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 .... :))

We have a unit, which completely envelops the whole TV, which means you can make it an attractive feature by putting nice objet d'art on and around it. You can't see any cables either!

TV above Fireplace - solving the neck ache! This month, we will be importing a new dynamic TV mount, that is specifically designed to easily lower TV's that are fitted above a fireplace/protuding mantelpiece for comfortable viewing. The target UK price for the slim mount unit will be £599 including the ability to swivel it left and right (see photos attached). This solution is also ideal for moving the TV away from toddlers when not in use! Please also click on the two video links below (highlighted in green): Comfortable TV viewing for TV's above fireplaces Installer review of "down and out" mount over Fireplace TV Framing Regarding aesthetics, we regularly use local framing companies to put a custom frame, chosen by the client, around the TV. We combine this "picture frame look" with the connection of an AppleTV to display high resolution paintings or photos on the screen when they're not using it as a TV. Mirror TV If you have the budget we offer a special TV mirror bonding service, which is much less expensive than dedicated "MirrorTVs". We bond a special swiss manufactured glass onto the face of the TV, which behaves like a mirror when the TV is turned off. There are two finishes - "antique mirror" which is quite dark when the TV is turned off, but offers an excellent low amount of reflectivity when the TV is turned on (see picture below). The alternative is our "modern mirror" glass which is almost the same as a real mirror, but relatively reflective, so requires the lighting in the room to be dimmed when viewing the TV. The Pleasure Home - MirrorTV Example Project

Hi guys, thanks for the replies. Impressive memory Jonathan, but yes the plans have of course changed. The room above is now going and it will be a vaulted double height living space! I think your picture of the tv by the side of the fireplace might have to be the approach, but perhaps on the extended fireplace and angled into the room rather than wall mounted. The opposing windows are south facing so the sun moves across the sky directly outside for most of the day, it is probably high enough to not shine directly on the tv opposite but will make the windows a bright reflection!