Oh so cool you noticed that we're trying to achieve a french country/industrial look or did we write that somewhere? I've attached some other photos of a bedroom and the foyer (of those we've taken so far), but are absolutely open to suggestions on a "beachy" feel as well or instead of. Although because its a beach house we don't want to go over board on expense and hence keeping what we already have, and just adding personality to it, if you get what we mean. Kingsize Black upholstered headboard to come in that bedroom.

There is nothing worse than ceiling-mounted lights--harsh shadows, flat lighting. They are strictly for utility. I would put a large-ish, shallow cylindrical shade on them and put nothing more than a 15-watt bulb in them. Use them strictly for lighting your way as you walk through the room. I agree with Vincent; the chair in the corner doesn't fit at all, nor does the one under the A/C unit (put that one with its mate behind the love seat). And the curtains look smooshed. I think the problem with the bookcases is that they are uninteresting. Did you buy books-by-the-yard? What are all those identical books? They are visually uninteresting. I'd get rid of some of them and get some colorful ceramics/glass/photos. The room is absolutely overwhelmed with furniture. It needs one less love seat. Do you really need all of them? Pushing them against the walls/curtains so tightly just visually emphasizes the fact that there is too much furniture. I don't think a mirror above the fireplace will work. When people are sitting down (which is most of the time), all they will see is a reflection of the ceiling--the plain, white ceiling. Get some real art in there with some color.

The all black kitchen looks scary as. Maybe because there's no lightness in there at all.

We've recently shifted into a re-developed 1980s home. This front garden has been stripped of former shrubs and trees and re-planted. There is nice topsoil for about and 3-5cm, then it's very wet, clay-like and difficult to dig. There are a lot of notorious weeds including clover, buttercup and two types of ivy. The jasmine (creeper in the centre) is going because we suffer hay fever. I'm considering an evergreen clematis in it's place. I'm concerned that some of these shrubs will grow much too big for the spot. I'm not really fond of some of the low growing ones either. And my biggest concern is the soil... So, BIGgest question number one: should I remove all of these plants and treat the soil? It needs a good rotary hoe, compost dug in, covered with weedmat for a season in an effort to kill off the weeds... etc etc I could pot the shrubs and either keep them for replanting when the garden is ready, or sell them. I'd like to include some sort of feature (stone item?) and a pretty small ornamental like a japanese maple or maybe crab apple. Maybe some sort of rockery, or being part shady could include some woodland plants instead.. Or even a short meandering path as the garden is quite wide (and my 4yo loves to run through it of course...) I guess what I do with it the options are endless. Probably worth noting that this garden is alongside our front path and front entranceway. But is it worth ripping out those shrubs and starting over with the soil, or do I leave the soil be and simply re-arrange what is there? Thanks for your help!