And to you, and to Chook too, of course. Sydney just has the best fireworks, doesn't it? Though I'm glad that Mr Dog and I don't live there. It'll be rough enough here. Row, I think you've done a great job. Yes, the roller blind may no longer live in that room. Thanks for sharing the other pics -- see, you were dreaming of pattern on walls before I came along.

Ok, well apologies in advance, but pics are making the walls look more washed out then they are, and I possibly could have gone one more shade darker in Sherwin Williams...but furniture is dark, and I did not want it to look oppressive.(ignore my recliner, please, LOL--and my couch is not raspberry colored, but deep wine...ugh, limitations of cheap camera). Anyway, I have several Karastan carpets, same pattern, but despite them having every color imaginable, only certain wall colors work with them. I opted for SW "bagel" in LR and "Earl Grey" in DR.--basically going with a complimentary color scheme (orang-ish and blue-ish). Again the DR looks darker in person. The only thing that bugs me is the whiteness of ceiling...but I was not brave enough to do the color on ceiling trend. Beryl, I doubt that this is very much help, but glad to share pics. Incidentally, I have several decorating books from the 80's. I find them much more fun than modern ones in that things like your hall tree, especially since it is a nice piece, could be incorporated in your intimate space by hanging fun collections from it (like funky old hats) or ornate walking sticks in the umbrella holders, etc. I just cannot seem to banish clutter, so I embrace it. ;-)

Ok, clearly you want to get a big change, but don't have the budget for it just yet. So you need wallet friendly options. My suggestion would be to whitewash ALL the brick walls. It literally is the fastest thing you will ever do and is ridiculously cheap as you water down the paint. If you try painting the brick instead of whitewashing, it may look whiter, but bricks soak up so much paint and it could cost you a small fortune. So I'd whitewash until youve saved enough money to do what you'd like in the long run. Once you've whitewashed, then also assess if you want to paint wood trims in white, but you probably will as it will still contrast nicely with the not so white of the white washed brick. Possibly don't paint the actual ceiling beams Other cheap suggestions with big impact I'd possibly do would be to choose one solid unbroken wall in every room (like the long wall on the left side of the pic running from the living into the dining) and simply stick up connecting wood panels you can buy from Bunnings, then I'd paint them a white along with the pine panels in the ceiling so it all matches. This helps to break up the feeling of soooooo much brick in every room and fits in with the other theme of all the wood. Possibly also make a feature of the fireplace by black washing it? Same idea as white washing, just use black paint instead. Or you could just paint it as its only one small area. Would really make it pop and break up all the white. You could possibly also team this with staining the ceiling beams in an almost black, would make all the beautiful features in the room stand out! What ever you decide, good luck and have fun!

haha!!!! Siri - you can have your Eiffel tower angel... give me the beach any day :) Nic - perhaps some driftwood, shells and a jar of sand might help bring the beach to you - just don't knock your sand flying or you'll literally be able to crank up your fireplace and lie down on your sand to sunbake lol.