Your welcome Mari, like I said you already have a good eye. I don't think you necessarily have to paver the whole drive either. I’d recommend doing driveway improvements after you’ve done the major stuff that might scuff up the existing driveway, like landscape contractor or fence guys with equipment and extra dirt or stone being scraped off of it. I was just thinking a skinny band of pavers to help out, maybe 3’ or however wide the covered walk is on the side next to the house. It looks like the existing drive is asphalt. You can just saw cut a nice straight edge and then install the pavers next to it. I also did the band across the end to help fix the cracked piece. You could have the asphalt resealed black to make it pop or since it looks like most of the sealer is worn off you could probably pressure wash and do a colored acrylic sealcoat. It might work but you’d have to do more research and ask some professionals in your area of Australia. I like the idea of a lighter color on the drive so it doesn’t get intensely hot on summer days. Here were a few of the color choices off this website I pulled up. Thanks for letting me contribute - Septic Tank in Chicago http://www.sealandcoat.com/colored_asphalt_coatings/index.php

Hi Trish, Glass splashbacks can be any Dulux paint colour. As long as you have good lighting like led strip lighting under overhead cupboards you can use the glass splashback to show your personality. Laminex Diamondgloss laminate for the cupboards in a light colour will brighten up your kitchen. This project we used dark edging to the cupboard doors and recessed drawer pulls to make it a bit more interesting rather than it all being the same colour. Regards Jane McDougall ARBV 14988 alsoCAN architects 1/52 Burnley Street Richmond V3121 Ph: 9421 3433 Mb: 0413 332 874 www.alsocan.com.au

Hi Cathy, Yes, I think you would be fine to have matt black cupboards near your oven to help hide it a little. You will probably need to balance the black with having it elsewhere - maybe even your overhead cupboards, if it connects to the oven tower(?). Plans would make it easier to comment. I would tend to avoid bringing in another colour (such as blue), though you can use a marble tile or textured white tile as your splashback to reinforce the colour scheme. Good luck with the decisions - it's a very exciting time. I'm happy to have a look at your plans if you can upload them. Regards, Cathy (Bespoke Home Building)

You didn't mention the face-brick wall that is a real feature of this room. If you are keeping this brick wall as it is I would go with a plain white benchtop, as a marble will be lost with the face brickwork and feature timber. I think that you are on the right track with the grey floor tiles, however a bluestone grey is a cool grey, and you have a lot of warmth in the brickwork and timber. I would suggest a plain warm grey tile, with a hint of brown , perhaps similar to the mortar colour in your brickwork would complement the rest of the room quite nicely.This is a render of one of my current jobs with a similar scheme to your proposed white and timber which works quite nicely for the 1970's home that it is in. Best of luck with your kitchen renovation, Dr Retro of Dr Retro House Calls