Wuff, that's how it should be...unfortuntely things are hardly ever as they should be and mny people these days haven't a clue about ettiquette....that applies to some adults in particular. I agree that fine dining restaurants are not suitable for children...unless of course, as you describe, the children hav been schooled in proper behaviour. One restaurants I've been taken to on specil occasions actually has a policy of "no children"..but in order not to breach discrimination ettiquette they have a special chidren's dining room with waiters dressed in colorful uniforms. There's also a fine dining children's menu. The children are called 'maam' and 'sir' and have their chairs pulled out for them....they have their non alcoholic drinks served in lovly glases as if it were champagne or wine....it really delightful. They also have themed evenings. There's a dining etiquette that the children are expected to observe..and how to hold and use the cutlery. Parents are given a little booklet about it.. I thought it a good way to instruct the adults under the guise of instructing the children. It works well and the restaurant owners are to be commended for such a novel approach to...well, it "manners" isn't it? And not many know the mening ot the word these days. The children come away from such an experience feeling important..and I think some parents learn a few things too. There's nothing worse that not being able to go out for a dignified meal because other people don't realise that some places are just not for children..especilly their chidren. Its one thing being well-to-do and completely another having manners. My dear old Mum was the eldest of 12 children...their Dad was an Engine Driver, but he insisted that each and every one of the children learn manners.. As disadvantaged as they were, they "dressed" for dinner in their best always clean, pressed, starched clothes,,, darns, mends and all, and he'd inspect them all before they were allowed to be seated. Mum's Aunt Laura taught her to..."be a lady" and educated her about the arts, taught her how to dance, how to set a table for a three course meal, how to dress, how to be polite, and..how to cook and manage a home...so she would be able to "mix it with the best" and not be thought out of place. How things have changed...its all more relaxed. Manners and respect for others seem to have..."Gone With The Wind"..regarded as outmoded and old fashioned. Pity! Wonder how we can get a gracious, respecful society back?

I am a big fan for plantation shutters you will be excited you did! You will make your money back & ease of re sale as people want them .Otherwise... If not With your kitchen get a professional in and get a tint on your window you can see out but they cannot see in until night then a simple blind will suffice. Lounge rm attach to ceiling!!.. to floor sheer curtains with a good colour curtain behind going the whole width of the wall.. bedroom a Roman blind... take advantage of your floor boards and do it properly the first time and save money!

Yes , my first thought was pretty much along the lines of everyone else -- a large artwork -- personally , I'd go for an abstract with that 'bladed on' look , in either tones of reds and oranges and yellows , OR several blues and maybe green and silver . Go big -- at least 1.5 metre wide by 1.2 tall . There's some cool mixed media ones available for $400-500 on-line , that have bits of tinfoil and corrugated board and the like added too -- certainly adds some visual impact . Add cushions to match , large candles on the TV cabinet in the same colour pallette , and if you're adventurous , get the blind remade or spray coloured , again keeping to the same pallette to tie it all in . OR as an alternative , how about the wall behind the couch in fake 3D brick wallpaper ( reddy/orange and cream bricks ) , and the wall behind the TV painted an earth toned orange -- the white couch and black TV cabinet and white wall / blind / ceiling would would contrast nicely -- maybe add a larger white faced clock with bright red or orange numbers -- you've gotten a vast improvement on a budget .

It really wouldn't be cost effective to do anything to the bathroom as their is no real cheap option. To extend the step, you would need someone qualified as you could potentially damage the property and your friend's investment. It's an odd bathroom but I have seen weirder. A shower with a sink and toilet inside it. At least your toilet is outside the shower. Its hard to say what is under the shower, but it would be a better option to level the shower with the toilet area rather than fiddle around with making an extended step. And it maybe cheaper for you in the long run. You could ask your friend or the real estate to knock the rent down if you fix the problematic bathroom as your investment will boost up the future rental potential. That definitely looks like a safety hazard which they could potentially be liable for if you hurt yourself. Is this a house? or an apartment?