Yay, so after 30 years my house is back in fashion again!!! I don't like panelling everywhere, but I really don't see anything wrong with some as a feature, and the best part is that it handles knocks, is easy to keep clean and NEVER needs painting. Why does "practical" have to be trendy??

Hi p-curtin, I just discovered that if you open any Houzz photo & then click on the Dulux 'show room colours' link...when the colours come up you can select them & move them to where you want & the colour shown will change. You can experiment in the room & then save the palette to your idea book by clicking the + button under the Dulux swatches. Then exit button top right of photo to move on...

I agree it's a fantastic house I have a similar one with updated kitchen etc, Removing any swags and the painting done this is a more updated look. I'ts a shame that it's empty, how much would it cost to get someone to style a couple of rooms, kitchen dining lounge and take a few great photos for the purpose of selling, you could enlarge and frame some to hang on the wall so that you wouldn't have need to keep hiring furniture. Kitchen table chairs and a large choir rug, lounge with coffee table and a couple of lamps, no clutter would really help. Where do you live we could all come by and help!

Investigate a white wash which will make it lighter but still give you the movement of the woodgrain that you will see. You could leave the fireplace feature wall natural but if so, I would darken the fireplace surround so it doesn't "pop" so much. Perhaps a taupe/greige colour. Yes, curtains need to go as high as possible. This will lift the room and give it height. Looks like thought needs to be made for a better lighting plan as I see you have quite a few lamps about. Lamps are still great.. permanent ceiling/wall lighting could be improved. Other alternative is to paint everything a touch of soft white like Resene Merino. Also look at Resene Black White (coverage may be better). Both ceilings and walls. A dark ceiling feels lower than a white one.