Thanks for asking Gioenne Rapisarda. Its been a while since I put this up! Unfortunately other unexpecteds claimed priority. I have been spending a lot of time off my feet, so time to fantacise and sketch. Have gone through heaps of possibilities on paper. Some look promising, many are far to eccentric but have been interesting explorations. Fence and screen designing is not a job I've been trained for but I seem to have a little bit of flair. The exercise has taken me to some very interesting internet sites and have discovered new materials. Found myself, for unrelated reasons, driving through an up market new suburb in Sydney where many new architect designed, privacy screened homes..no idea where that was but have sketch ideas from some of those really...designed... fences Do not want to make an overstatement here.....just a practical remedy and remove my lovely stable-natured the dog from the site of the antagonism. My best idea at present is to extend and convert an existing large fernery in that yard and not involving that fence at all. Just a tidy-up there. This would eliminate the danger to cocky boys hanging over it making mischief. The local boys in blue have been of assistance as well...."adjusting" the cheeky boys! For now have a temporary solution for my big black boy and he's happy not being teased. Thanks again for your interest Gioenne. Did you have a suggestion ? Something I could add to my sketch book of ideas? Input from other creative minds is always welcome.

The next time I decorate by a colour of the year will be the first time. Don't hold your breath. I have nothing against this particular colour but it doesn't work with all the things I've collected over the years, and I am not about to discard carpets bought after hard bargaining with dubious merchants in Istanbul or Islamabad because they don't "go" with a paint colour that someone voted "colour of the year." In its place, I think the colour would be quite nice (better than this years choices, certainly). It's just that my place isn't the right place for it.

The grey wall colour! This colour pallette from the deepest to the lightest has been on trend for a while now ... and it doesn't seem to matter what room of the house: it is becoming rather ho hum!! No proportion, balance, harmony with the elements in the room. Is this room a backpackers shared TV room?

I love using dark colours in the right places and in truth, there really isn't a colour that is true black - that would be a none colour and one that can only be truly matched and equalled by its exact equal and opposite (white) for balance and a striking visual effect - like in this kitchen where plenty of natural light streamed in. When I design my colour palettes using "black" there is always an undertone of another colour to contrast or blend (like in the picture you featured here of the formal room at Rothesay). At Rothesay I used a prominent magenta and blue base amongst 8 other pigments which is why it appears to have a rich depth and acts to highlight the ornate ceiling that we painted in Aalto Gallery white. The trims give it contrast but the complexity of colour reflects and absorbs the red accents in the room. In Feng Shui "black" represents water and can be used in the South area of your home (on this side of the hemisphere) - this can be a particularly soothing effect. I used a near black with a brown/aubergine undertone in this bedroom that was once the place of non sleep and now definitely the opposite is in effect. I love using a base colour in my blacks to punctuate bright colours and jewel like tones - it feeds the soul! After all no adventure can be had by playing it safe - right?