Ok - so you want a dark carpet - professionally, I wouldn't do a dark carpet because it shows more than a light carpet. There are yellows, blues, chocolates and grey toned carpets - to keep your space light, while going about the same darkness as your green (which is as dark as I'd go in your rooms) I'd go with chocolate (beige) carpet. Keeps it light, while being able to be a bit darker. Add texture to help with overall look - tone on tone would be best for you.

I agree, dark is worst than light color for a carpet. If you get a carpet that has some color variances, spots won't show as much. What about a shade of grey? You could add just about any other color, depending on your preference, to the wall. Paint the rad the same color as the wall to make it less visible, or cover it. Extend your curtain rod to the full width (and length) of the wall to make the window look bigger. Love the fireplace, but paint the brass- black.

Marie, thanks for your advice. I like the carpet you have in your pictures of the Caritas Residential (grey one), is this tone on tone? I was thinking of painting one of the walls red and keeping the rest as a neutral colour but dont know what to do with the chimney breast, also what colour sofas would work with these colours? Any advice would be much appreciated.

Donna, I like the idea of a grey carpet and think the idea about the curtain rail is a brilliant idea, i will definately do that. how would you reccommend covering the rad? Thanks for your help, this is my first house and need all the advice i can get.

Hi stuart290882, I have seen carpets with light color that show dirt just as bad as dark color ones. The key is the kind of stain treatment it had in the factory.

As for radiator covers, it's typical to use wood to build around them with enough circulation opening for air flow.

I have attached a design scheme for your room just to see what is possible.

Hi Marie here, Yes, the carpet looks like tone on tone because they have sculpted a simple pile carpet with shapes. This has a swirl pattern to it. It is made locally - but I am positive your local carpet supplier would have something like this its called "3071 Tapestry Tapis Richmond Carpet Chromolon-Velour." Comes in many different "earthy" shades. I call the colours earthy because it has warm undertones to all the shades. I think you would enjoy that the most.

Regarding red in your space - I'd add applique (or wainscotting) to keep your room from getting too dark - painting above the wainscotting your red that would be pulled out of toss cushions fabric to accent and pull the room together. The two photos attached first one is more funky and fun. See how they have a very dark carpet, but they've added an area rug to the carpet to bring in pattern - fun way to add texture. Or, a more traditional setting with a beige carpet. See how the wainscotting in both rooms adds light, keeping it bright. I also love dytectures reference to your radiator cover - if you can, add more of a ledge so you can perch a nice vase of flowers, or photos of family, the one above is pretty narrow and would be best used for tight spaces. Good Luck, send me more photos or let me know your progress -

Thanks very much to both of you, some great ideas there. i look forward to starting my new project and will post some pictures when i have finished. Cheers