A belated THANK YOU to everyone who commented. This is the final result. We're super happy with it. Room A north facing "through-lounge" in a new build, 3 bed semi detached house Paint Walls: Purbeck Stone, Farrow & Ball Ceiling: Strong White, Farrow & Ball By the way, the room isn't as long and skinny as it looks in the photos. Painting it all one colour actually made it feel much, much larger. We were really impressed with the quality of advice the F&B staff gave us in regards to colour. We loved Purbeck Stone from the minute we saw it, and being brave really paid off.

I love how you've kept the character alive in a tasteful eclectic mix. I think you may like a splash of colour in the bathroom by adding a canvas roman blind in a bold teal with a coordinating runner rug and some luxurious towels. A wall mounted rack for folded towels above the loo, will interrupt the monotone of the wall as may a plant or some. Also some woven floor baskets or quirky toiletpaper or magazine container to add interest.

Will you have a sofa in the area where the ironing board now is? If so, I'd have a rug there and one behind the island, depending on whether you or not you wear shoes or slippers inside. I always wear socks indoors (no shoes or slippers) and have a tiled floor without underfloor heating in the kitchen. So I like standing on a rug whilst cooking. Softer and warmer. But you may find you don't need that, in which case I'd keep the floor bare between fridge and island and perhaps use a rug under the dining table.

Interesting discussion Lynn. Your dilemma is similar to what I am pondering on at the moment for my house which made me pull out an old design book. As human beings we have a psychological need for shelter and safety. This is the principle of ‘refuge and outlook’. Per the book “ In a truly comfortable house, the inhabitants will feel sheltered and safe.... The core of the experience is to be able to comfortably observe the outer world from a position of relative security. Usually, the refuge is at a higher position and is enclosed and dark, the outside look is normally below, unenclosed and lighter. At its simplest we are outside looking out..”. Based on this I agree with the suggestions above that you should frame the window. I think it is the full glass wall all the way to the floor that is eliciting the unsettling feeling. So 1. yes put a bench in front of the window or better still build in a more permanent structure eg open shelving/cabinetry with a seating on top. Or Could you possibly put railing across the back of the window on the outside? This will still let light in but give it a sense of security. Consider adding some trim to the window to frame the view?. 3. Paint the room a bit darker to make it feel enclosed. If only I could take my own advice! I have an L-shaped dining room and I am thinking floor length glass doors all round will look stunning! However I am also thinking of how I would feel sitting there at night and so considering a half wall with windows instead - not as stunning but more comfortable? 😉. Still looking for the win-win scenario so ideas welcome. 😁