So funny! I'm planning to paint the bannister at the new house (TNH) black and am veering towards painting the treads and risers black too... I've been searching for images of black staircases on Houzz and putting them in my entrance hall ideabook. They are few and far between. In your case, I think, with your white walls, maybe the stairs white and the bannister black? (Assuming the white walls continue up the stair walls enabling the b/w contrast.) You've already put black firmly into the equation, adding some more may give more reason for the black rad cab. In my case, there is a very off-centre radiator that could so very easily have been directly opposite the front door in TNH which is rather annoying as it stuffs up the focal point. We are leaving here with every radiator covered with a cabinet - and going to TNH that has loads of radiators ...but no cabinets! Yes, the work ahead is daunting - especially since the area of Ireland we're going to is very basic and not full of DIY resources, etc. I keep thinking I'll paint TNH white - to make things simpler(!) But try as I may colour keeps wandering through my mind! Lovely to be in touch again!

I would suggest taking everything off of your mantel (bar the lanterns), and mounting the mirror above it to the wall - don't have it leaning. The cupboard in the middle of the fireplace really needs moving... if you don't have enough storage in your side board without it then I'd suggest replacing both units for one bigger storage unit. You could also get rid of all your cushions, and replace with some brighter ones and a sofa throw - I would also move your sofa with its back against the window. And as people have said above, the rug is too small for the room, by replacing this for a bigger one it'll bring your space altogether. And lastly, check out Desenio.co.uk for artwork.

I think the room is looking great. I’m useless with colour but I’m seeing purple in your wallpaper and pink for the fire so would try to bring these colours in. I would also add a lamp on the side table and bring in wood for warmth. If this table is too big there’s a smaller one. The only issue with a rug (ignore the one used it was just to help my poor photoshop skills 😂 ) is that the back sofa overlaps the hearth so a rug can’t sit under the feet. If this bothers you, you could layer rugs, could be sheepskins or round rugs etc or just have a small rug in front of the sofa facing the fire with a table on

Thank you to both tamp75 and rinked. i was hoping to utilise the wasted hall space where all the doors are. its a dark area leading to the dining room, WC, and kitchen. in the corner of the utility room is the boiler. so the niche for a basin couldn’t go there as access will be required to the boiler service door. i have wondered if a Wc could go along the wall of the utility room either a joining the study or ajoining the hall. with the door off the hall. is there enough space for this? Also i am not keen on a Macerator so can the Utility plumbing be easily adapted. its such a shame both the family bathroom and downstairs WC are in the middle of the best aspect. the Ensuite is in the area to the side of the house between the dining room and lounge. many thanks for any help.