A7 for rd66. Furniture is so bulky and I understand the sentimental value. Unless you want your home to be a museum it might be a case of choosing a few favourite pieces and then letting the rest go. It's hard because there is always a bit of your heritage in each piece but remember every antique piece of furniture carries a story - a bit of history. We all treasure that. You might be able to find a lovely home for some of your grandfather's pieces. For the pieces you don't like or have no value.... you know what I'm going to say.... Some people take photographs of the treasured items, or why not a video? It is a way of keeping the memory and then being able to let go of the piece, whether it's china, glass, furniture or ornaments.

Of course, viewing all the photos has been very helpful in keeping me focused on what I'm trying to re configure or paint or re purchase furniture for. But I think I enjoy the advice section the most. You can click on ALL and view what other folks are struggling with or succeeding with, all over the world, of you can keep it more local to the country you're in. I look for homes or problems that are similar to what I'm struggling with at the time. I can see what they've done right and what they've done wrong. I can read suggestions for changes that I might never come up with myself. I pick up bits and pieces of design, color and style basics that I probably never would otherwise. Sometimes it's nice to know that my problems are no where near as large as some of the things others are dealing with. Then I can feel proud of what I "have" accomplished. I also like to share my success suggestions with others. The very best..... is the before and after section. WOW! It gives me confidence that you really can start with something very blah or even awful and come out with something spectacular. Those posts give me inspiration to keep plugging along. I'll never have a home worthy of a magazine photo, but since I've been viewing HOUZZ, my home has definitely improved and feels more like "my" home.

Hello donned2004, Well you could remove all the things from the hearth.. So it has more space.. Hang the mirror and paint the chimney breast a nice colour to bring the fireplace into full focus.. If you wanted to have an even bigger recess.. you could open the fire out up to the sides of the wooden surround.. So taking out the 30's tiles.. Make sure the lintel is in place or doesn't need replacing and keep the surround it's rather nice.. Remove the current tiled hearth if you chose to open it out more.. and install a flat piece of slate.. So then you would have an open brick recess and a lovely iron basket could sit nicely inside for logs! Another idea to continue into the room.. might be to look at painting the woodwork a colour to compliment any wall colours you have.... Some lovely painted floorboards, or parquet or a natural Jute or Coir flooring if you have not already decided upon something.. : ))

Redoing my dining room which I would love to change into a kitchen family room but kitchen is relatively new hence stuck with renovating just the dining room. Switching from dark wood furniture to a more modern look. I have really a blank canvas but a complete mental block, need some help with picking furniture. Kitchen is a very soft green, livingroom is beige with accents of blue Was looking for modern pictures, colourful rug, and ideas for windows. The dining room has two large windows. Any ideas would be helpful. House is late 18th century, semi listed but modern. There are 4 doors in the dining room all painted white with white skirting boards and wooden floors. Would like a real wooden table, something of a talking point, then can move forward. Any help welcome