I pray I get sick so they don't want to come. (The thought of being around them usually makes me feel ill, and oddly enough I am almost always sick the rare times they want to visit us, lol). Or else I pray there is a conflict in schedules so I/we/they can't be 2 places at once. I don't have a MIL or a FIL, but the other in-laws? They are the reason I screen all phone calls and keep all the doors locked. If I don't? They are prone to just walk into the house!! Case in point--5 minutes ago one of them tried the lock!! They never learn. Despite being educated/told, they try and do what they want. They drive me craaaaazzzzzzyyyy! I don't invite them to anything. I tolerate the rare times I'm stuck with them. I would never pick these people to be my friends. We had another in-law visiting the other day from a distance. I had to sit through a dinner out. Not once did he stop talking long enough to consider the 3 other people at the table!! And nor did he apparently realize I was so bored that I was cleaning out my purse at the booth! Lol. I had already listened to him remark a couple of times that "He's been told a few times that he's arrogant and talks a lot." Hmmmm....and I never said a word, lol. In-laws begone, lol. I won't even go into all the havoc they created before we married and then on the day of our wedding itself!! One of them even created a scene outside the church steps! Crazy nutbars...not much has changed on their end either. On my end? I stopped making any efforts long ago. I don't send Christmas cards or gifts anymore, or birthday stuff, I don't call them on the phone, and I don't initiate anything. I stay out of their way as much as possible. And I've long thought how my spouse is normal and not adopted, lol.

I’d be careful using other wood pieces (like the coffee table and the one in the corner) which don’t match the floor tiles. Too much contrast. More white furniture (like white dining chairs or a white side buffet) should be added to help balance out / soften the dark floor. Avoid any large black pieces though. A cement top coffee table would look nice colour/texture wise, and would offset the dining table nicely. More texture and colour can be added through cushions, throws, table runner, and rugs. Teal is my favourite so I’m definitely biased, but it goes well with natural elements like what you have. See if you can find a large picture for the wall with a dark wood frame which matches (as much as possible) the floor tiles. The picture itself should include some teal colour. That will really start bringing the whole room together.

Know exactly how you want to use your garden, not just now but in the future. Do you have children where you want a safe place for them to play, will you want to add swings, a trampoline, a sandpit, a cubby house and other play toys kids love, but in years to come these will be replaced with other features. Allow for shade trees not just for your garden but to keep your house cool too. Depending on aspect decide if you need evergreen or deciduous trees - if your garden faces north, for example, deciduous trees are best, they provide cooling shade in summer but allow you to enjoy the winter sun both inside and out. What local wildlife do you have? Consider them when planting too. Use graph paper to draw your garden to scale to get a good idea of how much space you need for features. Measure carefully for space needed for a table and chairs for example and allow sufficient room for access in and around the area. Search "Planning a garden for beginners" on Google - lots of ideas here, practical advice and links to You Tube videos. You will even find garden design ideas on-line. Walk around your local area checking what plants neighbours are successfully growing to get you started on what is best for your area. Bunnings do employ Horticulturists to advise you too. If you have patience, look at buying tubestock plants, these actually grow faster than a larger plant and are so much cheaper. Finally try not to make too much hard work of it, a garden is to be enjoyed, take your time and enjoy the creation as well.

I'm definitely a tea towel changer! I have a bazillion of them. I have a few knick knacks and salt pigs and things, a couple 1920's/30's art deco plates on the wall... I can't stand the 'magazine' look... it's like no-one lives there, so I obsess about NOT having the 'The Block' or 'Grand Designs' look.