No to the grey - your wall seems to have a green tinge in them, so I would say either green/grey or a warm white tile with darker grout. If you choose the right grey/green, it is a classic look so shouldn't date. If you are a bit scared to choose colours, why don't you get a couple of warm white sample tiles and put where the splash back will go. You will soon see if it looks too stark....(maybe another idea, but possibly not a good one - why don't you see if you can put a few pages from a blank sketchbook in the whole area where the splash back will go (not super white white, but a warm white). That could also possibly highlight how stark (or not), the white may look. I can see what design tank is saying, as your cupboards appear to be more cream than white in the photos and if this is the case, then I agree the white will most likely look too stark. My cupboards in kitchen were white (but a warm white not a cool white). The stone bench tops also have the little speckles of stone in them..I can't remember the colour Ocean foam/Osprey.......but even with those colours and them not being cool whites, I thought the white tiles looked too stark against them. I therefore went for a glass splash back and ever since I then went to think of designs for my bathroom renovation, I constantly regret going with the glass in the kitchen and modernising the house too much..........definitely don't do glass if you are wanting to keep a classic charm to the house. In a long winded way, I think yes, I also think you should just stick with the grey/green. It will make a statement. Not the right shade...but another example....it may be hard getting the colour of the tile exactly right given that the walls are already painted and the tiles need to match.

I was 23 years old and our first home (1982) was $42,000 but interest rates were 21%!!! It was in Otorohanga NZ and mortgages were tough to get. Best decision ever though. We had second hand everything, even using an old beer crate as coffee tables and book shelves lol. Over the years we have owned only 3 homes though, and if we were to start again we have learned to not over capitalise on homes we have bought instead upgrade sooner. Finally we are ebarking on our first new home build ... bettter late than never though definately!

To Australian Home Designer. Thank you for your advice but I'm not trying to replace the doors with a window. The double glass doors are on the study, and they open onto the very small balcony which measures approx 2M X 0.9M. The balcony has slate type tiles on the floor, there is a roof above and it is enclosed either side by concrete? walls. The balcony has an opening about 2 M wide by 1.5 high, which is what I'm trying to addres. The balcony is next to useless as it is and I could make more use of it if I could enclose it. I tried to add another photo to give a better idea, but for some reason I wasn't able to. So, I'm not trying to replace a window but install something in an open space to act like a window. As this area is considered common property (even though no one else can have access to it unless they walk through the apartment), I have to advise the corporate body. Chances are they'll ask for me to arrange for a by-law to be drawn up. It never ends does it? The other thing I should mention is that Council said (when I first approached them) that the developer would have used every available space to the enth degree. The developer has confirmed this with me. The block is almost 2 years old and all owners are the first occupants. Thank you for taking the time to respond. It is much appreciated.

Hello Don't be disheartened! There are a few simple steps to get on track. From what you have said, you have a clear idea of how the house needs to change. Here are a couple of things you can do to get started... Step 1 would be to obtain a set of house plans from your local Council. They will charge a fee but you can then get a copy of whatever they have on file. This can be in addition to whatever you may have from previous owner, real estate agent etc. If you don't have one or can't get one, then draw a quick one with a pen and a tape measure like this.. Then make copies and get out the pencil! Step 2 would be to do an existing home survey... that is, take a copy of one of your plans and create a power plan by drawing the location of all the power points in each room throughout the house (including behind the dishwasher, microwave etc). You can then do the lighting showing the location of each of the lights, with a dotted line to the location of each switch. You now have a power and lighting plan. This helps you think of locations of existing items and will lead to what needs to be changed. For example, if you are updating the kitchen and considering moving the oven, you need to relocate the power for it ( this becomes a cost). You can then write down a list of what needs to be done/moved in the next step. Step 3 would be to write down what I call a scope of works. This is really just a list of what you want to do in each and every room on a room by room basis. For example, Bedroom 1 'Strip and remove carpet Strip and remove light fittings Strip and remove door handles Install extra power point to... etc This will help you think through and gradually build a list of what needs to be done. Again from the above if you want new door handles, you have to go and look and choose what you want... same again for flooring, lights, paint colours, blinds/curtains etc. When you get to bathrooms, it becomes a list of tiles, how high to tile the walls, the style you like, basins/s, taps, shower, shower taps, shower screen etc Step 4 would be start refining your thoughts on paper and draw up the proposed plan. Look at problems you see with eg the kitchen and have a think about what solutions will work, and draw in pencil possible options. By now you have put together an existing property plan, an electrical and lighting plan, a scope of works and a proposed layout plan. None of this has cost you any money and now you can either take this to some professionals, come on here and get advice on layouts, style or deign ideas, go to home opens in your area or go and speak direct with a builder. By following this you will have methodically worked out what you like and don't like, gotten an understanding of what is involved and given whoever you deal with an invaluable start as to what you want! Good luck!! Cheers