I've had a look at free offerings for floor planning software. It depends on the level you want to go to. Sweethome3D http://www.sweethome3d.com/ is truly free because it's open source (no fees if you want to draw more than one plan etc). I've found I can get reasonably detailed with it from layout perspective but I doubt it would be good enough for a drawings for a building permit (although I'm not certain of this). As a graphic designer you'll have an affinity for graphics software. If you want to be able to draw more detailed drawings Id take the time to learn Sketchup. I know some architects use this as their software of choice. I'm definitely with you @Jason Carter - the only way to really control your budget is to plan ahead and choose and price everything that you can think of before you break ground. Otherwise you're in a situation where you have to make quick compromises during the build which leads to mistakes etc. In my work we use requirements tracking tools. I think it would be really helpful to communicate to the contractors exactly what is going to go on in the room - why the extra outlets are there and in the position they're in. That way they have a deeper understanding of why the specs are the way they are and they don't make decisions that detract from the design - they might even come up with suggestions that support the ideas behind the designs.

Love your floors good job. Good luck in design school. I find working in the field is more help than taking classes. There are many furn stores that hire designer or want to be designers, for their stores. To help clients, and go to their homes, to help them buy furn. You can gain so much knowledge this way . And make a living at the same time. Working as a assist to a designer, is a great way to break in to the field. A lot of designers will hire from the school. I'm sure you have a job board. Check it for even part time work. It pays off. Now your room. Like your sofa. Good color to work with. But, don't forget the small stuff. Like window covers, art, area rugs and accessories. Putting a room together is the hardest thing to do. It's very easy to put a sofa and chairs in a room. It's the accessories that bring a room together. Study a designer you relate too on TV. There are many I used to love Candice Olsen. Not sure if she is on the air. She does have books out. Study them see how rooms are pulled together. Then copy it for your room. Color is a matter of taste. Look for unusual things to add to your room. A simple thing like stacking some books together with a art item on top,is inexpensive and space filling look. You don't have to spend a lot. Rug, pillows window panels are found everywhere. Unless you have unlimited budget, can shop, Ikea, Pier One, World Market, Z galleries, West Elm. Even some deals at Restoration Hardware. Sometimes just go window shopping at above, to get ideas, find fun things. Don't rush. Take your time and find just the right thing for you. Good luck. That being said go a 6x9 rug in a traditional look with yr red and gold print. Stay with those colors just go different tones. Going the dark reds over bright is way to go in traditional. The bold colors work better with a modern look. Mix up design, size and prints in pillows. Panels on end of windows with a bamboo shade in dark brown. A inexpensive look that is timeless. Panels could be a gold velvet, that will give you a more traditional look. Move media for TV closer to firepl. If in budget go a round or square 24" coffee table in glass to show off rug. Over firepl a big 36" sun burst mirror hang 7" from top of mantel. TJMax has great price. Also ck them for pillows, rugs. They have a great return policy, which is very important. Always ck store policy on returning. Because you will be returning, it's part of the job. I will buy. 3 rugs at a time, to try in clients home. That's OK. Things look different in different light. Also coffee tables should be no more than 18" from front of sofa.

Hi snan - to address your questions: 1 - yes, the lamps work very well. With regard to the height of the larger lamps: do you know how high they would be? If the bottom of the lampshade is even with the top of the pillows that should work. If they are taller than that I think you will be okay with the smaller lamps. Look back again at some of the pictures above to see what I mean. The thing that will look odd would be if the top of the lamps were taller than your headboard. The idea is that when you are in bed reading a book that you want the light to be able to reflect down. As far as the lampshade size goes on the smaller lamps I'm thinking the shorter ones since they don't seem to drop down as far as the larger ones. 2 & 3-Definitely chair by the mirrored bedside locker with one white locker on the other side. Without question. The chair to the left of the bed gave the room life. Use the extra white one in a closet or another room. You don't want to overcrowd your room when you are going for a tranquil setting. 4-Absolutely okay to have bedside tables that don't match and look good in the room. Whether or not you like that is a personal preference though. I would only put the mirrored one next to the bed though if you have the chair next to it. It's how they play off each other that makes it work. If you don't keep the chair next to the bed then I would use both white tables beside the bed. It is also fine that the pictures are off-centre to the wall as long as they are centered to the bed. :)

Thanks Decoenthusiaste! Yes that sofa is unavailable here and hard to find anything similar in local stores, but I may have one made up! So yes I’m using the images you post as inspiration and hope to find similar items here, I also love the grey Scandanavian sofa ideas you had earlier, and will use them as inspiration to get a lighter replacement. The blind on my window is screwed in place, but I could easily replace it with something that would let in more light, like the top down blinds (which are new to me!). I’m really glad no one has thought the absence of curtains an issue, as light is scarce here & I prefer the no curtains look. I do agree we should move the car to another part of our drive to get a nicer view out. A radiator cover that could double as a shelf would work well I think, I love the bespoke one, how cool! Also good to find out that you can get ones that allow the heat to rise. Re the music centre, I might replace with an iPod doc with speakers as Glo kindly suggested, In meantime I might cover it (and the dreaded TV!) with a piece of framed art leaning from the floor, aware that’ll be another competing focal point, but hopefully a nicer one! Thanks a lot for the tip re dimensions for a piece of art over the sofa and a coffee table, both of which are on my list to get, I would’ve had no clue re this and it’s fantastic to discover that there are certain rules which, if you apply them, can make your room work visually! Thanks again for the brilliant advice, I really appreciate it.