We finished our antique island bench, which was originally the haberdashery counter from David Jones in Newcastle, with a burnishing oil. The surface proudly bears the markers of it's history as the timber was too soft and thin to strip back any further than we have, but the burnishing process has protected it from every day wear and tear including water spills and the rough and tumble that our four boys dish out to every piece of furniture in the house, it also gives it a beautiful shine. We have finished our dining room table the same way. Kitchen dresser and the sides of the island bench that don't get the same use are finished with beeswax.

Definitely an attached garage is always a big plus, particularly in terms of value and resale "tick boxes".........which is one of the benefits of the concept I threw out there a few weeks back that involved developing the more logically oriented extension that connects the garage across where the pool is currently.............which obviously involves moving the pool or removing it for a period of time before it can then be potentially reinstated............ My professional opinion remains firm that for the long term investment that is the superior outcome, better spend and highest value-adding option for the property, even if it takes longer and costs more to achieve......budget limit is one thing, but equally you can spend a certain "budget" limit to simultaneously achieve a "more expensive" & lesser value adding result...........let's say you have a limit of $500K but budget aside the arguably best value concept is more like a $650K exercise. A compromised spend of $500K can be actually the "more expensive" option long term in comparison to a higher cost but higher value spend, that perhaps could be achieved in stages or over a longer period of time, say building first and then eventually finishing off landscaping. Rome wasn't built in a day and I've written before about the time/cost/quality relationship and how managing those one way or the other will influence the long term outcomes for a project, for better or worse....... We'll never tell people what they should or shouldn't want in their homes, but when it comes to resolving/identifying the most logical and profitable and balanced options/solutions for a certain outcome, well that's kind of the business that we're specialised in.............. I am also suspecting that there could be some misalignments/tension on the "client" camp/side (ie his wants vs her wants) of the process that is making it difficult to properly prioritise and robustly shuffle the various project variables........the "in limbo"/"going round in circles" is a classic symptom and ultimately requires resolution somehow.........

Hi Carly, Take a look at our website - we have a wide range of dining tables - with over 30yrs of experience and a Sydney Showroom we are well worth a visit. Take a look at this one delivered just last week:

We put a covered, insulated long roof on our north facing outdoor area adjacent to indoor living spaces (in a manner much like yours) 20 years ago. We have experienced 20 grey winters inside our home since then with lights on constantly by necessity, but the summers are fantastic with the inside well sheltered from heat. To some extent we consider this the lesser of all possible evils, but winters are not fun inside. We put a skylight in the alfresco roof which - because of a steep roof pitch - allows some light inside in winter, but not enough. Have you thought of turning the alfresco 90 degrees so that some sun can enter the home easily in winter? A deciduous vine on a pergola over the exposed windows could shield the house in summer. This newly exposed space could be garden or decking without a roof. BTW, I would definitely stay away from indoor skylights - even triple glazed ones let in far too much heat in summer. I have met so many people who regret their decision to put in even a very expensive and supposedly heat proof skylight - a number who now clamber onto their roof every summer with bricks and a tarp to cover the skylight. Some who’ve given up on taking it down in winter - such a waste of money and what an effort! I’ve heard solar tubes provide light without heat but they don’t offer the beauty of a Velux style skylight. Good luck with the build. And may I suggest you reduce walking distances inside - you want to age-in-place gracefully, if you can. EDIT: Looking at your plan again I realise you have 2 windows (one on either side of the alfresco) that will allow northern light inside in winter - assuming the alfresco is due north, which I think you said earlier it is. This is MUCH better than the situation we have - ALL windows (actually 2 x long bifold doors) are covered by the alfresco roof in our situation. You are starting with better bones than we had, even if you change nothing. I would make the window to the L on your plan a door (if it isn't already), to really maximise the light that enters there. The window to the R is in the kitchen, so not much you can do there, except perhaps go for the largest window possible. So perhaps this is not in need of a massive change??