I would start with her bedroom, that's the area she wil rest. Keep it neutral and and peaceful. Make the curtains cheerful that will be the first thing she'll see when she wakes up. A four feet bed will be comfortable for her and find out how much it will cost to raise the bed ...at a certain age it is more comfortable to get in and out of. Table lamps which by a touch will light up a big alarm clock... Older people always want to know the time! Two bedside tables. Soft carpet for her feet and a big collage on the wall with photos of her family. I would get rid of the wardrobe is is so huge and if you look on your local ebay and put you postcode in you will be able to get a good bargain. Look for a comfy chair too with a floorlight for reading. If space a nice little table (local ebay) will make it complete. Your mum prefers her wall painted but again a roll of cheerful wallpaper for one wall in her bedroom will make it special for her. Try to get rid of all the clutter like those two shopping trolleys perhaps in a cupboard in the hall? I have done a lot of houses up on a shoestring and it is a challenge but can be so satisfying. One thing I have learnt ....ALWAYS finish one room completely before going on to the next room. It helps when you feel a bit down about the project and one look in the finished room gives one a big boost to continue!!! Good Luck.

Hi, If you use an iPad you could download the free Dulux Visualizer app to look at different colours - it's quick and easy (but lighting conditions have to be good) For a cost effective transformation I would have to agree with you and most of the comments by painting the Front door, garage doors and windows of the house. (Use a good primer/undercoat like Zinsser external - shellac or oil based) I would advise all matching colours for a uniform country home feel. The olive green or light green looks nice. For the driveway you could go resin bound which is available in a variety of colours now and lasts much longer than Tarmac with far greater osmosis. Again adding the private home country estate feel at a reasonable price. Rendering comes in various colours (although it is costly) if within your budget will totally transform the look and feel adding to the thermal insulation. And most definitely some easy care, low maintenance plants and planters... You don't have to spend mega bucks! Although probably a good time for discounted evergreens? Good luck Edward eDECO

For me the space between the kitchen and dining area is too large and wasted. Personally I would rather have a bit of a move around and have a larger study. Personally I prefer what I have done as in your plan there didn’t seem to be enough kitchen cabinetry for the size of house- if the French door placement is not dictated to by windows above I would probably move them to be compatible with your anticipated kitchen layout. Skylights- if it is a pitched roof the kinda have to look ok with other windows. If it’s a flat roof then it’s important to get the inside look right. Personally I would choose long think windows an place them nearer the main house rather than in the middle of the room which messes up where you might put pendant lights over an island or a dining table.

There’s an eBay seller called modernancient who has mostly mid century stuff. You can also just search eBay for 1950s furniture or 1960s furniture and that will bring up you loads of midcentury items. Also worth looking at your local auction house, our local one has masses of mid century furniture every week.