Hi Blufitch, Sorry for the delay in getting back to you. The four coffee tables are lovely, but I would probably opt for one of the two top ones. That being said, check the measurements first as these round tables might be significantly larger than your existing Ikea table. Re the potted plant, a taller one would be better, or you can put this one on a plant stand or even on a ceramic stool. But if you feel a mirror would be too much due to your mirrored splashback, leave the plant as it is and hang a framed print above the plant. It doesn't need to be big, but it's important that it s not too small so it doesn't look too "lost" on the wall. It's hard for me to judge the size from here, but a 70x40 frame might be ok. You could have only the yellow canvas above the couch, but you would have to bring in a few more brightly-coloured cushions or throw onto the couch, to compensate for the empty wall. Alternatively, you could also hang a large mirror above the couch. If you decide to do this, I think it would be best to move the canvas back to where it was, and hang the mirror in front of the window, so it reflects the natural light around and gives more depth to the room. The large Ikea Stave mirror (in white stained oak) is very reasonably priced and would work great. Just double check it fits first (it's 70x160)! Tell us how yo go! All the best, Nelly / Twinkle and Whistle

I guess I'd be asking, how do you plan to live in this house? As it currently is, there seem to be three separate apartments, each with its own kitchen, on each of the three floors. Do you plan to keep it that way, or incorporate the whole house into a single living area, or something in between? How many bedrooms do you need/want? You have five at the moment, not counting the studio. Do you want to keep them all, or scupper a few of them in exchange for large spaces? It's hard to give advice without knowing a bit more about how you envisage living in this house. If you're a multigenerational family, or plan on renting out the bottom suite, you'd need different advice than if you were looking at incorporating the whole place into a single family home with, say, a hideout for the kids downstairs.

It does sound like a drug house.........I too would look for something else. Not only are the drug residues harmful to your health, so are the ex drug friends (or enemies!) coming looking for money that they feel is owed to them! We have rented a house in the past that was rented previously by drug dealers...........house was broken into, cars idling out front and then speeding off at odd hours of the night and random people lurking around the front yard checking out the house. Not a situation that I would go into again if avoidable.

Hi Deanne, When you say you are doing the kitchen, does that mean you have to do the planning (design) and specifying of it also? I would have thought Storybook supplied a home with the (kitchen) plans included? If not, your builder will be able to guide you, however here are a couple of tips... 1. Choose your appliances early AND STICK WITH THEM. Often individual appliances have specific needs outside of standard eg power requirement (over 10amps), rangehood ducting direction and type, clearances to overhead cupboards, water to fridge etc. 2. Using the appliances, work out the layout (design) of the kitchen and where you want the cooking, cleaning, fridge etc. From there you need to work out power point locations for all appliances (many people forget the microwave) plus the everyday items like phone chargers, toaster, kettle etc. 3. Go to kitchen display showrooms such as Laminex. They have completed kitchens on display where you can understand the difference between a waterfall end (benchtop style), a shaker profile door (Hampton's style cabinet front) and play around with colours and finishes. 4. Put it all together in detail and you have created a specification! Re finding a builder, I agree with the above. Get a couple of names from Storybook as you don't need beginner mistakes, and go with the builder you guys are COMFORTABLE with. Price is only part of the journey. Good luck with the build.