How funny. I just renovated (on a budget) my small kitchen and added exactly the slate look in tiles you have, though they are in fact porcelain. And I placed them throughout the house for continuity. The tiler asked if I was after a retro hippy look but it doesn't look like that at all. My cupboards were the same colour as yours and I utilised the bones of the kitchen and had the doors and Benchtops changed only. I also have plenty of light in the kitchen but chose white doors and as I was on a budget I chose granite look Benchtops, they are very serviceable and it looks great. The blue backsplash was the colour lift and here you could choose any colour to your liking. Basically the kitchen ended up with white cupboards and appliances other than cooktop, with the stainless cooktop and coloured splash back being the focal point. The paint colour are: whisper white walls, integra splashback, white ceiling and for increased contrast I used the same white above the splashback on the rear wall. I would consider painting out the brick but leaving the texture.

We had a house built 4 years ago from a local medium price country builder at $2,000m2. It had 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, double garage . It was 165m2 and included: 2 pac kitchen and corion benchtop Nuline weatherboads, high pitched colorbond roof Half on slab and half on stumps Top grade spotted gum hardwood flooring 2700 high ceilings, square set double glazing to all external windows and stacker door Tinted windows throughout Extensive natural stone to exterior, ensuite and lounge and huge deck. Insulation to roof, floor and internal walls Ducted air conditioning and fans Did not include driveway or landscaping. Medium finish to bathrooms which each had a walk in shower. If you house is twice the size the high expense of a kitchen would be spread over more square metres and so the late should come down. So many variables though. When you get pricing done you need to PC (prime cost items) - set a $ amount so you can compare easily: Kitchen finish Sink and taps dishwasher, oven and hotplates Tile per m2 Carpet m2 Deck m2 Timber/engineered per m2 Laundry cabinet and vanities Tapwear Fans Bathroom heating/cooling Fireplace Air conditioning (split or ducted) bricks per m2 Skirtings Now make sure you dictate finishes: Ducted lau dry and kitchen exhausts height of ceiling height of tiles single or double glazing External cladding Number of coats of paint Number of powerpoints to each room and type, single or double, triple etc All this can be changed once the builder is chosen but it ensures an easy comparison. So when you increase the $ per m2 for your tiles, or lower them it is simply an adjustment. This page needs to be attached to the final contract and initialled. Hope this helps. This builder had built 4 houses for us (3 accommodation) and yet I did this up each time. Very smooth process.

Hi again everyone and thanks again for all your suggestions re my chairs. So to update....7 months later I finally have my chairs back (between the polisher and the upholsterer it took much longer than anticipated). I ended up choosing a textured blue velvet, not a navy but a mottled royal blue similar to my little painted bookshelf. Im glad I did as the frames turned out darker and much more orange tinted than I wanted so thankfully the blue fabric tones the orange down somewhat (the polisher was supposed to do a test patch first for us to see...but annoyingly didnt and just went ahead and finished them before we'd confirmed the timber colour was okay to proceed with) Bur overall Im pleased with the result as I didnt want to be TOO safe and thankfully the textured fabric does not look like a solid plain colour - I ended up ruling out any patterned fabric as although I did get some patterned fabric samples I felt they just didnt really work with the rest of the patterns or decor in this area, or do justice to the chairs, and I find the blue chairs with the blue cabinet create an interesting little colourful 'nook' (especially when teamed with my old persian rug) in an otherwise very neutral coloured, large airy space that compliments and brings together the splashes of blue and the similar coloured full-room sized persian rug in the opposite part of this open plan living/dining room. Also my vintage Liberty fabric cushions which I was adamant on using compliment the colour perfectly, so thats a win! But thanks again everyone for all the helpful comments

When tiling a basement or below-grade area, there are several considerations to keep in mind. Here are some important factors to consider: Moisture and Waterproofing: Basements and below-grade areas are more prone to moisture issues, so it's crucial to address any existing moisture problems before tiling. Ensure that the space is properly waterproofed, including sealing walls and floors, installing a moisture barrier, and addressing any leaks or drainage issues. Subfloor Preparation: The subfloor in basements may be different from above-grade areas. Concrete slabs are commonly found in basements, so it's essential to ensure the subfloor is level, clean, dry, and free from any cracks or defects. Proper subfloor preparation is crucial for a successful tiling installation. Tile Selection: Choose tiles that are suitable for below-grade areas. Porcelain or ceramic tiles are popular choices due to their durability, moisture resistance, and ease of maintenance. Consider selecting tiles with low water absorption rates to prevent potential water damage. Vapour Barrier: Installing a vapour barrier between the concrete subfloor and the tile can provide an additional layer of protection against moisture. It helps to prevent moisture from seeping up through the subfloor and affecting the tiles. Adequate Drainage: If the basement or below-grade area is prone to water accumulation, consider incorporating a drainage system, such as a sump pump or French drain, to divert water away from the area and prevent potential damage to the tiles. Underfloor Heating: Basements can often be cold and damp, so underfloor heating may be a consideration for added comfort. Ensure that the selected tiles are compatible with underfloor heating systems and that the installation is done correctly to avoid any issues. Professional Installation: Tiling a basement or below-grade area can be more challenging than other areas of the house due to the specific conditions involved. Hiring professional tilers in Sydney who have experience working in basements and below-grade areas is highly recommended to ensure proper installation and address any unique challenges that may arise. When searching for Sydney tilers who specialise in basement tiling or below-grade areas, it's essential to do thorough research, check their credentials, read reviews, and request quotes from multiple reputable tiling companies to find the best professional for your specific project.