The next time I decorate by a colour of the year will be the first time. Don't hold your breath. I have nothing against this particular colour but it doesn't work with all the things I've collected over the years, and I am not about to discard carpets bought after hard bargaining with dubious merchants in Istanbul or Islamabad because they don't "go" with a paint colour that someone voted "colour of the year." In its place, I think the colour would be quite nice (better than this years choices, certainly). It's just that my place isn't the right place for it.

I love nature so I saw the mountains first, then the flat roof, then the rain chains, then the glass walls, then the man, then the dog, then the whole picture. Quite a pleasing aesthetic overall. ...and Chook, I'd like to know WHY you are up on the roof in the first place!

I've been playing around with a pantry location. Originally, I was going to move the pantry into the laundry with some custom shelving and cut the laundry space in half. Now, Im thinking of cutting into the study area and building a wall there, and converting the new space into a long and narrow walk in pantry. Either that or build half a wall and put built in shelving in the study. Building the extra wall will reduce the need to cover in the door way that is currently in place and instead utilising it. Thoughts? p.s. this isnt too scale.

I think she may have been referring to what is called a "French Pattern" which looks like a random mixture of square and rectangle tiles, often in travertine. However while it looks random it is actually carefully planned, and the tiles are made to a consistent thickness. It also depends on the type of tile that you are using. Many traditionally hand-made ceramic tiles have a natural variation, which adds to their appeal and visual interest. Other types of tiles, such as your porcelains are much squarer, flatter and almost identical. I would suggest that you go with your your choice of grid pattern, as laying a random pattern has too many risks (plus your tiler will hate you and charge lots extra). Be very careful about the selection of your tiles depending on your preference for a rustic more organic look, or a hard-edged architectural look. Make sure that the surface that you are tiling to has been properly prepared and is flat, smooth and true, as your tiler will not be able to correct imperfections if you have a bad wall. Best of luck, Dr Retro of Dr Retro House Calls