Your room looks fine. There is no such thing as a whole room in any specific style in the real world. All our rooms are just a mixture of a bunch of things that we like and find comfortable. If anything, all it needs is some colour and brightness. This can be achieved with cushions (make them tactile as well so that people use them and don't just throw them on the floor) in a few brighter colours and perhaps some sheer curtains and a brighter floor rug (this bit can be a bit more expensive). Other than that this is a lovely family living room. It is quite reasonable that you and your husband only like art that you actually 'like' rather than just pretty pictures on your wall for the sake of interior design. But, if you happen to find anything else you both like then add it to your home as you go.

Californian Bungalow, brick so probably Sydney not Melbourne, but the casement windows are throwing me off as is the unusual porch design?! You've got a gem! ; D Otherwise the architrave shape and any other remaining original interior features could further clarify for you.

There are so many variables and ways to build things. Building succesfully is very much working well in three dimensions and understanding the structure, and the waterproofing required in three dimensions. Your question suggest that you are only thinking in terms of heights and brick courses, but there are lots of other things happening that would suggest that you get a section of the house and post it with dimensions. Most building professionals work in millimetrres rather than brick coursing. So converting your dimensions to millimetres - 28 courses is 2400mm, which is the minimum height for a habitable room ceiling. Six courses of brickwork is 514mm for the window opening, however your glazed area will be less than this due to the width of the window frame. Your 3 courses of brickwork which is 257mm should be enough for most steel lintels, unless you have a really wide opening for a window? You also need to allow for flashing if the clerestorey is above another roof running into the same wall - if this is the case you may need the full 47 courses. I would be asking your designers why they need 47 courses, as it is a lot higher, and there may be problems with setback issues? Is it a flashing issue? Is it a window opening width and lintel issue. I am afraid you haven't really supplied enough information or images to explain about the clerestorey window so it is impossible to answer precisely. Best of luck, Dr Retro of Dr Retro House Calls and Dr Retro Virtual Visist

A second bathroom would be good on the top floor. You could also reconfigure the existing upper floor bathroom. Move the hand basin. Have a door on the hallway side, and close up the existing door from bedroom and put the basin on that side next to the toilet. Then it will be accessible for all occupants without walking through someone’s bedroom.