I like @kelly's idea of picking a lovely fresh color of paint for the door. You can then bring it down onto the stair risers. Either a solid color to match the front door, or go wild and add some decorative elements to the risers with stencils. Or think of staining the door a great color and coordinate the stair railings and risers. I have an idea book put together for just such project that might spark some ideas for you. http://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/16700983/thumbs/Kathryn-Delany-s-Decorative-Stair-Risers

Hi everyone, we have moved in! We didn't manage to paint before we moved and think we will go for a staged approach - above the wood panels first in a warm white then decide on the panels. I'm having a bit of trouble working out what kind of sofa to buy and how at arrange the lounge. All furniture except coffee table temporary in photos and would love some ideas!

A very simple layout keeping the floor space within the kitchen, the WIP takes up a lot of space with not much gain, The broom cupboard could be moved to the Laundry/entrance, narrow. If the wall has been bumped out to the eaves on the deck side giving an extra 300 depth to the kitchen you could make the island 2700 x 1200 and all drawers. The wall of narrow pantry will hold all pantry needs and more, no deep cupboards to dig into. cheers

Like everything , it comes down to budget and 'value for money' -- generally both the cheapest but also the most expensive aren't the best options -- its doing things 'cleverly' . The entrance foyer looks like it may be a bit dark and closed in , but you don't really want to open the wall between it and the kitchen either . Not really in the 'brief' , but I'd look at opening up the doorway into the lounge -- I guess it depends whether you close that door often ? To me , the only way/place to get more room would be 'open' the double doors and however much more you can between the lounge and family room ( before you strike load bearing walls near the wood burner ) , move the dining room to the family room , and then basically do whatever you like with the kitchen , utilising the existing space and the existing dining space . That may work , or maybe you don't want to combine the lounge and family room , in the latter case maybe move the lounge to the existing family room , utilising the window seats and maybe downsize your lounge suite , wall mount a TV , etc . And then use the existing lounge as dining and family area ? None are ideal , but thats my 'off-the-top-of-my-head' thoughts .