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!

I disagree with respected commenter above. I strongly believe that having the correct provisions will ensure your house is ready for any future technology you might want to install. Having no provisions you will have to find ways to pull cable in the future, or go with less reliable wireless products. We have experienced this with so many clients. At first they install the bare minimum, but once the house is completed and they have some funds to spare, they can easily upgrade if they have the right provisions. Feel free to email me at nicos@qioto.com and I can provide some advise if you wish. No obligation of course...

I would embrace the element, but I would get rid of the wood chips. I'm thinking back fist sized river rocks. Then I would get a tallish flowering tropical such as hibiscus and add a few ivy plants to grow between the rocks. Additionally, a small water feature might be nice. For me, the bigger problem with the entryway is the door. You have an obviously contemporary home, yet you have a -very- traditional door. I would want a wood door with some sort of art glass element in it. The wood would of course need to be stained to match the existing woodwork. The door will be some big bucks, but it would remain regardless of flooring changes. These two doors are not specific recommendations, but examples of the type of entry door I have in mind. Best wishes!

The photo gives a bit of an idea , but an inside shot would really be needed , plus an idea of your favourite things . Probably the two best guesses would be art on the walls , and/or plants . Plants would only work if it 2 metres or more deep , but boy could you have fun , with different coloured leaves , textures , heights , leafy plants , cactuses , all sorts . A marble statue or a rock water feature depending on style and taste . Art is more personal -- family photos may be important to you , or you may like WW2 planes , or large colourful abstracts may suit your tastes and draw looks . Other things like a wallpapered feature wall , even timber may work , but you need to suss out what suits YOU -- unless you want a home and garden magazine clone .