Hi Robin, Lovely room - I love the wall colour and bookcase! How much of the bookcase does the leather sofa block? I used to have a sofa against a bookshelf and while I grew used to it it did annoy me a bit with the wasted/hard to access shelf space! You could rearrange the furniture in the room so that the leather sofa had its back to the radiator and the seating area was in more of an L-shape rather than with the sofas opposite each other, and then put a rug/layered rugs down (which always looks nice on floorboards, at least I think!). In terms of what to do above the fireplace - I like the idea of hanging a big artwork, or photographs, or you could hang a large mirror, or both a mirror and artwork!

You like the idea of a feature wall, so take the advise from those who listened to you and replied with feature wall ideas, there are some really nice and a bit different wood effect wall papers, that would look good above and then just extended about 24" either side of your fire place, also the mirror could be just a little higher, the family photos you have would be better placed above the unit that your lamp is on, also pulled away from the corner about 3ft, your other wall art would look great placed above your sofa, but not the 2 flower one's, maybe try placing them one above the other on a narrow wall, and have your foot stall/pouffe underneath with a couple of cushions, almost creating a reading nook, good luck with what ever you choose to do

The more I think about it the more I think that a two storey extension would be uneconomical because to make this a four bed you would have to change every room. In conclusion I think that you should do the following: Build the single storey extension you want behind the living room because the back wall is flat here it will be easier to achieve a seamless look (unlike the kitchen end). You then have the choice of having the new room off the lounge or my preference which would be to have a two rooms with doors off the Hallway- one small at the front and a big room at the back. Utility room- you could extend into the garage- however a family saloon car is only two feet smaller than the current garage and so you shouldn't make the garage just a little too small for its intended purpose and you shouldn't spend money to only gain two feet- I think you should replan the utility instead- stack the dryer on top of your washer and get rid of the sink so there is room for your freezer. Ensuite- it seems to make sense to make your existing ensuite into a dressing room corridor to a new ensuite above the garage- you have talked about a dormer but I think that this would be particularly unattractive but I imagine the is room for an ensuite that is at least the size of your current room. I roof window such as a velum would be more discrete than a dormer

Thanks for your reply Jonathan and thanks for previously suggesting we move the stairs, we had never even considered moving the stairs before. what are your thoughts on leaving the kitchen where it is in the photo and putting the sitting area where the architect has put the kitchen. we don't want a fussy kitchen but do need quite a few cupboards and workspace, I am quite messy so need storage. We don't need a large table. we were originally going for as much glass doors on the back as we could, but are now thinking we lose to much wall space. The kitchen at the moment feels cold and uninviting, definitely don't want the modern glossy feel, want more of a traditional cosy room. Is that possible in open plan?