We've fallen in love with a 1990s house because it has so many great features - big, solid, spacious, sweeping lawns, old trees. But, as was popular back then, it has so much timber, everywhere! Soaring cathedral ceilings, polished wooden floors, bathroom vanities, kitchen cupboards, breakfast bar etc are all so woody, and shiny varnish to boot. Now, I love timber in a house, but there's just so much. I would hate to paint it, and it would be a huge job anyway. The vendor is an older single man, and everything, apart from timber is dark blue - feature walls, carpets in bedrooms, upholstered furniture, rugs. There's also a roofed veranda running around the house, which has glassed sections above the windows, but still makes it a bit dark. I'm trying to think of how to lighten the rooms, and would appreciate some thoughts, o wise ones. Obviously replacing furniture and painting feature walls ligther colours, replacing heavy curtains with floaty linen, lots of palms in rattan pots, mirrors. Anything else that would help to make it lighter and more modern? Thanks!