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

I'm not qualified to advise you on textured paint, but as far as colour is concerned, surprisingly, red can work with a very wide range of colours. I suggest you click http://www.houzz.com/photos/query/red-sofas/nqrwns and browse to look for possibilities. A lot depends on what else you want to have in the room and whether, for instance, you're looking for a dramatic effect or a warm effect. Have fun browsing.

hello, well firstly, is it possible to change the location of the TV unit? if so...the living room can be easily moved near the main entrance and the dining area can be near the balcony. if not, as you rightly suggested, the dining table can be placed near the main entrance. depending on the overall interior style of your residence many room separators are available in the market or can even be customised as per your preferences (eg. hanging or floor screens, beaded Curtains, water wall, book shelf, vertical garden, blinds, stained glass partitions, wine holder dividers, shoji screens, photo display partition...the possibilities are endless). you also create some funky wooden distressed partitions like louvred screens. hope this helps. cheers!

@Nitin : One more thing is where to keep washing machine. if basin counter occupies the 4ft wall , then I will be forced to keep the washing machine on the 5ft wall side.