Actually neutral rooms are very classy :) And adding a hand-knotted New Zealand wool carpet such as the one I've pictured would add a lot of coziness and ground the space, while complementing your striped chair. Small accents of colour can be added in artwork and on new sofa cushions. The fireplace makes a bold statement in the room, which could be compromised by giving the walls equal weight with bold colour. I understand that this is your family room, where you will be relaxing at the end of a long day and watching television. Therefore a calm, relaxing (yes, neutral!) colour scheme will achieve that. The charcoal grey drapes I described above should have lining, and they will add to the warmth of the room at night so you're not looking at cold black glass that's reflecting the room back to you. The colour scheme you have now is actually very nice--it just needs punching up a little with additions such as I described.

May I suggest since you are going to be weed fighting for a time, that you cut a curving path or track to place dg over gravel on with a border, and rake in native wildflower seed after the next rain - see if you have a native plant society and phone to ask who is the commercial restoration seed supplier in your region ( it will be lovely things like lupine, lacy whites, ) They will have a stock mix for your area and that will bring you some simple loveliness whilst you determine more long term goals . .. the larger elements provide some nice shelter and enclosure here . . . possible you would want to go up the slope to where you've a nice view and make a larger area (again, using edge or pavers for edge, put down gravel then decomposed granite or chip seal (local term here, sorry) - something that will drain and provide a destination for a short ramble eventually, you might plant a garden along the way from here to there .. . don't tear anything out that is established . . as with trimming it will give you a mix of sizes so you can layer in the garden

Okay..... I've been having fun! I've attached the links below for some ideas but my best advice is go onto www.notonthehighstreet and look at their cushions and bedding etc. A theme would be good. Is there something they both like such as animals or circus or are you looking for something for them to grow with? What colours do they like? Is your boy extremely boyish (no pink mum!), is your girl fussy or strongminded? (my 2 year old is!)If you can find one thing that you really like and they both do too then it gives us a starting point. I'm thinking along the lines of plain bedding, a matching cushion on each bed in bright multicolours or an animal and then another cushion and throws to blend with the feature cushion. Artwork could be their names in letters (hobbycraft do brown ones that you can paint) or maybe even wall decals. A plain or multicoloured rug on the floor to match the theme. http://www.diy.com/departments/colours-cleo-multicolour-spot-rug-l17m-w12m/181996_BQ.prd# http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/3568570.htm http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/2880259.htm http://www.notonthehighstreet.com/ideahomeco/product/recycled-cotton-rag-rug-by-nordal http://www.notonthehighstreet.com/thefairground/product/personalised-quilt http://www.notonthehighstreet.com/frogsandsprogs/product/rainbow-chevron-baby-blanket http://www.notonthehighstreet.com/feltsogood/product/handmade-felt-multicoloured-ball-cushion Let me know how you get on!

maybe have a look at planting laurel trees ,if you fix heavy gauge chain link fence to the timber fence 1st and then plant the laurel keep topping the laurel and it will get tick on bottom ,then let it grow to hight you like .