I see this is a very old thread , with lots of comments . I've just skim read them , but I haven't seen anyone suggest anything like my 'top-of-my-head' idea -- I love the wood , and the white contrast , but pretty boring . Whats your favourite colour , or what ties in with the other rooms ? It might be blue or red or yellow or orange or green , as examples . So paint the skirting board and around the door a pastel shade of your choice , and add a small 30cm x 30cm abstract painting featuring that colour as the primary dominant one , above ( or possibly below , or maybe even get 2 matching/complementary ones ) the control panel . One lighting crowd suggested glass shades -- I'd actually go for someothing large but wooden , in much the same shade as your floors and steps , with LED bulbs -- you can get some stunning ones around 80-100 cm in diameter ( sort of a star ball shape ) for $300-400 . Total budget then $500 plus a painter and maybe electrician , unless you DIY .

@ Henrietta Scholtz!!!! And your BOAT. Amid the banter that often erupts on these forums for reasons that are never really clear to me...(and in which I enjoy particepating just for the fun of it), I've been wondering what if an colour scheme you have decided on for the decor of your boat! Any ideas from among those we suggested? Somehow your poll got hijacked with the non- boat decorating banter but I've had your boat in mind most of the time...wishing that I could be maybe a little hook or a rope so I could come on your adventures undetected and enjoy the decor with which you have embellished your seafaring craft and home. I'd not considered it at all because it was a bit "off the wall"...but...that PINK that came up for discussion on another subject led me to consider a colour scheme of Mustard, Beige, and Mint...with little splashes of an unexpected colour...like that Lipstick Pink...or maybe other groups of colours that are 'accepting' of each other but with a little "wild" splash of the unexpected...a bit like when the sunlight reflects through a splash of water ahd just for an instant you see something brilliant and magical. I've even got my palette and paints out intrigued by the "splash colour" that should not fit with traditional combinations but somehow does.....just a thought. It would be lovely to see any ideas you liked put into practise according to your individual interpretation. I am sure I echo the sentiments of other artistic contributors to your project - Will you tell us and maybe send Pics of any developments? Anyone else who has the good fortune to have a boat would also be welcome here, I am sure, to put forward any creative ideas. How about it Henrietta?

Hi quokkaz,,, how the devil are you,, no not done anything to the bridge yet, we have had some major rain over the winter and large amounts of water have washed away one of my waterfall as well as damaging a second just under the bridge, so I need to repair these before I finish the bridge, we had some good weather last week so got around the garden and mowed the grass for the first time, now its turned very cold with a north wind with snow forecast in places, so will look at the waterfalls and bridge when i have tidied up the garden after winter

By the look of your reception area I think you like industrial look, it's very much in fashion and easy to achieve. Paint walls white and add A bit of wrought iron and timber in the decorations . Here are some chairs to consider you can find them relatively cheap in replica furniture shops. For the floors I would go floating laminate floors but you have to be careful what colour you get , it needs to look pale like weathered timber or opposite really dark, no orangey looking timber. You can use large clocks and old mirrors for decor as well. For the bathroom go plain B&W with new shower screen. If you change the design a bit you might need only one piece of glass and no door on the shower , it would save a bit of money. Your mental above the fire place is looking a bit busy remove small objects and have a vase with fresh flowers instead, or couple smaller pots with flowering plants in it like Orchids etc.