I think trying to remove the rust either physically or chemically risks removing the letters as well. Also, sealing the rust will preserve the patina of the piece. But start with light coats of sealer after testing in a less visible area, A thick coat can darken the color quite a bit. This might enhance the lettering or obscure it so better to proceed with caution. Also, you might consider adding a sheet of thick glass to make a top if the sealer doesn't do the trick. It would protect both the luggage and the lettering from each other.

Bring the window down to meet the cupboard. Really lefty47 was right about not drawing attention to it. It is a source of light ,,, so no need to clutter it up. But if you took the colour out and painted the top of the cupbard to match the wall it ceases to draw attention to itself. Just because it is a horizontal space does not meant it needs something put on it. Note- With the cupboard being white, it also draws attention to itself … perhaps take that to the wall colour too and lift the pendant a smidge. So your pendant is the feature there. The cupboard … do yo need it? One way to remove what you are calling dead space is to get rid of the cupboard.

I'd get a signwriter to do a bespoke sign that doesn't look like a mass produced one , with something like 'Our main entrance is this way' or similar , say orange lettering on a 40cm square white powdercoated alloy sign , and a squiggly arrow -- or maybe get it on a varnished wooden sign or similar -- spend $50-100 rather than $10 . Fasten on that left hand front beside the garage door . Not a complete solution , but it will help if done right .

Hi, we are currently trying to sell our house that has had a room built that is not on LIM/drawings etc (we were aware of tis when we purchased the house 5 years ago). We had one potential sale fall through due to banks not wanting to lend due to this room, so we contacted a house inspection company who said we needed a 3rd party report and have it added to our property record. We went ahead with this and the report found that "this alteration work predated the implementation the 1991 Building Act and therefore a Third-Party Report (or old Safe & Sanitary report) is sufficient to deal with this unrecorded building work. " and the work done is "safe and sanitary". The also updated the drawings to include the modifications. Thinking we had solved the issue we have just had another bank reject lending due to this room. The council also attached a letter to our property record stating "Council is not obliged to hold such information on file but if it does so, you should be aware that Council’s actions in no way authorise, or give approval of, the work undertaken without consents under the Building Act 2004 or preceding regulation. Furthermore, Council has not inspected any of the work that is described in your application." Which makes it sound like the report is worthless. Does anyone have any insight into what we can do to resolve this issue? Cheers