Hello the days are brightening up by now and I'm sure the room is looking less drab for it. However I think furniture rearranging will work wonders. You seem to have nice low window sills: show them off. If the sofa goes to the left between window and built-in unit you'll have a view out to the garden and more light in the room. Equally: can you fit the piano between the radiator and the double doors? Again: more light through the window. Low sills are a god-send, and so many of us are stuck with high ones. The room will feel more spacious with a good view to outdoors. The armchairs then: one to the left of the fireplace and one between the other window and piano. TV then between the two windows. (No shine on the screen) Does that fit maybe? Or do you need all five seats facing the TV? I rather like those stripy cushions. Can you find a striped wallpaper in matching colors and with an irregular pattern repeat for your accent wall? if going with wood floors how about a sheepskin rug for each of your doggies? Black or white. One last detail. A lower table for your side lamps would be good: At sofa arm or seat height. Coffee table could work in corner between window and new sofa position. Btw: I liked the suggestion to replace the cupboard doors above the fish tank with full-height ones. In some kitchen shops you can find ready-painted, wooden, panel doors that might fit. It's a long shot but you could be lucky. It would brighten up the corner if you got a light colour.

Can you post photos of the kitchen? We don't know what color or style of cabinets you have, backsplash, floors, etc. and those details will affect color and style suggestions for furniture and accessories.

Thanks Jeffrey, bluenan, yoboseiyo and dianahb. Our furniture is stacked up at the furniture restorer's, hence the odd pictures. I am going there tomorrow morning to work through the fabric samples, so I'll post a better picture then. Dianahb, I only know mohair as the wool type in throws etc. I searched on the site here and the pictures thrown up as mohair look like a velour finish to me - perhaps it's known under a different name here in Ireland. But I'm a novice so wouldn't know the names of various fabrics anyway ...! Bluenan, I like the chinoiserie idea but I think it's hard to find a pattern that would not fight with the chinoiserie handpainting on the sides and legs of the pieces. If we stripped the suite it would be much easier to upholster, but would lose some of its unique personality. Jeffrey, I love the silks idea and I will google the ones you mention and maybe try to track down equivalents here in Ireland.

A window seat would be great for storage. I would also add tall storage (in gloss white to reflect light) on either the TV wall or presumably you have an empty back wall at the moment. Maybe add a giant colourful world map mural over the sofa? Definitely add a rug. A coffee table would be good for the younger child to use for crafts etc. You could try one of the mid-century designs that are around at the moment with the painted legs so it suits both age groups. Maybe paint the desk in a brighter colour for the older child to use? Choose a paint with a satin finish rather than matt. A mirror will also help with the light. I think the key is storage though as it is a nice room already.