Air condition is called aircon, the combo air conditioner & heaters that you hang high on a wall are called swingers. Countertops are called benches, yards are called a gardens, closets-wardrobe, bonus room-rumpus room, hardwood floors or any wood is called timber. Living in the country is living in the Bush. Carpenters are called a Chippy, electrician -Sparky, brick layer-bricky, plumber-dunny driver. Downtown is called CBD. Neighbor is spelled neighbour. If a room is painted and decorated in updated colors & pattens they are called “Fresh”. If a house is updated in higher end-sophisticated materials it’s called “smart”. Fittings-are basically light fixtures, plumbing fixtures, appliances. Color is spelled colour. Picture rails are still pretty common. Queenslander-is a traditional style of home in Queensland that has a bungalow/Victorian/country/cottage feel. “security screens” are popular on windows & doors-which is a metal lattice. Full fences around your property are also popular.

Well nasmijati has much to offer. For my mind i would like to get an understanding of who you are before thinking too much ahead friendlykim. If we leave climate change, fire zones, function, ergonomics and sustainability to one side we might consider your childhood experiences, your passions, sufferings, do you like literature/ Japanese poetry? - will you have mist in the winter months? what music do you like? imagination as play in defining space, choreographing shade and light, will you have children to consider, would you consider a more elemental use of water for swimming and other opportunities in place of a lap pool? we could talk about art, what artists you love, insight beyond reason which comes through our relationship that your garden may feed your mind on a daily basis. Have you travelled? Does the north African civilization have anything to teach you for garden application? - what is your latitude? Has contemplation placed it's hand on your shoulder by this stage of your life? I should stop - for me it's not really about design, it's about the life of the mind and arousing latent, hidden aspects of who you are - your life narrative. This is how I would start making a garden for you and preferably over lunch - it is primarily about love in the end!

Hi Kylie. Quality of an appliance is hard to answer. We've used all of the brands you've mentioned with varying results. And the manufacturers don't always play fair with what you are getting. I have been to China with the reps of a 'brand name' appliance company looking for new models that were simply a rebadged product. It was all about buy cost landed vs sell cost. Not one ounce of quality assurance and the features that the public were going to get were simply what the factory had already designed. We've always worked on the basis that Gaggenau are the most expensive, then Miele then Smeg, and that's how people perceive the quality. I've seen clients install all of the above, and not one of them doesn't have a story to tell about a dud. For ourselves, we use Smeg, as it is not the most expensive but is still recognized as a brand name. We had a dud cooktop for cleaning once but otherwise have had nothing but good experiences over many houses. We have installed Gaggenau for a client. Would I pay the money for it? Well, if I had their money I guess I would but as I don't I can't justify it as nothing more than a want (not a need) Cheers

I don't want to be too negative , but these 'polls' you are doing don't seem all that well thought through , and probably why you aren't getting many replies . 95% of the time , I buy what I'd call 'perceived value' -- the best value for money . That is generally somewhere near the middle of the cost spectrum -- not cheap and nasty , but not handmade out of spun gold by Jesuit monks in the upper reachs of Siberia either . In most cases , that is the better offerings from larger suppliers , but sometimes it is 'boutique' suppliers . And occassionally I will pay top dollar for something draw-dropping that adds the Wow . One $2000 item in a $100k reno , where $1000 is your everyday brand name and $600 is your no-name, doubtful warranty product that is unlikely to last 2 years , is often worth it , but a $100k reno that comes in at $200k probably isn't , even in my own place , but conversely to do a $100k reno for 'only' $80k but using items that aren't quite right isn't what I call good value either -- I've even spent a few thousand more on commercial buildings that 'only' lease for $20k a year , because I've wanted a stone or brick front rather than painted plasterboard ; or a larger double-opening door in solid wood rather than aluminium ; etc .