Alan, great advice above! I'll just add that removing a radiator is a relatively easy job for a plumber - you can even DIY it, just google for instructions. If you decide to keep it and add units under the stairs, then you could either get a mask for the radiator and some narrow shelving above, or get a slightly larger shelf on top of it and use it as an impromptu laptop desk or a breakfast bar (last pic). Or, if you have any significant change left, buy one of those new designer radiators - works great on the wow factor. Last point, if you still want to open up that wall, you could just get something like a transom window or similar to the first photo. https://www.houzz.co.uk/photos/3hr-contemporary-hallway-and-landing-phvw-vp~169564 http://www.houzz.co.uk/photos/12046280/quickswood-eclectic-dining-room-south-east

Wow - what a difference! The whole space looks brighter and more spacious

I’m not sure about white washing the table - I think that would bring another colour of wood into a room that already has several tones of wood; the floor, skirting, architrave, doors, fireplace and cabinets are all slightly different colours and I think if you painted some of these, the whole room would be more unified and the table would blend in. If it was me, I’d paint out the architrave, skirting, fire surround and kitchen cupboard doors to neutralise some of the orange tones. My own house has Victorian parana pine woodwork that a neighbour said the previous owner spent months stripping back. Unfortunately it was very orange (similar to yours). I felt guilty even contemplating painting it, however after 13 years of living with it, I finally painted some of it. (I couldn’t bring myself to do some of the more intricate bits, so still have some 😂). It is now much easier to live with and much easier to choose colours when decorating.

Hi, we did a revamp in our last one. Colour wise is personal preference ie do you prefer darker dramatic colours or want to keep a lighter one? Pastels or simple colours? We gave all the doors a light hand sand and clean with sugar soap to get any grease off and provide a key for the new paint as they were a vinyl wrap door. Then I used Rustoleum kitchen cupboard paint on them (no undercoat needed!) Used it with a short pile roller (not the foam ones) but I got a pack off amazon that had good reviews) and I did 3 coats in thin layers. Was so easy. Trick is to put it on thinly and consistently to avoid any streaks. It dries quickly and you can get it done in one day. We found it easier to take batches of doors off and do each set at a time. Things to watch out for: the matt looks nice but was hard to clean in the darker colour. It showed water stains more so I would go with a satin next time if you go dark. colours look different in different lights so the grey we did looked blue toned sometimes which we liked anyway but you can get samples online from them first. they take a few weeks to full cure so careful not to knock them during this time, although going over them was v easy! Have attached some photos. We actually kept the existing worktop as we chose a colour that complimented it so we didn't have to replace it all! Perhaps thats an idea for you? Otherwise you can get a vinyl wrap for worktops which is the cheapest option. Diy. Have done it myself in a utility and it was fine but not amazing. Companies can come and out do it properly and it's still cheaper than replacing. Alternative is a worktop that sits over your existing one ie its like a thinner top with an edge which slides over your own one. More expensive but is a permanent option.