It seems that 2 story houses are becoming much more the norm here. At least in the metro areas. People are wanting bigger houses and builders can get more house on less land. Mattresses, box springs and dressers have to be the WORST things to get up stairs ;-) I love the look of staircases and love the view a 2nd story provides. I'll tell ya though - we're not elderly (YET!) but I love not carrying laundry and other items up and down stairs ;-)

Hi Travis and SoYoung - thanks for mentioning the fireplace.....I was thinking that I would keep it simple with a wood shelf over it and a large piece of Art but I now think it might be a bit lost. Would love some ideas as it needs to work with the built-ins which are slightly domineering. Also, Liam_Boyle - agree re the unbalance. The TV will be staying but I have a lovely coffee table and 2 identical sofas coming so I'm hoping to lay out symmetrically in the room. Will keep 1 of the chairs. Hope this will balance up. Thanks.

East Kent Eco - again thank you for your input. As a pro I wonder if you could offer your thoughts on a couple of scenarios 1 - Leave bath where it is - what would be involved in moving the shower 4-6 inches to the centre of the bath? I did consider the P shaped bath and will consider your suggestion for a shorter bath to allow room for the toilet, but I currently had to put in a door stop to protect the shower door from the entrance door handle and I would be concerned about a rounded door being even closer. If I left the bath where it is I have a couple of options, turning the toilet and cistern 90 degrees to the adjoining wall - see above for the considerations there, or I have also considered switching the toilet and sink. I would put the sink facing the wall where the cistern currently is have a large-ish vanity from the base of the bath to the wall, and the if the toilet was where the sink is it would not interfere with the doors for the hot press as the seat would be considerably lower than the sink is currently thus giving me the better access I want. In this scenario the main issue for me would be the toilet would be facing the entrance door, a bit unsightly but if it gave me the space I want I think I could live with the compromise. 2 - A bit more involved, but I have also considered moving the bath sideways along the short length of the room, shower end over the space where the cistern is currently and moving the sink and toilet to the space where the bath is currently. I think this would allow me room for a vanity and maybe also a tall storage cupboard for the towels and linens currently in the hot press. The obvious concern with this is the shower spray in the direction of the hot press, if I got the storage I needed elsewhere in the bathroom I wouldn't be concerned about those getting wet, but would want to ensure I don't end up with a leak over the stairs. Access would also be an issue if repairs were required for the shower pump or the hot water system. You would have to step into the bath to gain access. Is there a solution to waterproof the cupboard?

Hello aoifej, Firstly that is a good sized room... The fireplace is very interesting indeed! It is the main focus and so perhaps you want to consider painting it a darker shade still. The base a very dark shade of charcoal so it is separate and looks like a base stand....... Put a fabulous mirror over it... Something simple in design and squared or full circle like a convex. The red and wood box shelving, don't discard but consider painting it and then you could, if you have enough create a screen/divider for floor area arranged with gaps so it's not solid. Or mount in an interesting configuration on the walls for storage, and painted to match the walls... This then gives you something textured on the walls... that is somewhat bolder and would sit well with the fireplace which is really fantastic.. The sofa is the wrong period style for this room really as it's not old enough or rustic..for french style.. Also the french doors are very modern, so the room takes on a far more modern feel... So you will find it hard to make it sit right such as it is..... It would be best to place it to face the fireplace and leave the french doors free.... You want to be able to have them open so you can easily walk outside... So try situating it in the bay window but not too far in... You may like to have a console table behind the sofa in the window with a table lamp... To take the ornate feel of the sofa away and to make it blend more... Try a sheet over the entire sofa... Then add a throw over the back and both arms... Something you could layer perhaps to disguise it's design more... I think then it will sit better in the room... You then at least can use the sofa, whilst you work out what to do as a sheet will protect it, should you wish to sell it... but I think if you keep it, as it is you will struggle, so re-upholster would be my suggestion.. So have it upholstered in a dark plain fabric and a colour to blend with the wooden frame, charcoal or something dark like mole, earthy tones........ This too then makes it really solid rather than ornate... It will help to blend it into the room and allow you to coordinate furniture to go with it.. Old and new can sit well together if you know how and what to do to make it work..... So some ideas for you to consider if you modify the sofa accordingly.... With a bit of artistic licence as I have used the fireplace as a focus twice and brought the garden in.. simply to cover your sofa, so I could add a similar one in a darker colour to show you what I mean.. I have added a whole array of styles to illustrate how you can integrate many styles to create something interesting.. In reality you will have far more space... as you won't be looking at duplicates! It's done very quickly merely to offer you some ideas as to how to work with what you have, rather than start again! Good design is about working with rather than against what someone has... ... NB: The hare pictured is merely for styling purposes as I like to use it.... BUT I would always recommend natural expiration or accidental expiration for taxidermy as opposed to acquiring by any other less humane means! . : ))