Well I am a very plain sort of a person and I don't like overdoing patterns. The timber in the cupboards is beautiful and I feel that bench top would detract from it. I would have as plain as possible top in a cream/beige to enhance the timber. This would give you plenty of choice of other colours in the room. I don't feel I can really comment on colours as I can't tell the aspect of your room or the lighting nor do I know what other colours you have through the house. The only downside to the cupboard doors you are considering is that they will attract dust and being in the kitchen a greasy dust.

I think as well as adding life to the room with a different wall colour, you need to add some textures. But you have a great base to work from - well chosen sofa, floor, fireplace, etc. Great! The colour I would suggest you use in this space is called Sedgemoor by a company called Francesca’s Paints. I know you can’t get them over there in Ireland, but I have posted a picture of a room painted in this shade - perhaps you can get Dulux to colour match if you like it? You could then add a few cushions in natural colours, like dark brown, and possibly something like this from John Lewis: http://www.johnlewis.com/john-lewis-luce-cushion/p519627?colour=Blackberry. I would also add some pattern/texture/interest into the scheme through cushions - I really love the idea of layering up a pile of these, like in the photo on the Heal’s website (also posted): http://www.heals.co.uk/content/ebiz/heals/invt/583041/583041_l1.jpg. Then another thing you could do is add a rug, I would probably go for a textured brown one like this tonal rug from Habitat http://www.habitat.co.uk/mohit-large-brown-tonal-rug-170-x-240cm/rugs//fcp-product/24124. Hope this post has helped! Good luck! x

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.

Hi Orla. I've looked at your ideabook and assume you're happy to stick with the monotone look? I'd look at papering the ŵall behind the bed in Cole and son library panel wallpaper in midnight (pic will follow but it would also look good in a light shade!). The rest of the walls I'd do in a pale but warm grey. Which way does the room face in terms of lights? Go for black bedside cabinets but maybe something with curved lines or round handles against the bed. Either glass bedside lamps with white shades or in a warm metal or pendants hung low over the bedsides, Stick to white bed linen but add a charcoal throw with lots of texture. Choose cushions with different texture and patterns from White through to charcoal. Depending on what flooring you have you could also add a grey textured rug under the bed. I'd go for plain pale-mid grey curtains. If you have the space/budget a patterned black/grey and white chair would look great. I think the key thing is texture for interest so maybe also a large antiqued mirror, a chandelier with a silk drum shade, white flowers etc.