Rog - congratulations, I think you have done a fantastic job. To me you have achieved a great balance between modern and trendy - modern lasts, trendy not so much, I even find it boring after a while. This looks like a home that has been decorated by the owners' and to their tastes too, nothing looks staged. As for the mural - I'm just speechless, what a piece of brilliance. Having just spent the last 4 years renovating and creating my new home (although I still have loose ends to tie up) I can really appreciate how you must be feeling now, being able to sit back and totally enjoy all the hard work. I hope you have many, many happy years there.

Here are the samples, although the camera doesn't really show the colour in it's true form. First up, Ball & Twine. And this is Warm Bisque. It was nice, but too cool for me. And this is Sisal, the wrong colour I bought by accident. I love the colour though, just not here. I am a little concerned that the Ball & Twine was throwing some green (although I love green), but I really love it in the rest of the house. We have those late 1990’s terracotta coloured tiles in the back room to consider as well. that room will have a terracotta, stone, charcoal look, I think, when we are done. Anyway, comments on the samples?

I love the drama of the brick wall and it is a major design feature of the house... however, there is a LOT of exposed brick with the fireplace surround also being exposed and you have mentioned you dont like the colour. Have you thought about covering up the other walls rather than this one, to tone down the brick work? I just wonder if you hate the amount of brick and you are taking it out on this wall because that's where it is concentrated while overlooking the rest of the house? Just food for thought... more food for thought. BTW I love the idea of hanging plants (though watering them might be a pain), I love the idea of a dramatic feature pendant and I also love the idea of the rug, all will soften or harmonise the drama. www.billyhoostudio.com

Actually, your style isn't really very scandi in my opinion. It's industrial and rustic. I'd match recycled and chunky timbers with the concrete, a timber with rich reds. There is a company near me that makes plywood panels with recycled wood veneer attached. They're too far for you but might give you some ideas for a feature wall. I'd start with a few tins of paint and some colour actually. you'd be surprised what that can do! I'm fixing, well technically my second home but with our first we figured fairly quick it wasn't a forever home and didn't do anything personal with it. So this is our first "home" if not our first house. i getya! I know everyone seems to love white walls, but after years of bland rentals the first thing I wanted to do was paint colours all over the walls! Anything but white! Paint is cheap and a safe place to start testing your design flair. Go and paint a bunch of sample tins onto the walls and don't stress too much about the perfect look. start with what you like and find what suits that. A colour that makes you smile when you see it. I've paid about $10 a sample tin. like others said, don't do anything with the carpets yet, you can throw a rug over it if its too boring and it will look fine. There are so many things that I first thought I needed to completely change, then as I painted and freshened and tidied up I realised were not needed a huge reno. Our house was a bit of a wreck though, not a nice new apartment so things just literally needed cleaning and fixing. Put up some pictures, art, photos you like too. Honestly, I know everyone's being funny about getting a girlfriend and getting her to decorate, but actually I think it's great you've got your own taste and want to decorate. I think anyone you bring home would love seeing more of your personality around the place. Check out some garage sales and buyswap sell and auctions for rustic timber pieces for your home. Maybe a nice pipe and timber bookshelf in the lounge instead of an entertainment unit? https://www.northernriverstimber.com.au/