Hi I am writing from the middle east and would like to get help with re-doing my drawing/dining room. I like to re do it with a totally new look but am at a loss as to how to place my furniture differently- I always seem to come up with the same arrangement! I favour ethnic/ contemporary/ minimalist. We need at least 2 sets of seating since we always have many guests and regularly have informal meetings of committees where we are members. I need to change the beige main sofa altogether since it is very old (23 years) and has started sagging even after several re upholstering jobs. I don't have the cane sofa anymore- would like to get suggestions for replacing it with something which will give a similar use. I like to keep my chinese dining table and chairs but can change the buffet. The room measures 20 ft x 27.5 ft (6.0 m x 8.30 m ) Has a 2 doors - both on the same, long side of the rectangle , at two extreme ends. The other long side of the rectangle has tall windows, from one end to the other. The short sides are plain walls. The photos are not very good- sorry I hope somebody will be able to help me .. need to re-do it soon since we have a big event in the family coming up within a month. Thank you all in advance

Tsilanko, I would always recommend professional installation where needed. But what I am doing here is suggesting that WHEN you are planning to build or renovate, to consider how your plans will affect you in 20 or 30 years time. Split levels are very hep when you are young. A kitchen 3 steps down at 30 is rarely a problem, but might be a hazard at 60, or, as Marjie1059 suggested, if you break a leg. ... All my parents' homes were terrible for old people. They were forced to move to a bungalow in extreme old sge because the location and design of their home was more suitable for an active young couple with a large family than for an elderly couple with stroke disabilities. I would not want to move again, so my present home has features built in that make ageing in place simpler. Mostly small changes, like grab rails, and lever handles on doors and faucets. A major disability suddenly suffered requires major changes if permanent. I did look at this because it came up in the discussion, but if you look at the heading, Planning for Disability, it means just that. Plan ahead so you don't have to make expensive changes later on. But thank you for your advice, yes, major changes are not in the DIY domain.

If I am having trouble finding a rectangle glass top table I usually order the glass from a local (to the location of my Client) glass shop and then the base from one of my furniture vendors. a dark table with your light chairs should not feel dark given that it is in a room with what looks to be lots of light with the large glass door and side window. I do think the glass would be perfect for the area. What size table are you thinking will fit the best in the space and for your needs?

SJ , With due respect to your personal choices, for a family of 6 this is certainly looking over the top. I would suggest you to cut down the TV units to 2 or 3. You may not need 25 seats for a closely knit family it looks like we are trying to create silos in the home where everyone just sticks to their rooms, with separate baths, accent chairs, study and TV units. I would recommend you to convert the NE bedroom's bath as a common one with entrance from living. You can then do away with powder room. SE bath has a wardrobe inside the bath, I wonder why would you need that. It may not be a ideal placement. Thanks, Nitin CORNERSTONE DESIGNS Bangalore.