If you do choose to paint it make sure you sand well then use a stain blocker, followed by an undercoat then the top coats (best spray painted)......a bit of hard work and may not be successful. If all your other furniture is white then you can use this piece as a focal point and dress it up with a large white vase or white framed pictures of varying sizes, you can include a splash of colour with the white to lift the look. You could also buy a piece of white 4-6mm Perspex with beveled edge for the top leaving all other edges as is.

Not sure how it would go in Brisbane but what about trying a conifer? They grow fast and very tall. You can shape them or leave them natural. They are plain and certainly not tropical. Maybe speak to a local nursery and find out if they would grow in the sub-tropical climate of Brisbane first, as they are usually in colder climates (Sydney and south). Leightons Green Conifer – Leyland Cypress http://www.evergreengrowers.com.au/shop/hedging-screening/leightons-green-conifer-leyland-cypress/ Your quite limited if there's not enough sun and you dont use bamboo or tropical plants. Many other screening plants or hedges wont get tall enough for that space and climate. I hope you find something.

Jewel, you are looking for a design/build company where you make use of their in-house design team, and the whole job is project managed by the design/build company. Just be aware that many design/build companies charge a premium price for this convenience. Also be aware that you are not engaging the design component of the project seperately, so that if you love their design, but not their price, you are restricted from shopping their design around to other builders for a better price. You will need to read the fine print of any contracts carefully in respect to potential copyright infringement and their ownership of their design that is part of the design/build process. By seperating the design/documentation part from the build part, while less convenient, does allow you to go to as many builders as you want to obtain competitive quotes. If you decide to go with this traditional process, rather than a design/build company, be aware that not all building designers have the skill set for interior design when it comes to interior selections, and soft furnishings etc. Best of luck with your renovations, Dr Retro

The bottom pic is the actual staged room ? I absolutely love the floor -- such a warm rich colour ! Assuming your grey L couch is similar condition to that one , I'd follow most of their cues . I dislike units where a join can be seen though , and if you are wall mounting the TV , I reckon you are better to have just 1 of those units ( there looks to be 2 in the picture ) . The white vcertainly works and would be my choice , the timber ones look really smart ( especially the unnamed one with the $1549 pricetag ) but I'd be worried they won't stand out enough . Likewise , a really dark brown or black solid timber would work ( see the one under the B & W picture ) , BUT there are some really cheap and nasty dark veneer or vinyl units that look good for a month , and that has cheapened the genuine ones IMO . I like the mono tones they've used , BUT again in that staged room , I would have done a fluffy bright red rug instead of the pretty nothing one they went for -- black , white , your grey , and a red rug would add some real wow !