Is this West Elm sofa the kind of thing you are looking for? Or even lower to the ground? http://www.westelm.com/products/4227534/?catalogId=52&bnrid=3918508&cm_ven=Google_PLA&cm_cat=furniture&cm_pla=Sofas_+_Sectionals&cm_ite=West_Elm_Baxter_Sectional_Sofa_Cotton-Rayon_Ikat_Print_Feather&adtype=placi_src=17588969&ci_sku=4227534&ci_kw=%7Bkeyword%7D

Thanks for the replies! My wife suggested we talk to a local real estate agent, so i think that is a good idea... just that Im not sure how helpful they are likely to be if we arent selling yet :) As for saving for our dream house, I dont disagree, however if doing this up nicely over the next ~5 years or so while we live here nets us some extra in the eventual sale, then that of course will help us as well. Interesting thing happened today actually. I got a knock on the door and one of the older neighbours asked if he could take some lemons from the tree. I of course said yes. Anyway he was telling me he had lived in the street for 40 years. I asked him if the house had always looked like this, and he said no that ~30 years ago the old old owner did a massive renovation and pulled off the timber and put up the bricks and gutted the inside of the house. Interesting stuff!

I think the brands you have listed are good! What colour were you thinking? How have you gotten the opportunity to import carpet? I hope it's not too expensive for you!

I'm doing up a bedroom and have seen this gorgeous bed end on a website - see attached photo. Does anyone know where I could get one from in NZ? Thanks!