This ia a really old article. My third drawer now houses all those 'one off' bits and pieces that don't warrant a drawer for themselves and their ilk. Amazingly, when I need...that thinamejig or whatzit that would do the trick its always in the thrid drawer. tangled up with all the other 'third drawer' one offs. So - third drawer for whatever you need! Pretty good system really. Apologies to the professional cabinet makers who cater to the super organised...drawers with partitions. Honestly, if I absolutely had to live according to the norm.."a place for everything and everything in its place" I'd go a bit batty trying to remember what was supposed to occupy what partition and I think, the way my mind works, I'd feel quite frustrated. I don't have time to be super duper organised down to the colour coding, the things of square or round shape, the plastics and the chinas...and I certainly do not posess a china cabinet where to display all the expensive and heirloom dinnerware. that would never get used...can't see the sense. In fact, I only have six drawers in my kitchen and a nice large 100yr old built in linen and pantry cupboard down the length of the hallway that was built to house the basic kitchen utensils and also has room for any modrn appliances. My kitchen is small, functional, individual ane compact, My beautiful wrinkly assistance dog has his own drawer...and he diligently takes out and replaces his "stuff". My bits and pieces live in the third drawer and when all is put way there's a sense of ease in my kitchen.

Thanks team. Here's another idea - what about white wooden blinds? I actually like having no coverings on the windows for most of the time. eg. We have great views west and east, so the doors/windows are normally open 6 months of the year. They still need to be dressed, but with something that doesn't hinder the view. They could be up for most of the summer, and only let down if I need to keep some heat out or in winter to keep the cold out. I'm concerned they would be too heavy to operate being most of my window/door widths are 240cm. I've never worked with a consultant before... should I get someone to come in and give me a professional opinion?

I have had a love/hate relationship with curtains in both my houses (both houses gutted and extended). In our current house our family/kitchen/dining room is quite big and has two sets of cafe doors and two big double windows. I had NO curtains/blinds on them for TEN years because I didn't like anything I saw! We had a film crew use our house and they put up sheers on all the windows/doors that are a beige/mushroom tone similar to your grey sheers. (My walls are Dulux white opal.) We loved them so much we kept them. They are relatively dust free (unlike shutters) and they don't impose or darken the room which was what worried me (I like airy, not closed in). My couches are red and I have a bright colour palette generally. But the thing is you don't want the curtains to dominate, or the room/s to look too busy and because the couch is the same tone, you can now decorate to your hearts content with other colours with cushions and vases, etc without losing that restful Hampton's feel. I say stick with your curtains. Good luck! Kerry

Hi Catherine, the glass panes in a louvre window overlap to ensure an effective seal against wind and water. We sell thousands of louvre windows each year and sealing of blades has never been an issue. However, you should always check that the manufacturer you go with and products you select comply with industry standard AS2047:2014. Products must comply to this Australian standard for wind and water penetration and are independently tested, before they can be certified compliant. All A&L products are certified compliant with this standard.