bigreader I'm okie..thanks for caring ..just need time to readjust kind of walked out on my job..so looking for stuff to fill in my time ..I hate being bored and sitting sround fiddling my thumb been looking for courses to do and taking my camera out.. these I took yesterday in Warrandyte..

I was 23 years old and our first home (1982) was $42,000 but interest rates were 21%!!! It was in Otorohanga NZ and mortgages were tough to get. Best decision ever though. We had second hand everything, even using an old beer crate as coffee tables and book shelves lol. Over the years we have owned only 3 homes though, and if we were to start again we have learned to not over capitalise on homes we have bought instead upgrade sooner. Finally we are ebarking on our first new home build ... bettter late than never though definately!

Hi Siriuskey, They are timber looking tiles - we absolutely love them. We are considering the same for the new place but potentially herringbone/parquetry arrangement. Much more expensive vs. laminate but easier to clean and no concern in relation to water...

Hi We had the same decisions but in a new build We went with a floating hearth and mantlepiece between the 2, as I think they add to the fireplace feel, even if it is gas. I wanted non symmetrical so an art work or ceramic will go on the other side (not shown in pics) it doesn’t have the cupboard The hearth is the same tiles as the outside paving The other way for ours would be to have made the plaster to resemble an old fashioned chimney great & painted that. They issue we have is the fireplace has been supplied without a part so not yet complete Best wishes for your decisions