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.

I think the design of the exterior has real 70s integrity. A bit of paint is all you need. Replace the garage doors with floor to ceiling windows matching the aesthetic the current windows already have. You should check out Cocontest.com for architecture work, or you could try and find an interior architect (there are degree courses in interior architecture these days) I've seen loads of one plan's posts and it would definitely be worth having a chat with them. I also think that you'll get more out of the project if you can educate yourself a little on design. I do my best to do this over on www.houseplanshelper.com

This might sound a bit like being on the fence given the advice you've had already... How about a mid to dark grey ( less contrast than black), RAL 7022 is a favourite of mine (warmer grey), or look at a green grey, as something that will have the colour of the olive, with a good amount of contrast against the white render, (you won't have the warm rich colours of the brickwork as in the photos above (which the olive looks good against)). If you are painting the timber windows you would do well to look at microporous opaque stains to reduce your on-going maintenance. A benefit of aluclad composite windows is colour outside can be factory supplied different to the interior finish. Hope this might help. Regards, Nick

All, Looking for advice from those who work in Kitchen Design. I recently finished my studies and am qualified Interior Designer (Higher Diploma BTEC). I am currently working at Kitchen Design Showroom. I was hired specifically do 3D Kitchen Renders / Presentation Packs / Face to Face presentation of proposed design to clients etc. I really love kitchens design and even though I am qualified designer, my course emphasis was Commercial Design (Hospitality / Retail outlets). I feel I have a lot to learn in order to feel confident to design kitchens (logical next step). Can anyone recommend good go to resources for Kitchen Designers - books, links? Am I best off learning on the job or do people think it would be worth doing a follow on Diploma specifically in Kitchen Design? Thanks everyone!