@fianou, Thank you for your kind words, I agree it's coming along, although not everyone knows that we've been building this home for 8 years now, using only our own money as humble farmers!!! We live in a tiny but comfortable7 square, (roughly) relocatable home and I personally can't wait to get into my new home with all the room and room to put everything in it's place!!! Right now all my posessions are boxed or wraped and in storage in various locations here on the property like our woolshed and an old caravan, as well as things stored in my mother's home a few kms away and with the home having just been sold, means I will have to move this furniture here and add to the mountain of things already in storage!! I'm sorry to say and hope I don't offend, that I don't have an affinity with hanging pots and plants and hubby would literally "cringe" at the thought of growing a vine up our new posts ha-ha I have got a pair of large pots either side of the front door , visible in the photo, housing Wisteria's that I hope to be able to keep tamed and they shoud look lovely when in flower. I originally planned to have about 20 standard roses along the front of the home but they are too much work I've decided and more often than not look quite shabby at certain times, especially when they are dormant, so instead, I have decided to plant several standard grevilleas in a nice stone mulch with a brick border as is the rest of my garden for easy mowing. I actually have quite a large garden but mulch is definitely the way to go and I have used a few different types of stone mulch, as well as tree mulch and woodchips and this reduces my weeding workload, the bain of all gardeners. I'm almost 60 and want to enjoy my home and garden but do not want it to become a burden but should I ever consider a hanging basket, perhaps indoors, I will be reminded of you!!! ha-ha Cheers, Barbara

Did u actually pick the colour from a colour card and agreed on that with the kitchen company? If so, have u still got the colour card? If so, put the card up against you cupboards in the (daytime) and then again in the (evening), when not a lot of light is reflecting. Paint always looks different on walls etc than they do on the colour card. It depends on the lighting in the room. The colour of the walls or floor throw off reflections, so can actually make the colour seem different. 1/.. If this is what's happened, your stuck with the colour.Your just looking at a bland kitchen and only the paint colour is in your face. So stands out alone. But honestly, wait till all the kitchen is finished and furnished ect, as you will find the colour won't affect you as much. 2/.. If it's not the colour you chose, and you can prove it, you can either get them to give u a big discount or have them re do it. It's that simple. I'm sure you'll find that once all is completed, it will be fine.

I really like colorbonds wallaby... they have some contrasting colours listed below... this might give a dark enough look without being too dark. however would you consider changing roof and trims first and then see how you feel about the brickwork? It might be all you need to do for an updated look. I'd maybe do roof and gutters same colour and then down pipes in a colour similar to bricks so not to stand out..., garage doors maybe the woodland grey?

you are super-patient!!! :) :) thank you :) I'm so sorry but I do actually have a couple MORE thoughts!! argh! there are just so many different options.... and this is a bit of an all consuming puzzle to try to solve. here they are: 1) study could become main bathroom - leaving new Bed 4 as per plan since it is bigger & a better size for guests. in this option, some area could be stolen from the study to boost ensuite size - even if it just made the ensuite 1 full metre. Ideally not requiring study window to change. 2) WC could potentially be separate either within this space OR at the back of the old kitchen (allowing for the remaining, longish hall wall to be shorter again) oklouise you may think some of these ideas are not very workable & I'd be so glad for your feedback & comment (and anyone else's comments as well), it's really so incredibly helpful - unbelievably helpful - to have everyone's input. i'd love recommendations on which ideas & options might work best for that balance between function & budget