Hi Carl, you are right about the possibility of hazardous material but unfortunately our budget just doesn't extend to replacing them (at this stage). We have a few more pressing issues to deal with first (leaky sunroom roof, subfloor ventilation system not ideal, drainage problems in the yard) so cosmetics come last. However, I didn't think of replacing the doors or altering them so that's good news. They are actually handmade ( by their old neighbour who was a carpenter) so I am hoping that they're actual timber and not particle board. I know the two in the other rooms are (I'll upload a photo when I take one, they're quite beautiful) but this one looks like maybe it was added in at a later time and maybe not made by the guy next door. I'll have to think more on it. Hard when we haven't moved in yet - I'm just going on photos at the moment! The memory nook is a lovely idea. My daughter would love it. Thanks again for all the suggestions. I also like the idea of using the space between it and the wall.

Hello, annb! No, not really :-( It will be part of a mini reno later this year, so I still have time up my sleeve. So many of the decisions (like flooring, paint colours, finishes etc) have a knock-on effect, that I need to decide on everything before I start. I think I need to get a cork flooring expert to come and look at our floors and tell me what is and isn't possible in terms of changing the colour of the existing floors. I still think Smartstrand carpet will be the choice for the carpeted areas. But who knows.....I'm feeling quite paralysed to the point of losing confidence about changing anything. I might need a professional to help me decide !

Definantely keep the old garage, it's been there much too long to be considered illegal, your neighbour would also love the privacy it provides to both of you, we have a similar one next to our pool, we love it. Agree some gardening and clearing away some old bits and pieces. Just attaching a couple more photos, don't throw the plants away just repurpose them. the first photo is of a builders house, he used the existing garage as a games room with added pergola over original driveway, a second carport is off to the left looks brilliant (they get quite a lot of sun on this side). The next two are before and after shots of a mid centuary house similar to your's, the last photo is of our current house, flat roof garage is hiding solar panels, we have changed the colour pink to a more original one, grey green.

This next two months we have so much on here in NZ that we've pushed our Aus business launch to 1 May , but the intention is we will be based at this apartment for about 3 weeks in May , then we'll see . So far we have already done a lot of touristy things , done the ferries several times , the trains , etc . We've bought a car too -- no idea what will happen to that if my cousin/aunty start pushing to sell the unit , but at this stage I've paid all these bills , except the kitchen ( my cousin had already paid that ) and I've also transferred them 'a loan' , so it seems likely we'll all have this unit for at least 18 months , and then we'll review things , as a family , if that makes sense . So basically we'll be honorary Orstralians soon cobber . . . . . . . .