Thank you so much for your comments. You would not believe how helpful they are and they have really worked to 'unblock' my chaotic thinking. The sofas have arrived this morning - I had a very stressful time watching as the delivery guys had to do a bit of dismantling to get them through the doors. All safely installed now. One of them is perhaps a bit too big for the space really but we are looking at rearranging to make it work. The room does look a bit darker - not helped by the gloomy light this morning - but hopefully that can get sorted with the new decor when it happens. We have had a look at some options for a coffee table with drawers for my partner's 'bruck' (an old Scottish/Orcadian word for junk I think) and I think this might work out well. BTW today he has added eye-drops, selloptape, a battery charger and a pen-knife to the collection of things that need to be at his elbow! As for the flooring ideas. The rest of the ground floor is covered with Amtico, which I really like but I wanted the sitting room to have a cosier, slightly more luxurious feel to it so I am not keen to go for stripped boards or other hard flooring. I will have a good look at the 'naturals', though they do seem a bit 'scratchy' perhaps. I have attached (I hope) a photo of one of the sofas to show the colour. They are rather darker than AJ Interiors suggested in the photo. Any other suggestions for colour schemes/decor would be most welcome. The point that comes through the postings so far is the need to incorporate some natural elements to soften the potential harshness of the scheme so I will focus on this once I have got the fundamentals fixed in my mind. I shall have more questions later on as I am also doing stairs and landing - hope it's OK to pot again. Thanks once more to Minnie et al.

Hello headers13, Looking nice! Not much of a mess at all! Normally I'd suggest the idea of dark chimney breast and lighter walls.. Since you have dark cabinets going in then perhaps consider the other way around.. Usually alcoves are better lighter as they then look further away.. Chimney breast to the fore.. Standing out with a beautiful mirror.... I normally don't recommend shelving in alcoves either.. Just a personal taste.. However.... What about approaching it with the idea of scale colouring.. with dark at bottom and working it's way lighter up the shelves.... So you could have dark chimney breast and dark bottom shelves and gradually take the shades up till you get to a creamy white at the top... Ceilings are really gr8 in Whitening by Little Greene.. It would give it a different feel and this style of painting is really in.... You can do it with walls too, see image... Also to lighten the look of the shelving... consider darker and fuller shelves at the bottom and lighten towards the top... This creates the idea of openness with the shelving, thus giving the fireplace the focal point it deserves... : ))

Hello motocross1, There's a whole lot you can do with such a room.. The main aspect are the height of the room, the fireplace which is the focus and feature of the room and then you have the addition of the french windows.. I think it would be fabulous to have some sort of dual aspect seating arrangement.. like a centrally placed chaise longue that is open or a day bed or something that is facing both the fireplace and the french windows depending on which side you sit.. Painting those cabinet doors to blend with the wall colour means that you can give the fireplace a more subtle frame.. Adding the most amazing mirror would then give it a fabulous finish.. It also reflects the light and the doors opposite.. A chandelier too would be a fabulous addition but something a little unusual. I would then consider two large columns with either a statue or a beautiful vase with expansive fronds situated in front of the little rads either side of the french doors.. An armchair for example situated angled in front of one side or either side of the fireplace.. and a sitting chair in closer proximity to the french doors.. Console on the window side with a large decorative piece or floral arrangements. Or consider an antique desk which would also be a lovely addition to the room. Having a dual aspect so to speak giving the sitter a view of either focal points makes for a perfect sitting arrangement and a statement piece in a room that would compliment it entirely.. With a drop down for example on a chaise longue or as this one is.. Pare with side tables to compliment which can be moved around as and when. :)) Images are a range of period to more contemporary which could be wonderful..

Hi so this is what I had in mind. Although it ideal I think it would be too expensive for now to remove that lone cupboard. So an idea would be; 1. Paint the walls white 2. Paint the cupboards pale grey: http://www.farrow-ball.com/paint/Paint-For-Kitchen-Cupboards 3. Get nice oak laminate floor from Homebase or B&Q 4. It may cost between £200 and £300 to fit the floor with underlay. But totally worth it. 5. Cheap grey sofa (maybe not corner sofa) or second hand sofa, max those dimensions on the plan. I bought two cheap ones from Homebase for our back room and they're totally fine. 6. Farmhouse table with bench / Eiffel chairs 7. Tv bench and side table from ikea 8. If you keep the freestanding fridge paint it with chalkboard paint. http://www.homebase.co.uk/en/homebaseuk/wrust-oleum-black---chalkboard-paint---750ml-125028 I'll post some photos of the sort of look I had in mind.