With your original pictures - I agree with larger rug. But I don't agree with comments suggesting the rooms are monochromatic. They are lively indeed. I think you are just missing some accessories! Art work on the empty walls - even just a single large dramatic piece is in order. In the bedroom on the white wall, in the living space behind the sofa, in the greenish bedroom behind the two beds. Those are instant areas where you can improve. But I think your spaces are lovely and well put together. Also I agree with the comment about table lamps - some of those would really add something, and your coffee table looks so empty - maybe just one gorgeous bowl, or stack some books. These rooms are 90% done in my opinions, just need a few finishing touches. Some of my rooms come out like this because the clients are not willing to pay for those last few finish items or feel they can do that part themselves...

A thick concrete wall can keep your house cool. Steel will make your house hot unless you insulated the walls well. Insulated walls don't work very well in a flood zone. When they get wet, you need to tear them apart. You will need concrete for the foundation most likely unless you are driving steel pylons. There is probably a combination of the two that will suit your needs best. It would be helpful to know what you want to achieve by using steel. There are advantages to both. Steel floors can be cantilevered further. It is easier to make bigger window openings. Floor and roof spans can be lighter and quicker to build with steel, but the roof will get hotter and therefore need good insulation and need to be well ventilated. These are just general assumptions of certain building practices so that you know what to ask people where you live. The practices and resources vary from place to place and building something for a specific purpose can change the benefits of one material or the other. My best guess is that you will probably want to use both.

Since we are only able to see a small portion of the entrance the only suggestion I have is to paint the wall. The creepers might be a nice addition but I think paint would really make the wall and your plaques stand out.

1. Keep only what you need or want and avoid duplicates. Ahh. if only life were only that simple. You move in together with a "relationship" and your partner's "stuff" is "nicer" so you sell everything. Well, ladies and gentlemen, if it doesn't work out, if it wasn't "yours" before you moved in you'll have nothing when you move out. Consider all options. Store items of "yours" for a while that you'd like to keep, just in case. :) Store Grandma's antiques that you like that you may regret selling. If you Hate the antiques, sell them. 2. If your new abode is only YOURS.,,.keep only what you love and eliminate duplicates.