JL - your are all over the place with your thoughts on colour and it is impossible to really make a valid comment without knowing more about your apartment, like the size, the age, the amount of light and the existing finishes. Paint companies like Dulux have about 4800 colours, so the subtleties and nuances of the colours available go well beyond brown, blue and pink. I would suggest that you engage either an interior designer for a one-off colour consultation, or a Dulux Colour Consultation. Somebody will visit your apartment and give you accurate advice based on the existing conditions, such as the natural light and existing finishes. If hubby hasn't purchased the brown leather sofa yet it is time to get some photos and make some decisions as it will be an important factor in your colour selections. With paint and painters being so expensive a consultation for a couple of hours will mean that you can move forward with confidence with your colours, and end up with an apartment where the colours are perfect for your family and lifestyle. https://www.dulux.com.au/services/colour-design-service/overview?gclid=CjwKCAjw68zZBRAnEiwACw0eYVlpwuUyqj84aFQregEU_Hl3wm-eT6edhO6o9pQu0AOCm1todq843BoCUhsQAvD_BwE&cid=ppc|google|dulux.com.au_main||||||||||Brand+-+Service+-+DCDS+-+Other+States|||Brand+-+Colour+Consultant+EM|&s_kwcid=AL!4713!3!275304467169!e!!g!!dulux%20colour%20consultation&ef_id=WwYm5AAAApmQHzzJ:20180627071052:s Best of luck, Dr Retro of Dr Retro House Calls

Your floor and other wall colours are great but Red (orange), black and white are very harsh together, the wall cabinets either side of the range hood have been badly installed, they should have been built to the ceiling. My suggestion is because the kitchen is small, I would remove the cabinets either side of the range hood and then run a row of white cabinets across above the sink to the end of the bench top. Paint the walls white or a soft grey, the range then becomes a stand alone feature. You didn't mention what the splash back material is but I would consider a clear mirror splash back along behind the sink and up to the base of the new white cabinets so that you're not just looking at a wall. cheers

I’d go with timber or cork. Cork is great in a kitchen. Easy on your feet and joints and things are much less likely to break if you drop them. Especially as you age, tiles cause fatigue if you are standing in the kitchen for too long. Cork is now available in lots of different colours and styles including charcoals and greys that might compliment your slate. It’s not all 80s orange. Of course timber can look great too. Just make sure it’s ok for kitchen use.

When you are building a deck, it’s critical to look at the materials that can be used for a deck subframe. This ensures that you have a stable base that you can depend on to be structurally sound and last for many years. There are a few different options, so understanding the pros and cons allows you to make a more informed decision. Find out more