With the wood trim, and a white crown . .. I think the duvet color scheme wants white painted skirting and window / window sill. Then, try a softer violet on the accent wall .. .since both the red or the blue could coordinate with that but otherwise we have opposites - As a backdrop, violet can be nice with gray and white. Look at bm faded violet http://www.benjaminmoore.com/en-us/paint-color/fadedviolet#ce_s=violet and bm picket fence for the other walls, ( a soft warm off white that echos the tone of the carpet) with crisp white trim. http://www.benjaminmoore.com/en-us/paint-color/picketfence If you want a deep shade, look at wood violet .. http://www.benjaminmoore.com/en-us/paint-color/woodviolet#ce_s=violet the thing with a small room is that a shot of intense color can do a lot if paired mostly with neutrals and white. Great if you have a white wood headboard or padded slipcover above the bed, white matted art. . .. you do have good natural light, but with a dark wall you will want bedside lighting to be light and bright for nighttime. Here, the wood provided a gold element that was sort of helpful with the blue but will clash with where you are going.. Paint it out, and voila, you are on your way. . . there is a thread where a woman focused on white with coral - I'll find it and bring you the link so you can follow her decision making - she chose a strong accent wall in a small room and then concentrated on white and it is lovely.

Adding width BEHIND THE BED - with a headboard (which doesn't have to be a "headboard"; it could be fabric, collection of mirrors, collection of pictures, a farm gate!, small chairs or stools) across the entire width. Matching bedside tables/bookcases/chests/ with LAMPS - useful storage for extra books, extra bedding, etc. CURTAINS always warm up a room. People will always feel colder away from home - provide an extra blanket or duvet to add to the bed. I notice there is no WARDROBE. Not really necessary for overnight guests (provide hooks on the back of the door) but useful for storing your out-of-season coats, etc. There is plenty of room behind the door. Buy one on eBay and paint it to suit your colour scheme.

I think it might work better to have blinds on the wall with the smaller windows (perhaps in a plain colour) and have curtains on the main stretch of windows, using the existing curtains to replace the small roman blinds. This would allow the fantastic view to be the main focus. I do think plain curtains would work well here but you perhaps aren't keen to change them as they are new? Could they be used elsewhere? I also agree re moving the sofas so they aren't at angles, it looks a bit strange. Maybe try them in a u shape around the fire. And perhaps painting the door frame white might make the room feel calmer. Where did you find your lovely footstool btw?

Gosh, I've returned after a week travelling for work to loads more suggestions - thanks all! To respond specifically: - the house faces south so gets the lovely morning (and in the uk, sometimes the only) sun. - the husband has avoided putting plants in the planters due to maintenance and they're generally twee so comments here have confirmed to me that they will be coming out - love the idea of wooden boxes with the spiky plants and grasses - also like the concept of taking out the grass/bed/tree in front completely out and replacing with slabs - yes to lightening the windows - to the Barn company, I honestly don't mind the advice and I'd never seen sloping garage roofs. - nicking ideas from landscaping of new builds....great idea! - finally, Helen Scholes, I'm embarrassed about the spelling of kerb. Had no idea! Thanks again all.