Agree with Oneplan about the glazed porch so you don't lose light, think you should let her draw up elevation plan for builders. Agree with people telling you to play up the asymmetry. Also think you should have a tame( not rampant) flowering climber up the posts around the porch. Something that tolerates shade. If has thorns may discourage kids climbing up on porch roof.

If the paint has too much texture a lighter colour will attract dirt and dust in time. Have a look at nearby properties to see which colours fair best in local weather conditions.

Hi again! For anyone that's interested, I have finally managed to have a go at my varnished stone fireplace and am pretty happy with the results… It's not perfect but makes a huge difference in terms of light in the room and cost me next to nothing! I used a tiny bit of annie sloan paint to dull and lighten the stone - my mum sent me leftovers of 'paris grey' that she had used on some furniture. The link I had found which described the painting process belonged to an artist, so I was aware that my results would differ quite drastically from hers, but I'm still happy! I also had a new mantlepiece made from old planks that my boyfriend has had stashed away for years - a carpenter we often use put it together for the equivalent of about US$10. We don't own the house so I haven't waxed the paint on the stone (meaning it can be washed off with water and a light scrub) and the new mantlepiece is literally slotted on top of the old one and discreetly screwed in place. It is no huge home improvement project but made a big difference to the feel of the room using minimal time, money and mess… Now just the rest of the room to decorate…!

The rest of the house is nearly restored and we are down to one of the final stalling points, what to do with the main fireplace. I've attached some better photos. Since taking them I have made a start on stripping it back. I've removed all the old fabric from one of the chairs and sanded a section back. The dark finish is not ingrained in the wood so sands of relatively easily. I'm thinking I may as well have a go at painting it before my wife makes me take it out! Its not the main living room so we won't be using the room very often. Therefore I don't think it matters that it's not really practical.