I’ve just had the same issue and I opted to get all walls plastered then sanded down to give completely smooth walls. They were then painted and the finish was excellent. I paid for tradesmen to do all of this as I wouldn’t have achieved such a quality finish.

Thanks everyone, this is so helpful!!! Dundrum that made me chuckle. I will stick to my guns but sadly the retailers have an aversion to pistachio. Went round huge Next home store today, tonnes of curtain fabric options in all colours except pistachio!!! Grrrr! Thank you again Man about House, I will persevere and I covet your curtains!!! I think I may well get the original rug you found! Thanks Laura will also look at French Connection, who would have thought! The parquet floors are from 1962 and I am chuffed to bits how they have come up, waited 3.5 years to do them! Angie and celery girl, very good points re rug size, my last Ikea one was definitely in the "not this" category!! Thanks also for the image celerygirl, I like the poufs very much but the trouble is the room is Lshaped and the walkway goes past them Any views on the coffee table dilemma everyone? As for brown sofa wish could replace asap. Would you believe someone gave me a beautiful South African wood sideboard and I kept it for a few years until eBaying it for a pittance! I even tried it in the space, see pic, yikes, I thought it was too dominant but maybe not....!

That's interesting, Alice, thanks. The rug we have is a silk patchwork one and it's very thin. It was bought for a different house, and has always been too small for this room. Now that the interior walls have come down, I think it could look like a postage stamp! It makes sense to put it under the coffee table as that's a defined space, so before I give up on it, I'll try it again with the rest of the furniture. I'm sure the cats will love it, even if I don't!

Love the sofa. A nice statement colour! I would work well would be some neutrals to give the sofa its moment. But a rug/ accessories that will complement the other bits of furniture in the room. with browns and golds. I would recommend a rug that has texture but plainer and lighter to open up the room a bit. But also a curtains something that is softer and bright and light as well. of a more airy and delicate nature over some blackout blinds. Or this one here With a slightly different textured rug but still plain and white. I hope this helps. Best, Sharon Dixon Interior designer