Did you decide to buy the house? People I know with big boulders in the yard have done some excellent gardening around it and it's a definite feature, but not ideal if you have kids or kids visiting and it's big enough for them to fall off it. Sounds like a great challenge for a landscaper Are you considering this option or are you happy to take it on yourself?

Congratulations Aaron on finding your "Forever home" & wanting to preserve it's 70's vibe. It does look like a big project to get your teeth into! I would think the black to be a bit strong & tend towards a warmer tone with the brick. Sandstone is also a light stone with yellows, apricots & warm tones. Woodland Grey from the Colorbond range has olive/brown tones which might suit. It depends on the vision you are trying to achieve but it looks like a natural modern style would suit the theme of the house. By that I mean taking cues from nature for colours. Good luck!

Wendy I empathise with you, we had so much antique and large furniture when we moved into our much smaller home, it was stuff I never thought I could part with, but it didn't all fit and it didn't all go. We got rid of a few things, then a few more then it became easier and it nearly all went. I have kept a few special pieces and some I have given away, some my children wanted (not much - they just don't want our style) some I was able to sell. I got better at selling. On gumtree up grade your add to $20 top add, got 100% hit with that. Also Facebook antique buy and sell was a great place to sell antique and vintage furniture. I do not miss those items now that I thought I couldn't part with. Our house is less cluttered and I have purchased new smaller scaled furniture for our smaller home, it has been very invigorating and I am loving it. Not finished yet moved August 2013. I painted our former dining table and changed chairs to give a more modern look, very pleased with look. I don't think I would paint the table in your picture but may update chairs for a modern home. Don't let furniture hold you back, it is only furniture it can become a millstone when trying to move on.

Thankyou so much Charissa I do really like option one. Is it ok if the tv is partially in front of a sliding door if we put it flat against the far left wall. I really like the artwork colours in our first pictures I am not really into tropical so if you have any alternative decor suggestions would be much appreciated. Love your ideas