Thanks so much everyone - this has been great. Sorry for the lack of response - been flat out!!!! It must be hard for you American guys to work on such old English designs.... The ideas have gradually culminated into what really would look good on the house. Ourfarmhouse - these are absolutely great ideas, and thanks Everything Beautiful for getting the jist and putting the ideas onto the house image - nothing like seeing an actual design on your own home. We've got an architech working on it, and he's keen on the iron-wrought idea... but we're not sure. Basically toss-up with this and Everything Beautiful's design (2 above). Going with a four-pannel door, but would like to incorporate some glass somewhere! Possibly a panel above with the house name engraved on it?? Victoria - absolutely right...! We don't need to sit outside with the weather.......... say no more! Just wanting something to cover yourself while you're unlocking the door. We've also done a tour of the local areas, and found a couple of porches - amazing what you find right on your doorstep! Will attach pics shortly...

Can't you just board over them? NZ & French houses don't have exposed pipework, it's all in the walls as they have timber frame houses. I'd get a builder to build a timber framework and board over the top also boxing in the waste disposal. If you want acess to the waste disposal, you could make it look like a cupboard. Get a few quotes and see what the cost would be, it's probably less than you think.

I just love the details in the Moroccan ceiling ! The problem I feel is the celling is to low but I still would love to decoration around this theme...now Moroccan and Mediterranean are back in high demand ,I was just looking for some tiles to my kitchen and the hydraulic Moroccan theme are the most beautiful ones with a modern twist ...I would have mirrors and a open plan kitchen all white with details in color like your beautiful art ...I saw some pics but I will try to show in here as I am not very good in this things...

Hello Maria, It's an interesting room actually and firstly my suggestion is to paint the orange white as a base. You can then gauge light levels more easily which would then inform you as to how to treat the room. Removing the balustrade completely opens the room as the steps and split level arrangement can still denote separation.. Which you can use accordingly either by situating sofa or perhaps a console and then sofa or even just a console or low cabinet here with something decorative on it.. ... Viewing the back of a sofa or low piece with something lovely like a vase and floral arrangement or something decorative is a rather nice way to introduce if you like, another area of a room and give it a sleeker form of separation if that is required.. I also rather like the idea of having a more open split level arrangement.... Perhaps consider a fire that you can use.. Look into flueless fires as an alternative.. OR possibly even a small black wood burning stove with a twin wall flue. There are options you can research and look into which I think could be nice.. Store a pile of logs underneath the space is ideal. If you want to lighten the floor consider rugs and other layers here that can really be used as a basis for your design.. Placing the sofa facing the fireplace is really an idea focal point.. with armchair opposite angled towards the sofa and fireplace.. It could be a 3 seater with a matching square foot stool which you can sit at one end to create a chaise longue arrangement for something less formal.. Another idea I like is to have again a sofa facing the fireplace and then possibly two chairs with a small table in between at the side with their backs to the sliding door, but in a way that means they don't block the view or flow of the room.. Try things out and see what works for you and the room... You want to keep flow through the space and decorate as 1 space even if the rooms are functioning separately.. Layering colour is an ideal way to decorate and add texture. Situating a flat screen in a cabinet is a nice way to hide the tv as it's not what you want people to focus on when they come to your home.. So perhaps take out the shelving entirely in favour of a cabinet that could house the screen when you want to watch a film etc. There are really some fantastic elements to your new home- the rads are fantastic and I do like the fireplace.. I think you could make this fabulous.. Add textural and warm coloured elements to the sofa arms etc.. I can see earthy and warm tones with rich luxuriant additions.. such as cushions, throws and large floral arrangements for coffee table or side tables to add interest and finish the space .... :))