Thanks very much for all the comments, very helpful. I like the idea of curtains with colour in it.. Would you paint the cabinet white? Or just get rid of the wooden furniture and replace with light grey furniture? I have real hardwood doors similar to the colour of the window surround so don't know how it will look if I paint all the surrounds etc? I agree with the picture rail, we will be removing..we have a plasterer coming out to quote us on plastering all the walls/ceiling. Thanks!

Brilliant, thank you both. I'm a little concerned - RED Interior Design - that three may distract from our antique lights over the fireplace. I've attached a little more of the room for you to see. There's a lot going on, what with the kitchen light in the background and the funky blue tiles around the fire! Should I just stick with one larger one?

So your suggesting wall lights and lamps only. No recessed spots or led strips along beams? We will be having tv unit in alcove furthest from window and a sofa facing fireplace just placed in front of doors on either side. The other half of the room will be a dining area temporarily. Will wall lights be enough and how many? I prefer symmetry in my rooms also. The ceiling to floor is approx 7ft. I’ve read to make a room look higher than it is uplighters are best is this so? If our plans work out the dining area will eventually turn into a quiet area with comfy chairs bookcase etc. My husband is not a fan of wall lights says it restricts you if u want to change furniture around. I love them but with a low ceiling I am unsure how high up they should be not just for best lighting but for furniture arrangement and if they are on a wall where u walk could be an obstacle? I have also posted about my spiral staircase but I put it in the topic design dilemmas but it is about lighting also.

Good job on the tiled wall. However I'm not a fan of the TV above fireplace. Doesn't it make your neck sore? I would prefer a painting above the fireplace.