Hello Monique E, You can decorate your living or dinning room area by the use of beautiful Wall Arts, Paintings, Wall Murals, Cushions etc. If you are interested in several Wall Posters, Wall Arts, Paintings & wall decorative products. Then you can take a look at :- Beautiful Wall decor accessories online at The Bowery Also, You can decorate your sofa by using Cushions. Take a look at these beautiful Cushions online :- Cushions online store at The Bowery Home Decor Have a great day! Cheers!! The Bowery Home Decor Australia

I agree with Brandi Nashi Hicks on timber and colours - think about providing colour with things that are simple to change like cushions, artwork, rugs and other accessories while keeping the basics of your home neutral - this way you can quickly, cheaply and easily change the look of your home as new trends or your tastes change. Don't worry too much about storage for when children come - the way you actually live in an apartment can vary drastically from how you think you'll live in it so put in what you need now, and then adapt your apartment to your family. Babies and small children don't need a lot of stuff - especially if you share cots, prams, clothing with friends and family so that you've got only what you need at that particular time - this works until they're at least school aged and provides a win/win solution to you and friends on storage and cost of little ones. Your future home looks as though it'll be a beautiful happy place to be a family and I hope you'll be very happy in it.

Hi Caroline, i know what you mean, I'm not a fan of white tiles either because I have young kids but sometimes a room needs them to add light, the following photos all have a wood look feature tile but they all have white/cream somewhere. If you could imagine all of the floor and walls in your dark tile and then a lovely bright white background on just one wall and your wood look vanity I really think it would be fabulous! I think subway tiles may be too busy. A simple white tile would bring so much light into the room! you can add pendants , towels, decor to bring in more colour. Often when looking at tiles In showrooms they look like they will all go, but try and find a photo of the tile you've chosen laid as a whole wall, it often looks much different. I think you should go with what you love though!

Hi Mel, Kitchens are an integral part of any home and particularly a busy family, so much to consider. I personally think an Island clear of any sinks or utilities makes for a more workable space. It lends itself to food prep, kids homework, meals, guests perched on a bench whilst you prep. Sinks always accumulate mess so I think a sink put to the side works better. Gone are the days where you will stand at a sink hours at a time. Think about how you like to cook and use a kitchen a cooktop not far from the sink works best think straining pasta pots, vegies etc.. As for butler's pantry's I'm not a fan, why spend money on a lovely kitchen only to be cooped up in a small kitchen off to the side, very unsociable. Houses are made to be lived in and sometimes that comes with a little mess particularly in the kitchen. Don't hide away in a butlers pantry embrace your home and kitchen and all that it entails. I recently completed a kitchen with a similar colour scheme to what you are suggesting black, white and timber, I anchored the kitchen with the black Island and used white cabinets for the rest of the kitchen. Matt surfaces are on trend at the moment as opposed to gloss or semi gloss, matt finishes hide finger prints and children's hand marks better, dust will show up on darker surfaces so be mindful of this. I adore natural materials and feel that a timber floor really adds warmth. Take a look at the kitchen I recently designed for my clients, would love to hear your thoughts. Happy to assist you any way - Good luck with your renos. Thanks Collaborative Interiors