Thank you everyone for your comments. We live outside Christchurch, and the house was badly damaged in the quakes here. The post-quake rebuild process could safely be described as slightly chaotic, and the house company I am using are located some distance away (like on the North Island), which is why discussion with the architect has been - em - less than optimal. The architect threw something at me to get me out of my comfort zone I think and this is what's freaking me out! I think the windows on the east side are to come (no reason for them not being there), and probably a skylight in the kitchen roof. The section of land is narrow and steep, (this is a historic port town and with access from the south (where the view is); there is no parking other than on the street (south). Patricia - the laundry doesn't sit right with me either! Looks a bit like it's been glued on the side of the hosue. And it is too small as it is to store coats, shoes etc. This is the access to the back garden - thus the door (also means muddy boots can be dumped when we come in!). Entering a house through a living room is very common over here, especially where space is at a premium (small section, small house footprint).

Thank you for ideas the room is little dark in day but I love the night effect, we are repainting so could look at half the tone of current colour, the chairs I have in the room are silver. The photo does not reflect this, wonder if gold would be odd the stone sofa has metal legs, the house is 1970 ContempOry but I love to mix old and new, and wanting elegant French look, what type of comfy chairs should I get to match sofa and where would they best fit, do you think the armoire go next to fire.? with our old settee should I keep this single chair but cover it? I wonder if it too bulky? Also the leather chair is brown should I keep this in the room or not. the mirror above chairs is silver and gold frame should I shift it /paint it /leave it and add tall lamp in this ares to make reading corner, and can pull in chairs when have guests? The oak cabinet is a keeper have I got this in the best position, I appreciate all ideas.

I am planning to add scatter cushions and think if I do a pair of larger ones for each end so they go over the arms to creat height at each end, and a couple of smaller ones, I want to bring some colour in too. I do like the idea of a larger side light at either end to, Switching the sofas is going to be my final fix if all else fails!!

Thanks very much for all your feedback. Just to answer a few queries - the deck is directly outside the main room so the new doors open out onto it. The doors won't be French - they're just the only doors that the 3D planner I'm using had, they'll actually be large stacking doors. I've had another idea too which would be a lot more expensive but offers a completely different approach. This is quite rushed so doesn't show accurate layout of kitchen or anything like that, basically just provides an idea. Thoughts!?