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!

We may not share artistic values but we do share one good thing... love and our life together - he's simply your typical man who loves to lounge around even when covered in dirt! We may have completely different ideas for our home but he is a good egg :) Anyway I do believe we have found common ground... surprisingly he really likes my idea of using grey with bright colours. We have agreed that as long as I stop forcing him to endure flamingos or similar, he will put up with me buying vintage and completely unnecessary furniture. He's said I can do whatever I want with those awful armchairs... WIN! I think we are going with man friendly greys meets pops of colour/vintage. It's pay day next week and I simply can't wait any longer!! Having said that... some ideas for what style of vintage and arrangements will be wonderful! Here is the photo from my kitchen door - anything attached to the walls were already there from the previous residents and will be removed... such as the mirror which isn't in line with that hideous folding table and the strange religious wall in the corner.... plus the half finished wallpaper on the chimney breast lol. x

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 .... :))

help needed buying the proper lamps to enhance this room. Also desperately need floor lamp. Prefer plain style with black shade. Garden home very small room.