Now it's beginning to work! Luv the rug! A few more red showstoppers, and I luv the post about matting your family pic, and larger frame for it. Looks like you might be a bit uncomfortable with the great post idea of moving your sofa out into the room away from wall. If so, could you accept putting it diagonally from the entrance doorway, across that corner where it is, stopping at the edge of your window? That's a bit of a move outward, still can see the fp and tv, and show off your new rug, which could go diagonally in front of the sofa. Then, if you like that, after a while you could move it on out as Deb K suggests. Sometimes intermediate steps are more doable for us than those big changes.Same with painting; if you could first paint just the fp wall, then later paint other walls...seems some color would really make it more homey. Would you cosider a quite contemporary fixture for the light in the center ceiling? Maybe a bit of red could go there!

When you say "Do we paint the paneling as well as the other side - the rails etc." what exactly do you mean by 'the other side"? Are you referring to the underside of the stairwell? If so, I would leave that element. If you paint the panelling just be sure to give it a sanding before doing anything. I just had the wood trim in my place painted (just baseboards, not panelling like this) and I was told that it didn't need to be sanded first. Boy, do I regret it - there are spots that are flaking off already, and it was a good quality paint and primer used. In your case, I would paint the panelling but not the banister and stair rails unless you are also planing on painting all of the wood trim upstairs. Doing the panelling will leave you with the lighter, fresher look, while still looking classic with the wood stair rails. Also, it looks like you have the wood panelling in the hallway/entry way leading to the stairs - I think you need to have a consistent treatment for both areas so would paint this as well.

Hi everyone, we have moved in! We didn't manage to paint before we moved and think we will go for a staged approach - above the wood panels first in a warm white then decide on the panels. I'm having a bit of trouble working out what kind of sofa to buy and how at arrange the lounge. All furniture except coffee table temporary in photos and would love some ideas!

The blue is awesome (grey is too trendy)! The reason it stands out to you is perhaps because it's the only real colour there. Bring in the blue in a window treatment, a small appliance that sits on the counter, a pretty tray or area rug. Also, it is more appealing often if there are more than 2 colours - so right now you have a white and blue colour scheme - bring in red or orange or fushia - something from the other side of the spectrum (like you did with the yellow flowers but in a more permanent way)!