I had a lot of Tile Photos and shapes on my old Computer XP But the new one is Apple and I was Wondering why I couldn't Find Things that should have been there..The best ones are those that fit together as a complete Panel. It is True that it is not easy to Make The Shapes yourself...I did a tile Course a few years ago....You can Roll the Clay out and then print out the shape you require. (You need to spend time making or getting a Metal Worker to Make several Shapes in Steel...It is like Pastry Cutting ..Probably would take too long...You are right that some Clays are Easier to Work with...There is a type of Terracotta that is very forgiving...But a lot of the white or beige clays will crack very easily and are too fussy.. You have to leave things to dry out slowly over about 4 weeks ...The Kiln needs to be heated up very slowly any rushing and crafts will happen . I still have my old Computer so I hope to get Photo's unto a clip so that I can move them to iPhoto...Good luck with your Project....

Well, it has been a long (and sometimes painful) process but we are nearly at the end of the extension/renovation. We ended up going with a building designer (Dalecki Design) who made a few changes we really hadn't considered (including moving the existing bathroom) which may have cost slightly more but completely changed and improved the master bedroom space. Without the pool it will be close to the upper end of our original budget but still within what we were hoping for so fairly happy with that. Overall the new living area is amazing and filled with light compared to the old design. Will throw in some photo updates once we have finally converted the front yard from a sand pit and finished off the driveway, garage door and fencing.

Hi oklouise, thank you again so much for your suggestions to help me reflect on my choices! The great thing about this whole process is that it has really helped me clarify my must haves/dealbreakers and nice to haves. Key elements that I don't want to forego are: 1) a "master suite" with large WIR + private ensuite+ direct private garden access/views. The current northern bedrooms are elevated and do not allow these elements and better suited to small kids as no external doors and can be eyeballed from the kitchen. 2)The kitchen must be the heart of the home and connected to all living spaces so the host never feels disconnected from guests & can watch kids from almost any living space.I attended a party last weekend which had the kitchen blocking the living room from the outdoor space and the host commented they regretted it after renovating. 3)The dining room must be an end destination vs a corridor so it does not become a dumping grounds for bags, mail & everything else as the nearest flat surface to the entry point. 4) All new bedrooms must also be min 3 -3.2M wide on the narrowest side for me to justify them. 5) I reviewed all my lookbooks and tear sheets pulled to date and its a clear pattern that I want my 'adult' living and dining/entertaining spaces connected to the rear garden preferably wrapping l-shape round a deck or courtyard garden. In a sense 'broken' vs open plan but still visible through glass etc. 6) I would not be prepared sacrifice the prime N/NE aspect with utility rooms. 7) I don't wish to place a verandah at the front as it will never be used except extra maintenance and can create shading in summer via other methods. 8) capacity to rent out room with private living quarters. There are many splitter blocks in my area and I don't need it to operate as legal dual occupancy. 9) single level living -no second story bedrooms etc. 10) separation of main bedrooms when renting out section of house Phew....I think thats most of the checklist criteria I have been working to. Still think tanking the street appeal/front facade style but its probably leaning toward lux byron bay beach cottage meets modern coastal with some retro elements to hint at the history of this 1950s house!

Andrew, it’s all experience and learning. But if the real estate agent was selling that home, that is who you sign the offer and acceptance with. Yes the agent definitely works for the seller, so you need to be vigilant at all times. Then the real estate agent puts you in contact with a settlement agent to proceed with the purchase documents and transfer of money and Landgate information. You can also choose a settlement agent if you already know one. You have done the normal sequence of events in Western Australia. You can’t help if you think the real estate was dodgy, because they are the ones who were contracted to sell that home, you could not have avoided interaction with that agent. You could only have asked to deal with another agent from that real estate company. There is nothing wrong with what you have done to purchase YOUR home. Enjoy the home as is, and do your due diligence with every thing in the future when you are working out the renovations.