For a quick, easy and cheap facelift you'll be amazed how far a clean-up alone will go. Jet wash the wall and the driveway setts. Put a lick of paint on the ironwork, black would definitely be good. Brush in fresh kiln-dried sand between the setts. Prune back those sad looking shrubs before they get back into growth, which will be any time now. Don't cut back those firs, they will not grow back and are likely to just die. If you do anything at all with them, get rid and plant something which grows more happily in this country. It's a low definition photo so I can't see the state of the lawn or whether the wall needs re-pointing. Look yourself and treat accordingly. That alone will lift the place sufficiently to give you breathing space. Then you can think through what budget you have left and which of the many ideas available you prefer and can prioritise accordingly. On the other hand, whatever you do will not look good while all that looks scruffy and unloved.

Hi, As a result of people asking how to make home made decorations look high end. MK Designs and I are running a Christmas styling workshop in November at Skandium. We will be making Christmas wreaths, clay tree ornaments and exploring unique ways to personalise your gift wrapping as well as giving styling tips on how to decorate. We thought it would be interesting to see what tips and advice you guys had for how to decorate for Christmas. We are especially interested in how you make DIY decorations look less crafty and more stylish? What are your ideas and tips? We might even include some in the workshop! Here are a few ideas If you are one of those people who wants to learn how to do all of these things, check out the workshop details here. It will be held at Skandium, London on the 12th of November and will be a great way to kick off the festive season!

It sounds like you've got a few great ideas covered already :) Maybe also look at the materials used ie lime plaster, hardwood, chalky paint finishes etc. Choose door furniture, lights and sockets that are appropriate. Would beams suit the style of architecture? Look at deep doors rather than modern ones. I think the interior style will also be important to add character, lots of rugs, art, books etc, maybe mix in a few antiques with new furniture. Lots of texture for cushions, throws etc with traditional window dressings and choose the colour palette based on the scenery? A traditional shaker style kitchen with a natural stone worktop, butlers sink etc . What are the style of windows? Sounds like a fantastic house btw :)

I really really like this house. It looks balanced without symmetry and so if it were mine I would consider a few things. I think that the palate of materials could be tidied up and with the addition of an extra finish could be elevated. So have the roof tiles cleaned, if you are replacing windows match up the division of the apertures top and bottom (I like the cool downstairs window to the right and wish the full length window on the first floor matched it). And some cladding around the front door could help it look more prominent. Tidying the front garden and having a wide path approach the centre of the house could also help signpost the front door. If fund allow you you take it further investigate the following: building out the flat roof over the front door in order to create a grander entrance, for extra grandeur this could be higher than the flat roof that is over the garage door- speak to an architect who has some good examples of mid century houses in their portfolio. Changing the small window by the door for a narrow but full length one will mirror the proportion of the door. Cladding the area around the front door in either a very dark or very light colour (choose dependent on window colour) will help give it prominence. I think that the railing cheapen the exterior. I suspect the flat roof is never used as a balcony so if that is the case then the railing seem redundant, I wonder if they were used to elevate the look of the flat roof but a flat roof done well can look very high end. If this space is used as a balcony talk to your architect about enclosing it with a low wall and railings with horizontal bars. Remember changing the appearance of the front such as the balcony will require planning permission.