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

I see a window there... good! Is it facing north or which direction is it? Are the doors & trim throughout the house all dark brown? Light doors & trim would help alot. Lighter happy paint colors, such as butter yellow or limon walls would bring a sunny warm fresh feel to the room. Try some punchy colored feature walls as shown in Manon's above photo (thanks Manon). Get new furniture & some fun colored art & accessories, everything's looking very dated. Better lighting & a tall floor lamp that spreads light across the ceiling or corner. Lighter drapes (with grommets) down to the floor would help OR Roman shades or 2" faux wood blinds covering just the window would modernize the space and give you more wall space. New flooring in updated colors such as white-washed gray driftwood. Designate areas or stations in the room for different activities, such as floor games in one corner with colorful interlocking foam floor mats, comfie seating (bean-bag chairs) for movies in another area, table & chairs for table activities (coloring/puzzles/games/crafts), etc. Are your children boys or girls? That'll make a difference in what you choose and how you put it all together.

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).

Absolutely no problem changing up the carpet. Things to watch for......make the transition in a doorway, an opening or along a visual break in the rooms (like the corners of the walls). I would stay in the same colour range, but just go to the other end of the spectrum rather than change the colour completely.....like light grey going to dark grey, not light grey going to navy blue. You want the separation but an easy transition on the eyes.