HI -- I like the red wall but I think the whole room in that would be too much. So right now you need to cut down the contrast of the red wall . Paint a light cream tan on the other walls and also on the ceiling but leave the crown the same color. This will tone down the red and accent the crown molding. You could also use a blueish grey in the same way. Or you could also use a grey with a hint of lavender . Get some color sample cards or pots (benjamin moore paints). Get an idea of the color before you paint the whole area.

If you want privacy at the front of your home to stop people to seeing in, then you could either change your gates to completely enclosed the area and have a CCTV system set up so visitors can alert you when they arrive. Or preferably, you could separate the two drives by erecting a fence between the two garage doors and plant a nice tall hedge 3/4 of the way along the front boundary to obscure the view of the main house. You could then reverse round the hedgerow and park the car at an angle so it is partially obscured by the hedgerow, with CCTV and security lights shining down from the top of the garage to give you peace of mind. It would be lovely to remove the gates and be able to look out of your front door and see the hedgerows, and they would also help to muffle the sound of the traffic

Have been thinking about changing my tiles to a matt creamy colour throughout as tiles in bathroom cream, in kitchen terracotta, on balcony white and in lounge and hall the rusty colour marble which is beginning to show signs of wear and tear. I know some people would find this charming but I don't! I want to modernise the whole flat, opening up the kitchen and lounge area. I have in mind floor to ceiling cupboards and an island in the kitchen area and sofa etc in the lounge area which could be divided by the island running parallel to the sofa. Playing with ideas at the moment. Work isn't due to begin till October 2015. Have been looking at white units and white sofas but don't want it to look too clinical. I like the idea of different colours in the bedrooms. I hadn't thought of that! Please keep your ideas coming in as I need all the help I can get.

So much potential! The style to go for here is industrial & eclectic! Outhouse rooms - I'd use the outhouse rooms for storing your gardening equipment & bike cleaning gear. I'd get some cheap shelves from IKEA for storing stuff on. Bikes - You could get some hooks to hang your bikes on and use them as 'art' in your dining area, hang them in a symmetrical order, keep them clean and make retro signs up for whose bike goes on what hooks. Colours - I'd paint the blue doors and the back of the roller door in a soft charcoal grey. The floor I would paint in a dark charcoal as painting concrete makes it easier to sweep out. The green is already your main accent colour and is very fitting for an outdoor space. Wheelie bins - these are generally smelly so I'd keep them in the outhouse rooms and get some bin deodorizer. Or keep outside, you can get some great covers which your partner could make up - http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Woodside-Wooden-Outdoor-Wheelie-Bin-Cover-Storage-Cupboard-Screening-Unit-/201382140841?var=&hash=item2ee34f9ba9:m:mZlO8F0159y-uvQzZoux_Cg Washing - Get your partner to make up some clothes airers like these - http://pulleymaid.com/classic_clothes_airer.htm Table - I'd keep this in front of the window and pull into the middle of the room when friends are over. Buy a mix of different vintage wooden stools or chairs to give an eclectic industrial look Pots - I'd keep the plants to a couple of well looked after large tubs and keep either side of the roller door. These could be on moveable trolleys so they're easy to move if necessary. Finishing Touches - This is the fun part! Some rustic candelabras for the table, outdoor wall clock with Roman numerals, artwork could be a collection of vintage street signs, string of outdoor lights wrapped around the beams (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/37-5-Foot-S14-Outdoor-Globe-String-Lights-Set-of-25-S14-Clear-Edison-Bulbs) These are just some ideas - have fun & enjoy!