I have miles of decking at two houses. All timber when put in the Australian sun will suffer. When building our beach house we decided to go for Spotted Gum and let it grey. Why fight it? We applied Cutek, and will on a regular basis. At our main house we have lots of Merabu or Quilla. Will not grey the same, and leaches lots of red stain. Cheap, but would not use again. What ever you use, use a good quality oil that seeps deep into the wood not a traditional stain/or top finishing product.

you need to consider thermal needs, privacy issues, light control, noise control, decorative preferences, size of window, room available around and above window, shape of window, budget...that is why a professional window coverings expert is the best to assist.

I am no expert, but it appears (from the wood, shape and handles) to be a danish teak dresser - they date from around the mid-late fifties and sixties. Don't think they are particularly rare (check for makers mark eg) Borge Mogensen/Sorborg Mobler?), but they are lovely, and very on-trend (similar new version by West Elm sells for $1099). Didn't find one exactly like yours on ebay, but similar vintage ones listed start at around AU $550-$600 and go up from there. A great thrifting find!

I planted a row of five Manchurian Pear trees along my front boundary and love their changes through the seasons. They are very hardy once established and are often used as street trees for their hardiness and good scale for a nature strip. Beautiful red/orange foilage in autumn, white blossums in spring, and lush green foilage in summer provides good shade. They look great as a single tree, a group of three, or a row of five trees. Best of luck, Dr Retro of Dr Retro House Calls.