hi Neryl and others, I love fire pits and we have a special area in the yard with stone seating around it. we love it and it is great for the kids and when they have friends over. we often burn these funny hexagonal 'logs' which are made from recycled something (I cant remember whether its paper or woodchips). we got them from Bunnings but I can't find them on bunnings website right now. they are called ecologs or something like that. they are slow burning and good. we have the chappala sun god fire pit from bunnings and it has been good. the metal parts do rust tho. the good thing about it is the screen lid which I feel is a bit safer. but the lid does get hot so you need an oven mitt or similar to lift it to roast marshmallows or add more wood or anything. downside is it has no drainage hole so fills with rainwater. good luck

siriuskey- it's a shame more people aren't watching the reno TV shows from the UK, Escape to the Country, etc......to realize how much value there are and will be in the next hundred years! All our housing periods are still young by comparison, and the things people value in the super-old places around the UK show that they have future-value here. Jane- maybe go for a drive through neighbouring streets or even suburbs to get a feel for what you like? I am personally a fan of white window frames/trim. I love the freshness of it. With white frames- you can then add whatever colour you fancy- grey is very on-trend, I have very pale blue, lemon yellow is sweet and bright, mauve can be quirky. I do love siriuskey's white-on-white also. A nice new lantern light out the front and a big potted plant- your place is going to look gorgeous!

I love Julie's ideas of succulents , especially the pics with several different ones in the same pot . As far as the grey , I wouldn't -- you look like you like colour and excitement , so I'd go yellow on the pots -- a similar or slightly brighter shade then the cushion on the couch or chair to the left . It would tie it all in , and make that lovely mat look more like a feature too IMO . Without knowing 'the bigger picture' ( what else is 'happening' around that wall ) , just what I see I'd be inclined to add a light either side of the door too -- stick to the same shade as the joinery ( personally , I'd go for a 'clean rustic; style with say 15 squares each side ) , or if brave ( and assuming the guttering etc is probably a similar charcoal as your door joinery ? ) , go for the same yellow as your pots -- add a Wow !

Hi Bee everything you have done looks lovely but it lacks practical storage. The day bed does take up a lot of space but if hubbie loves to watch Netflix can't argue with that what does he watch it on? because you are video conferencing it would serve both purposes to have a larger screen on the wall opposite the lounge above the desk for Netflix,computer and conferencing. The pretty open floating shelves currently above the desk be moved above the lounge and replaced with full width and height bookshelves Your new hanging book shelves really are only decorative and will block the view into what is already a cramped space and won't store very many books can you use it elsewhere. The art work on it's own would look better and more open. Can the rug be pulled back further or sideways to avoid the door You need to try and keep things off the floor to give a more open feeling. I hope the following might help to show where I'am going with this (siriuskey)