First thing I'd do is throw the grey carpet up onto the sofa. Meaning it's colour. Introduce a thick grey throw, loosely folded over one of the seats, up over the back then layer your cushions in front of that. Building up onto it will scatter your colour palette around and start bringing it all together. It will be softened. However keep your colours to a minimum, perhaps 2. This does not include tones of colour, as many as you like will add interest and sophistication. In a chocolate and grey interior, it could be luxe, but I am thinking shades of salmon and mustard up against creams and greys. You also need to link your walls to the sofas, as the floor area looks heavy in comparison. To correct it you either introduce the wall colour down onto the floor, or the floor colour up onto the wall, it will balance it out. I'd place large black frames with rich colours of chocolate with perhaps gold leaf or metallics. Keep it abstract to be modern, or even go the opposite with some classic charcoal pencil sketches in a pair of large frames. The images will start to personify your space, so choose the context of the image that you can continue a theme from, like architecture where you can place related objects on a side table, even coffee table, I love tables with reference books that on a Whim you can pick up for inspiration. It shows who you are and what you aspire to. Or it may be floral, landscapes, paintings whatever, find something that works. Don't necessarily go looking for art, you can make it, save an image online, print and frame to suit you and your budget. Even an a3 image can be framed in a larger frame to make a bold statement, just add a frame Matt that you get from a picture frame shop. Ikea also have ready made large frames too. For some reason emerald green keeps popping into my mind when I look at your room, maybe some plants, foliage can liven a space but also, slight little traces of it around can freshen a space. Maybe thin picture frames, or spines of books can bring this in.

Do you want to add some drama as in a sense of arrival. My first thoughts were to paint the handrail and that white post in black, either gloss or matt depending on decor choices. Then a black and white rug or runner, do you like cow hide or zebra patterns? Without knowing your decor style, the vintage cupboard could work with but I think it is too big for the space. So a low bench or console with mirror would be nice with a rug... your style preference will be the guide for all of these. Do you like a white theme on timber with wallpaper for background & black or white for furniture. Is wallpaper an option? Like this elegant contemporary theme. Storage under the stairs or even a mini office? There are so many inspirational photos on Houzz and I'm sure you will get many more ideas from other posters, good luck!

Hi Richard - the final kitchen layout looks amazing!! Congratulations. Any chance you could tell me what program you're using to design the kitchen / layout? I'm starting some minor renovation works on my house soon and would love to use something similar.

You are kind to say that, Julie. Hubby also washed and polished the floorboards in the two rooms we decided to retain. They look much better as well. This has been fun project; don't quite know what I'll do with myself after it's completed! :) although, in saying that, there is the garden here to keep us occupied...!