Thank you to all for the wonderful feedback. I didn't intend to paint the walls blue rather a taupe/brown - the De Sousa home is a great example. Since publishing the photo and the question - I have viewed many fabrics in many shades of blue and came to the conclusion blue is probably not the right choice. The photo looks beautiful but have moved to silver/grey with plum purple walls. But keeping the padded bedhead with demi lune side tables, an occasional chair in far corner and I already have the perfect bedside crystal tired lamp bases already. Again, could go very wrong with purple but I think I've found the perfect colour here in Australia. There are some stunning fabrics available in the silver/grey tone and I think it would well in the bedroom. The starting point funnily enough in moving to silver/grey was stumbling across the most gorgeous drape fabric. Then I built the rest from there. Now it's down to making final selections. A frustrating but fun process. Can't wait to see end result. Fingers crossed it all works out! Thank you once again - this site is amazing and your feedback is most helpful.

Bobbi, I take it you were painting the lower parts of your walls which I have trouble getting down to as I just can't kneel anymore. I use a low stool to sit on, which still hurts my knees getting up, but is the easiest option. When I have finished painting I have taken to lying flat out on my back on the bed for a good half hour and really stretch everything. That seems to help a lot and as it is around the 5pm slump time, it revitalises two ways. What sort of paint are you using? Normally any acrylic or water based paint washes out easily. Everyone knows when I have been painting, I went up the shop one time not knowing I had a huge blob of green paint right down the underside of my arm, clearly visible to anyone behind me. If shampoo isn't removing it, try rubbing straight conditioner into it and leave 10-15 mins. I find hand cream quickly removes it from my skin but I do have very streaky fingernails that nothing seems to be working on. Looks like the paint will have to grow out on them. If I know I am likely to get paint in my hair I also keep a supply of cheap shower caps for protection. Astraea - we are fine thanks, all the fires are in country areas, although some kids deliberately lit one in western Sydney this afternoon. The Metropolitan Firies have thermal imaging and they can spot a fire almost as soon as it starts which makes their response time much shorter. We also had a truck catch fire and set bush off beside a major freeway but the firies hit it all with foam and made short work of it. Still just over 34 here at 11pm - roll on 2am and the southerly!!!!!

Hi everyone, I'd like to thank you all for your input. Have been a busy spring and summer, but now I'm back and able to focus on the living room. Couple of things have been done/removed since lately: 1. Leather lounge set: I've (luckily) sold the leather lounge set - absolutely great piece with great quality, but not my taste at all. It made a world difference to the living room and even dear hubby, who liked the set, did acknowledge that the difference of less furnitures is great. 2. The rug 3. The white cabinet 4. New curtains with pelmet I love the pelmet although it's old style and yes, the curtains are too short! Will amend this at later stage :) These changes have made a huge impact on the room. Also, I'm also open to change the dining table with chairs for another nice option in an attempt to make this more interesting/cozy/inviting. So, these are the only things that I won't be able to change (we may (note on may) also move house by the end of this year/early next year) # Blinds # Colour of trims and built-in bookcase # Camel back sofa - I'm happy to reupholster it though and change the fabric. This will cost $2000 but I think it's worth it since they are really comfortable and are of good quality. I'd like to integrate the white frame with the gold poster in the design - an idea is to place 3x posters on the biggest wall of the air conditioner. I'm aware that a brown frame may suit the gold poster better, but I'm so tired of the colour brown at this moment. --------- So, I now feel I'm able to adjust as per your suggestions and recommendations much easier now. Appreciate every response and idea (And sorry for the mess of papers on the desk and floor! We're busy professionals and sometimes I have to let my husband have his creative space despite my OCD when it comes to decluttering and keeping it tidy)

The black & gold bedlinen doesn't work with the bluish based bedhead and carpet, however I think most of your elements are perfectly fine. It's also all looking a bit too dark for my liking. For about $50... A white bedspread will look fresh, even an inexpensive waffle style from Target/Kmart, a couple of lighter cushions will make a huge difference. And a nice plant in the corner, even from a hanging basket with a silver falls plant will add interest. https://www.target.com.au/p/waffle-quilt-cover-set-white/60111432?utm_term=60111432&utm_content=waffle-quilt-cover-set-white&utm_source=google&utm_medium=merchant-site&utm_campaign=merchant-site&gclid=Cj0KCQjw6J7YBRC4ARIsAJMXXsdtkyi1Ci6JTh0IjgG8v9Qy2hD6W0rX52bhb0qIYMgmIMhjj0t718UaArMbEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds&dclid=CK-u7LSaodsCFVCSvQodBwMC3Q $20-30 A couple of these cushions from Big W have a nice textural faux jute trim to add earthy tone. - $10 each A throw like this one in a light grey (tonal to your bedhead) Big W $10 If indoor plants are too challenging, then something like this $7 Then I think it's nice to add a couple of personal touches - an interesting coffee table book or new magazine on the bedside table, and - especially if it's relatives coming to stay, some nice framed photos on your walls of your family/children and relatives together. Big W $12, Kmart have plain ones for even cheaper