I would pop a buffet along the window by the front door & then a rectangle dining table in front of that. There are a few layouts you could do tv/ lounge wise but in the interest of entertaining & also watching tv whilst preparing meals.... I would put the tv on the wall opposite the built in cupboards - not right where the aerial point is though, closer along the wall towards the bedroom door. Then I'd have an L shape configuration of lounges (either a corner lounge or two lounges) with the back of one along the side wall (the wall you look at as you come in the front door), & the other with its back to the built in cupboards (obviously with enough room to open the doors behind it still. Then define the area with a rug etc

Hi Kathy, so thrilled to hear my comments got you started thinking of the big picture, it has been a pleasure working with this. When you are starting totally from scratch like this it is easy to become too close to the issues and the brain becomes overloaded so you can't see the woods for the trees. I think this is also a classic example of why I always tell people to live in a house for a year before beginning to decorate, as hard as it is to be patient and wait, you do need to get the feel for a house and relate your lifestyle to it. I do like your idea of splitting the room into two areas, the room looks big enough to give you this option, and to me intimate spaces within a room create a more welcoming and homely feel. When you have a good idea of the furniture you would like, put what you have in the room and measure anything else before you buy it, use newspaper or cardboard boxes the size of the pieces and put them around the room to ensure you are going to get the desired result. It can be so easy to over or under estimate just how much space furniture will take up. Sorry the green lounge in the study didn't work out, but glad this has helped you see options. Just my personal opinion, one of my joeys had a lovely old grandfather clock in her lounge room and while it was a beautiful piece of furniture to look at, I just found it a little on the intrusive side - with its constant chiming it just didn't make the room feel relaxing, one was just so aware of the passing of time. Of course this can be advantageous when certain rellies visit. She ended up moving hers to her entrance foyer where it was a stand out feature and the lounge room became so much more relaxing. Love to see some photos of your landscaping.

Hello Karly, It looks like you may be planning a change in wall colour - I would go ahead and do this then think about the curtains. You may be able to have a bolder colour which helps have a dramatic feel or go lighter - Resene have a good range of whites which can be done in double or triple strength. Check out his link as it gives you a range of looks using neutrals.http://www.resene.co.nz/ebooks/HabitatPlus06/index.html?page=1 The latest Resene habitat on line home of the week shows some interesting options if you are interested in blue / green/ grey hues such as 'Inside Back' http// habitatbyresene.co.nz/lee-kristin-modern-barn-life Curtains should hang full height and puddle a little on the floor but not too long as you have an access way with the door and need to safely walk past the other window. Pelmets are unnecessary and won't give the softness required but an inverted pleat heading gives a tailored finish with the same effect. Look at a natural linen look sheers as real linen tends to rot and is more expensive. You are better with a cheaper polyester linen look as it is more durable - and less likely to shrink if washed. Traditional curtains are more likely to date depending on the pattern. All the best.

You could buy a lovely bedroom comfy chair with a little side table for a reading nook if you just feel like relaxing with good light, I liked kiwimills suggestion of a day bed with storage, or you could make storage, cupboard for shoes built in if you wanted then add plants or nick nacks on the top of the cupboard for texture and designer look, if you are like me, you never have enough room for shoes!!