Seriously you need to check out the Kerlite cladding. No need to sand, the variety is huge even wood look. All you need to do is put on a thicker screed. As I said you do need a tiler that has laid it before. Once it's down, it will never break. Google it, the range is amazing and really beautiful. I did ask the tiler about using it over slate and he said not a problem. Got mine from tile expo.

Hi Aleta1, youre getting down to the nitty gritty of Interior Design now. Choosing the perfect colour involves addressing many issues...size of your windows, orientation of the house, height of ceilings, size of rooms, purpose for room to name a few. If you have the time I recommend getting a sample pot of full and half strength and try it in a couple of corners of each room. That way you can see how the colour looks at different angles. Good luck.

Hello again, Definitely not too warm. I am not entirely sure what paint colour you are thinking of but as pointed out - easier to adjust paint rather than the other way around. If the tiles were really grey and the walls were that tone as well, it would be a very flat, souless look - the slight touch of warmth in the tiles is a good thing and honestly being so neutral your options are huge with colour of walls, particularly if you are intending to use this tile throughout. May I suggest you choose a paint colour and then use different depths of the same colour depending on sunlight, dark corners, more impact in certain areas etc to create the interest. Be wary when you have such a neutral, albeit very tasteful tile, it may be wise to adjust the paint in this way to lift the level of interest. Take a look at the following colours - Resene House White and Resene Concrete as starters - very unobtrusive. You could always go for a hit of charcoal in areas too. Avoid any "feature" walls - do the whole room - nothing wrong with strong, dark colour, even in small rooms - think powder room or laundry if you are not brave enough to do an entire, larger room. I am also assuming you will be introducing plenty of white trim on skirting boards etc - for what it is worth, my go to white is nearly always Resene Alabaster. Loving the sound of the carrara - such a classic. Hope that helps :)

I'd say there's not a lot you can do with the garage, overall height limits and ceiling height to garage perhaps? Limited info and unfamiliar with site, etc. so just really guessing here. The stairs however could be changed as could the balcony, etc. Can't see issues here why it can't be amended to suit your requirements. You never mentioned the issues with the designer but perhaps stay with them as redesigning through another may not be ideal either! Some won't touch another designer's work and will start from scratch. Give them another chance to explain why it is all done this way. Allow them the opportunity to amend it and depending on your council, use a SECTION 96 if possible. Council will soon let you know if they can accept it. Remember they've been submitted so I'd have to presume you were happy with them beforehand. Clients changing their mind or have difficulty making decisions happens regularly as its all quite new to them. I too have had clients that love the plan's, get submitted then decide that want to change something that has been there from the beginning.... Windows and doors are usually what my clients change. Frustrating for client and equally if not more so for the designer as it affects the whole plan set and documentation in many cases. I do know many designers will railroad their clients into decisions based on their own visions but this is never a good thing. It's a collaboration between client, designer, council, engineer, builder, etc. and sometimes a bit of compromise by all parties.