Also open to changing the open fireplace surrounds if you think so? just wanting it to all flow :)

Rather than carpet I’d continue with wood flooring and put a really big rug especially as it’s going to be kids play area as it’s easier to replace rug than carpet if stained, also change the metal trim to wood and paint brick fireplace a lighter colour

Colour in photos can be tricky, but it appears your red timber floors are fighting with your brick and other timber items. Are they solid timber? Is sanding them back and staining, if their natural colour doesn’t appeal / complement, an option? Conversely, play to the red and grey scheme with lightly patterned grey / red / white or grey / navy / white curtains. Hang them high and a bit wider than the span to give a luxe look. And perhaps, if you go this way, finish your existing timber furniture in a grey wash or stain. Painting your brick is an option, as is cladding all or some in plaster or a simple panelling. I love the MCM chair you have in the playroom, and I’m a fan of mixing styles, but I’d replace it with a bucket chair or two in a different, to the curtains, but complementary colour patterned fabric. Once you’ve got your basics giving a more harmonious feel, start layering with artwork, throws, an ottoman or two, lighting etc. It takes time to develop a room / home. Don’t rush, chose your colour scheme and furnishing style and gradually move in that direction. Stick pretty much to the 70/20/10 rule and browse the Houzz lookbooks for inspiration, and importantly, trust yourself. After all, we all manage to dress ourselves without causing too many raised eyebrows, no reason we can’t transfer our good taste to our home 😉

Thanks @Jan Dobson. the red floorboards are artifical and warped and creaky. i definitely need to replace them at some stage. they came with the house.. probably with oak coloured floors like the last inspo pics, either real wood or engineered. Just not sure if we have the budget to do it straight away??

You need an architectural visualization of the place, to be clear about the steps to take. I invite you to contact me and see how you would make everything clearer. Right now everything is confusing in your head little by little you are clarifying with the step by step that we are building the rooms.

Some examples.

Invitation

For a possible contact here.

Total coincidence Katrina, but I was in an acquaintance’s home and she had 2-3 year old vinyl flooring and it looked amazing. Not your grandma’s lino, that’s for sure. I didn’t ask the cost but I know she is on a pretty tight budget, so it might be worth looking into. She cares for her three grandkids 2/3 times a week and has two dogs and a cat, but there was nary a scratch. And it was really comfy underfoot.

Sounds great @Jan Dobson! Does anyone know more about vinyl or hybrid flooring? im in Melbourne.