Depends on so many things! I agree a decent cup is the first step. Fine bone china keeps the tea hot much longer. A shape and size and visual appeal to suit the drinker would be even better. Fresh water boiled immediately, and not left on the boil for too long if on a stove top. Filtered water if you live somewhere with heavily chlorinated water would be better. Brewed with the leaves loose in a pot will give the tea leaves more room to 'swim', allowing them to impart their flavour faster and giving a more full flavour without over steeping, which leaves a bitter flavour from the tannins being released. Use a tea cozy to retain heat if not using a fine bone china teapot. Different types of tea are best steeped for different times, so see the packet of your favourite tea for ideal steep time. Add more or less tea leaves to increase or decrease strength rather than changing the time, as otherwise it either just tastes like hot water or tannins. Add cold milk, lemon and/or sugar to taste. If you can't tell how any of that makes a difference, use a tea bag in any old cup you like, but don't squeeze it out or you will get a super dose of tannins. If you like bitter tea, you can end the debate now and just say you can make your tea however you like. ;-)

Caulking should be neat and smooth and NOT hit you in the eye visually. Personally, I'd probably be having a tiny "not really happy" moment (and phone call, and email) over it - but then that's me. There is no earthly reason why a clear sealant couldn't have been used other than whoever did it was either lazy or not interested and the supervisor for the job didn't check it. As for the agents agreement that it could be taken back a little - blow that for a joke - it should be stripped out, clear sealant used and the job done in a professional trademan like manner as this is a new build and if you wanted an amateur to have a go - you'd have done it yourself rather than paying for "skills". Sorry, this stuff really bugs me - I'll get off my soapbox now. :)

Hi all as an update, we now own the unit (subject to settlement) and have been in with a builder. The discrepancy in the original kitchen measurements is that the floorplan has been incorrectly drawn. Attached is my update, as you can see the kitchen wall is not flush with the adjoining wall, hence the difference in width. Now we do really need ideas!!!! We are thinking about a kitchen like this too with similar flooring.

We put similar gates on our first house, many years ago,ours were western red cedar, we bought then at a place on the Princes Highway at Arncliffe an area of Sydney, not sure if they still trade. try Trade Cedar Gates 0428268664 might be able to help.