First thing I'd do is throw the grey carpet up onto the sofa. Meaning it's colour. Introduce a thick grey throw, loosely folded over one of the seats, up over the back then layer your cushions in front of that. Building up onto it will scatter your colour palette around and start bringing it all together. It will be softened. However keep your colours to a minimum, perhaps 2. This does not include tones of colour, as many as you like will add interest and sophistication. In a chocolate and grey interior, it could be luxe, but I am thinking shades of salmon and mustard up against creams and greys. You also need to link your walls to the sofas, as the floor area looks heavy in comparison. To correct it you either introduce the wall colour down onto the floor, or the floor colour up onto the wall, it will balance it out. I'd place large black frames with rich colours of chocolate with perhaps gold leaf or metallics. Keep it abstract to be modern, or even go the opposite with some classic charcoal pencil sketches in a pair of large frames. The images will start to personify your space, so choose the context of the image that you can continue a theme from, like architecture where you can place related objects on a side table, even coffee table, I love tables with reference books that on a Whim you can pick up for inspiration. It shows who you are and what you aspire to. Or it may be floral, landscapes, paintings whatever, find something that works. Don't necessarily go looking for art, you can make it, save an image online, print and frame to suit you and your budget. Even an a3 image can be framed in a larger frame to make a bold statement, just add a frame Matt that you get from a picture frame shop. Ikea also have ready made large frames too. For some reason emerald green keeps popping into my mind when I look at your room, maybe some plants, foliage can liven a space but also, slight little traces of it around can freshen a space. Maybe thin picture frames, or spines of books can bring this in.

ondering if you could tell me what your sandstone wall is (cladding, real stone blocks, etc). we are planning to do this behind our heaater in new family room, but having trouble finding something that looks authentic. cheers. oh, and definately white grout. classic, to match everything else, dark grout looks too busy, and will date really fast. (IMHO)

Hi Renae, thanks for using our photo in relation to the black and white cabinet work. I think that the black/white is certainly a time-less look, you will be able to add any colour with it as trends change. The client worked with a satin 2PAC on this job, we do not recommend a matt 2PAC as it will give a chalkboard appearance. Another point to note is that the black may show any chips easier while the paint is still curing, so be sure to get a pot of touch up paint for any small incidents. If you haven't already had a look at the full portfolio of this job, please do so. All of the cabinet work is black and white throughout the house.

Go with your gut Tracy..... it is a big investment but I have found that if it makes you smile every time you walk into your kitchen you'll never regret it!!!! I've recently moved into a smaller downsized home with my 3rd black kitchen, with drawers, no cupboards, except for the pantry which we use as the crockery and wine glasses stash. Mine is matt but no handles = no hip bangers! I chose to use snow white stone bench tops, the walls are painted natural white while the floors are pale oak hybrid vinyl.