I think you could get the telly put over the fireplace. Might need a mantle to deflect radiant heat, not sure. But on the cables and power, I imagine they can get that sorted. Im guessing there is a wall behind you when you took the photos. I agree that a low corner modular sofa would look great. Just don't get it so long that it is up against the fireplace wall. Placed into that corner of end and piano walls . Then pop your cute chair where the sofa is now. Large ( big enough for the sofa front legs sit on it, I'm guessing 2x3m or even 3x4m) patterned rug to define the area. Can you move the piano to another room or against the computer area wall? Can you make the small windowed room the homework hub? Imagine a long bench against the window ( Ikea do a good cheap range that you make to fit your space). Ensuring the computers are in line of sight from the kitchen(?). Pull out the table to give it more space around it. Or flip it to run the other direction. Hard to tell from the pics the dimensions. Paint a lighter shade as mentioned before. A sketch of your floorplan would be really helpful :)

I have tried all the suggestions Perini - didn't look purple in real life. Tile Boutique - no purple floor tiles at all. All all the lots and lots of other places = no purple floor tiles. Yes I have seen purple glass mosaics almost everywhere but I don't want small mosaics on the floor. Will also cost $55 sqm more to have grouted than a regular size floor tile. Looks like I'll just have to do boring grey as it's the trend but I have at least found one with sparkles if I can't have purple. I'm also amazed at reactions of the tile sales people - questioning, surprise, snobbery and happiness to be trying to look for something that is different. Cant' say I can't find purple, I have but with a 10 to 14 week wait to be ordered from O/S and lots of $$$ but I need to reno the bathroom by then so can't wait. Motto: If you have time and money can do anything.

Don't try to bypass the approvals process as it will come back to bite you on the bum when it comes to selling your home. Nobody wants to buy real esate that has illegal construction so it will actually devlaue your home. The requirements for approvals vary from state to state, and sometimes even council to council. However with the type of boundary construction, and the length of it will probably require DA approval in most areas of Australia. Best to have a friendly, informal chat with one of the planners at council who should be able to advise you in the requirements for your locality. Or enage a local architect/designer who is familiar with terrace house renovations, who will handle the design, documentation and permit applications for you. The photo supplied by Siriuskey with the glazed roof over the kitchen was created by a design professional. Best of luck, Dr Retro of Dr Retro House Calls

Once we get more texture (rugs, wall scones, pops of colour, shelves) and accent furniture in the room… it will seem a lot less bare. We were really going for a more masculine industrial feel here. The rest of our house is all over the map lol. Balinese front living room. Rustic modern farmhouse kitchen/dining room. Hamptons bedrooms… but each space is thoughtfully decorated and neat/modern. I don’t like to have the whole house seem the same…. So we have ‘areas’