I have just taken a couple more pictures (excuse the untidy house) from the stairs. As you can see it's an open plan area that isn't that big but very high ceilings also in wood (Macrocarpa) with dark wooden beams. The house is surrounded by bush so quite a dark house. I initially considered a darker wood similar to the beams but not sure if that will make the house appear smaller / darker...I'm really not sure what to do!?!?!? Thanks

We went away from standard way. The patio builder had never built what we wanted before, but he did a fantastic job, and he thought it was great too and took photos to add to his portfolio. The roof of the patio is skillion style that is canter levered over the gutter and slopes away from the house. I don't have any photos and it is dark now. I will take some tomorrow if you are interested. I think it is very cool and a bit different. The gaps are in- filled with polycarbonate. We have just had a severe storm...patio clean and dry. It has actually given us an extra room for prob 9 months of the year.

Hi there! We are about to start a renovation project which will produce an open plan kitchen / lounge area with a high ceiling and exposed beams in the lounge part. The house is a coastal property, but on a harbour rather than a beach. I'm a huge fan of colour and am planning a boho-type them with relatively neutral coloured walls and then lots of colour in furnishings, artwork etc. My issue is as to what colour to paint the walls. I don't like anything cream/beige/brown/ grey/pure white, so was thinking of a very light blue, or perhaps a white with a warm blue undertone. Any suggestions?

I am facing the same thing !! In the same spot Your ideas sound fab. I was going to put a door on mine as I don't have pretty books like you have though. But indent the bifold door 300 in, and make it 600 wide as the hole is 900 then have shelves on one side for some treasures I will start to collect cos I have a place now for them. Do you love the arch or are you going to square it off? Do you love the small one on the left? If not...make it a square niche and modernise them / it, as I'm not a big fan but you may love them. What you propose sounds perfect. The dark colour, nice too..or moody wallpaper on the back wall before putting up the shelves.