Front room for me! we have three rooms opened into one large living space, this is great when you have a large family. I still say front room, but mainly to describe the location of say my book or glasses if I'm am asking somebody to fetch them for me. It makes for a quicker find :)

Hi Thank you for the feedback - it is really useful. The room is very large - the photograph only shows a small section, which unfortunately doesn't feel cosy. I have panelling around the rest of the room but wanted this wall to be a feature. Clearly not the right thing to do. I am going to zone off the stairs and add a mock chimney breast as I feel this will create a more comfortable living space. Donna

The room is in good shape and it appears to be only cosmetic changes that are needed, so I would consider simplifying the whole design as follows: · Paint: You mention grey as one of your preferred colours, so I would try a sample of either Farrow or Ball’s Elephant’s Breath paint or Strong White to see what looks best sits best in the room. Both are contemporary favourites but will flatter the space and alter the atmosphere. Otherwise, aim for off-whites with a creamy, yellow tone to encourage warmth. · Furniture: Purchase furniture with legs to encourage the flow of light and space but if possible do not block the lovely elongated windows. Add a feature Chesterfield ottoman to centre the room and soften the new space. · Window treatment: Instead of curtains, I would actually use sheer voiles across the windows and have Roman blinds in place for the colder evenings to enhance the sumptuous, traditional feel. · Pieces: Add a large timeless mirror above the fireplace to bounce light around the room and maintain that area as the focal point. · Lighting: Work with illuminating the light through the room not only via a pendant light (consider a glass chandelier here) as this will only provide task lighting. You also want to aim for ambient lighting via glass base lamps in the corners and free standing tall lamps. · Soft furnishings: Apply hints of mustard and teal into the soft furnishings such as the cushions will complement the tones from the parquet flooring.

Thanks folks. I like the idea of dark green and dark grey and agree that pictures could look great against them but I wonder if the darkness might become wearing over time - but I do have another room where I have used William Morris 'seaweed' paper in plum/brown colours (ish) between the skirting and picture rail and it does have a strong contemporary feel next to the white and I do love it. I have considered colours like F&B 'arsenic' and even ochre/yellow suit but am not sure how long I would enjoy them for. I think it would help if I decided what paintings were going to be in there but I'm a way off that decision. In contrast I have also been looking at F&B pink ground and similar as lighter warmer options as their are some peachy pinks in the painting that is definitely staying. I can move sofas inwards but there position in the room is unchangeable due to their size and the Bay window. My instinct is to remove the 2 chairs in the Bay and replace them with a pair of semi upholstered occasional chairs to soften the space. Thanks for all advice- v much appreciated.