You could use MDF panelling resembling tonge and groove for three quarters of the height adding a picture rail on top. However this may mean removing skirting and architraves or there may be enough room to butt up to them. This could be painted then you only have to be concerned with a small area at the top.

yes. stallion looks like it is in a sample hanger with all or most of the various colours available. your other photo with the 6 or so swatches looks like all warwick samples. The Bleecker pleat does look interesting. I haven't seen it in Australia. Just remember any 'different' headings will substantially increase your making cost. Making cost is usually not unreasonable in Australia in my opinion as we have regulated wages etc. so making will change depending on how much labour will be involved. the most 'flexible' cost with curtains is your fabric as fabric cost can have a very wide range as you have no doubt discovered. but the making cost is the same whether the fabric cost $25 per metre or $250. the labour is the same.

Grey and cream go nicely together so maybe go softer paler shade of house “yellow” (ie warm white perhaps natural white) and perhaps basalt as think gutters are deep ocean and basalt more neutral Grey or ask body corporate what colours are and google matching colours

Hi Diane, yes what you describe will work but only if you do not have a Gas Cooktop. This is because the polymer binder used in the Quantum Quartz will burn when touched by an open flame. If you do have a Gas Cooktop then this can be overcome by leaving a space here behind and bringing your tiles down into this gap. Gas Regs require that Flammable materials need to be at least 200mm from the trivet. I also note that you mentioned that this is a budget consideration, so also just be aware that by using the off-cuts this way, this will only add to the cost for the extra stonemason cutting, edge polishing and installation that will be involved. Using your Quantum Quartz here in this way will cost more than the single row of tiles that you will be replacing. Hope this helps, Malcolm