Hello Lisa..thanks for your comments - so kind of you. The pictures are not good (sorry) and to be honest whilst I'm renovating I don't have the courage the post much at all ..well at least until it's finished but here are a few enclosed. My real idea is to get a discussion going that we might all enjoy. and yes how light strikes (as in angle?) can impact on even the paint colour etc. I see so many questions from readers about wallpaper paint colour etc and yet experts and skilled people such as yourself will know that it's the cohesion that has to work and light can play such a huge part. A wallpaper can be purchased and then prove disappointing if used in different a light as can paint - which is why we use your good services where possible! I've a pile of boards each with different colours (I use linen style artists boards as I can shift them around - I leave a white border on them to allow a suitable contrast) The small bedroom picture with the striped curtains was more to show that curtain colour - it's now blended with duck egg blue paint (sorry it's a New Zealand company called Resene's so it won't be known of there but called Robin's Egg Blue), ivory carpets which I had edged in a green/blue wool. Before these drapes (Laura Ashley) were in a different room and just didn't work. The bedroom hasn't been finished (See? I'm still a tad embarrassed) but I mentioned these as with incandescent lights this curtain colour did not work at all. Taking my courage in both hands and uploading a picture of the main living area which is to be painted next to do away with the strong saturated green..very dark and gloomy as the natural light is very limited. Hoping you can't see the paint splotches on the wall. Another lesson I learned is to paint a surface white and THEN paint the choices. If we don't do this the original surface colour 'bleeds'. So I really hope to have others including myself recognise that we have to have one eye to the climate and outdoor colours all the time as well as the same paint colour possibly being different from room to room. Regards...and thank you once again for taking the time to reply.

Hi anne, that's what I was originally thinking, my issue is what colour I use for the 'pop' :) I keep coming back to a teal/turquoise colour (it's one of my favourite colours!!), I love blues, purples, teal/turquoise - many on here have suggested yellow but I'm really not sure about it. Here in New Zealand we're in Autumn, nearing Winter so uncertain about the yellow. I found these cushions that I've fallen in love it, and wondering how I could make these work.. do I try teal and mustard together, as an interior designer suggested?

I would clean up first. Especially the stuff growing in the paving. Then get gardening with pot plants and start experimenting with different plants and the positions. See what you like and if you can keep it alive! Our house has the sun setting over the back fence and we've done a few inexpensive things to reduce that issue (most expensive were outdoor blinds around the verandah) but for most of the year we just don't want to be out there. It is hard work to keep the plants going in summer, there is a lot of sand due to the difficulty in keeping lawn alive and it is just bloody hot. So, that's why I'm saying clean up, start gardening small and see how you go before committing to structures that might not address the real issues you have with the yard. Just my 2 cents! :)

Hi Lashford, A couple of thoughts for you to ponder. The artwork over the bed is not centralised so is out of sorts. Either two items placed evenly on either side or one wider item centrally located would work better, even if the bed is not on that wall. Would you consider putting the bed on the window wall so you look out the ranch sliders rather than at the wardrobe and ensuite doors? That way also if you want to make a feature wall behind the bed it will be rectangular rather than to a high ridge line. This re positioning does not lead to any extra walking around the bed as you currently walk in the door and all around the bed to the far side of it. Ideally I prefer not to see the bed in front of you when you walk in the room but I'd prefer to face the view than face the services. For a feature wall behind the bed, I think there are all sorts of options. Wallpaper is certainly an easy option but I think many people chicken out and don't choose something amazing enough. It is a small item so go brave. The one suggested by Pottsy99 is certainly a bold one and there are plenty to chose from. I am always aware of not making the bedroom too feminine as it is a shared space and both partners need to feel like they have ownership of it. Your curtains are also very neutral. You could 'bold them up' a bit too and tie them in with the colour theme you chose. I'm also a fan of making curtains longer hanging them from the ceiling to the floor. They look better when drawn closed. Blue will work well with the existing timber and grey carpet and you can add a small amount of a bolder colour like gold/amber or orange or even fuschia. Or you could work in a full grey scheme with a spot of colour. Paint on a feature wall still works but also timber battens painted in with the wall are popular at present and take a bit of time and effort but has impact. You could also do it in the rimu or macrocarpa to fit in with the existing timber and work it in with the window. Some images for you to ponder but not limited to these ideas. Cheers, Christine.