you have suggestions for lounge and circulation space? With new plans I feel circulation space will be wasted or not used. Proposed pantry on the overall plan is not to scale. After researching plans in the Houzz I liked your (oklouise ) clever design for your pantry. Your pantry L1.6 x 1.4 but I had room for more so extended length 3.7 this figures can adjusted. On the kitchen plans above the sink number (20)is a window which is 1.80 x .96. bigreader we have no cladding or infill. Thanks for the suggestion of painting the classing/ bricks. The window we are going to remove in Meals is 1.80 x 1.48. I have taken a picture of the outside wall where the window is going to be removed (upper left). Thanks kate for for your suggestion for pantry and island. The pantry may block the entrance of the stairs. I like the idea of a splash back window but I feel this might blow the budget. Please see photo external widow being remove (upper left). I am getting very familiar with my tape measure and it’s become my second best friend after my husband. I have damaged one tape measure by walking on it. Thanks again for your ideas and time.