Hi, thanks for your comment. I totally agree - I actually have a large art print on order (vertical/ portrait orientation) and that will be replacing the mirror when it arrives. From previous comments I received everyone seems have different opinions on sofa choices but I think I'm pretty happy with the L shape one I've gone with - it fits the space a lot better (I think!) than the 3 & 2 seaters I previously had. I contemplated going with a different lighter sofa colour but practicality won in the end!

This is attractive: This is a bit daring: but it would work if you repeated the green. I like the color of the ceiling in this space: The walls in are

Adding more detail to my earlier comment, I don't like that equal or even heavier page weight is given to questions a user may have regarding some photo and a brand new feature story. There is no separation between the "shop Houzz" and the so-and-so liked a picture or added it to an ideabook. I don't really care whether someone I don't know added a picture to their ideabook or asked a question about a photo but I would like to see the new stories that Houzz writers have done. Not many people have the time, energy or will to go through so much effort to find those new stories that have so many times given so much information to Houzzers. Please stop trying to fix things that aren't broken. All these changes are taking away the uniqueness of what we all loved about Houzz in the first place.

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.