Hi serge11 – have you had a good search around the Houzz photo library? There are more than 5 million images to browse and the search function is easy to use, so for example you can search for '70s house' and then subdivide by searching under the 'exterior' tab. I really like cladding and love this, though it's very American I found it in this general search, which has heaps of relevant images to browse through: http://www.houzz.co.uk/photos/exterior/1970s-exteriors- Click to enlarge one of the images, and then you can flick through them as a slideshow, using arrows on the right hand side of each image. I'd love to see what you do, I'm a big 70s house fan and live in one myself...

Would it be possible to take down the wall between the kitchen and the unsued space and extend the kitchen out a bit? Or if not, put in an internal window sized opening with a counter top, barstools one side and worktop and cupboards on the kitchen side. Kitchen planners are usually free, I'd get them to look at what you can do with your space and even if you cant afford to do the kitchen now, at least you know what you can do with the space and work around that idea to get a long term picture. If you want to leave the walls as they are, how about buying a 6 cube IKEA Kallax Unit and putting it beside where you first walk in to create a small divider between the entrance and the dining room. As they are open shelving, it will still let the light through but create the illusion of a proper entrance way. You could even put the unit longways, so it is low and have a row of indoor plants along the top. Restaraunts often have to work with a large open space and make the illusion of entrance ways and separate areas so its worth keeping that in mind when you're out and about!

Thank you it is really cosy, better than what it was when we moved in, a bit cold and unloved!

We’ve lived in this house for years and have never touched the outside! Please can you give me some ideas, particularly regarding the porch area. I have no idea what to, I think just some sort of canopy over the front door but no clue on styles or designs. Door and windows will remain. Any suggestions gratefully received, thanks.