Hi Leecy, lovely to hear from you and hearty congratulations. No wonder you have been quiet. What a fun time ahead and I'm sure your new addition is going to thoroughly enjoy the attention of his 3 mothers. I can imagine the wonderful feeling of moving into a home that needs no work. It is fun to plan and do the renovations, but there just comes a time in life that freedom is so much more important, especially with babies - you just never get that time back. How far did you get with the renovations? Did you get the kitchen area done at all?? I put my new kitchen in last October while BH was overseas and I had it all to myself, MY decisions MY wants, MY needs. I didn't let on to anyone I was doing it so BH came home to a huge surprise and loved everything - I'm sure mostly because he didn't have to think about it. Everything is in drawers or on pull out shelving so no bending or crawling around the floor, except in the pantry which has all narrow adjustable shelving so the low shelves just have one large item on them making it easy to grab and nothing has to be searched for. All the joeys have been here since then for holidays and it got very high scores of approval. The only problem we have is trying to find things, with cleaning out, there are no hiding places left. Given us lots of laughs at least. Good luck with everything, and don't be a stranger. Sneak peek at part of the kitchen

These 4 photos showing some window tinting done to add to my priviouse article . A house in Penguin Tasmania overlooking the sea with privacy an sun problems using a dark neutral based film showing one sheet of glass done an one with out with the second picture showing the glare reduction on the floor as a comparison . This demonstrates little reduction in quality of views overlooking the sea but offers many benifits to the customers with out having to close blinds / curtains etc. The other two showing the full reflective film on a commercial shop front with views from both inside and outside as a comparison . ( please note; taking photos facing windows will often result in misleading picture quality due to any glare present , thus resulting in misleading darker looking window views than what normally results from using most tinted films .) The actual light reduction difference between these two films is approx 9% with the reflective being the darker of the two and comparable to a popular dark grey low reflective shade that's also widely popular . Any one requiring some unbiased comments regarding this subject are quite welcome to call me . Although I live in Tasmania , I do offer my services not only Australia wide but also overseas if the need arises . As to the life expectancy of these products . As these are manufactured world wide , the quality ( or lack of) plus the degree of experince and willingness of the installer to make sure they want to try an do a good job ; can make a Hugh difference to the last -ability . Therefore, take care on choosing the film and installer ; and don't buy on price alone. Gary. Protek window tinting (Tasmania )

We have been in the Window Treatment industry for over 30 years. - In all that time I don't think I've seen such awful plantation shutters. - I really feel for you. I would suggest you contact the Blind Manufacturers Association of Australia (BMAA): Blind Manufacturers Association of Australia The BMAA actively promotes standards across the industry in this country, have a members code of ethics and have established conflict resolution processes for members. Your supplier may not be a member, however, they may be able to assist you with arranging an independent inspection. Which would be helpful should you choose to pursue the matter through Queensland Consumer Affairs. As to a solution to the light problem. - No there are not many suitable options open to you in my opinion. Plantation shutters are not designed to provide total block-out. There will be some light seepage regardless of the quality of the blinds though it will be minimal in comparison to the light seepage evident from the images you have provided in this thread However, high-quality shutter blades close evenly and the effect of a small amount of light seepage across the top of each blade is supposed to be pleasing and part of their appeal, in the right space. At the very least the supplying consultant should have advised you that shutters are not suitable as a block-out solution. Most shutters can be ordered and supplied with or without a box frame. Usually at no additional cost. The advantage of a box frame is that it can prevent any warping of the shutters once fitted and provides a better light seal not only around the edges of the shutters but provides the additional support to the entire shutter, keeping the blades aligned over the long term. The downside for the installer is that shutters with frames take longer to install because any gaps around the frame must be filled and corked which means fitting takes longer. - It is not uncommon or unusual for a window to not be perfectly in-square, regardless of the age or expense of the property the shutters are being installed into. The issue with roller shades placed behind the shutters is twofold: 1. In nearly all instances, the solution is not possible as the shutters are set into the frame and there is not sufficient room in which to install roller shades. 2. Assuming it was possible to have roller shades fitted behind your shutters, it would defeat much of the aesthetic appeal of the shutters. While you may have them raised during the day; when lowered at night you would not see the shutters or the minor light leakage (which can also provide a pleasing effect when viewing the window from the outside, at night, without compromising privacy) This may not be important to you depending on which side of the house the shutters have been installed. I would pursue this further with the supplier after first talking to the BMAA. You have invested heavily in a plantation shutter solution. - In trying to find a block-out solution - You are negating many of the reasons people select plantation shutters over other window treatment solutions. You selected plantation shutters for their aesthetic appeal and the positive impact they would have lent the ambiance of the spaces in which you had them installed. The problem needs to be fixed and not masked. If block-out is a must have for you, given your circumstances, then I think oklouise's solution is one worth pursuing. However, I would also suggest that if the shutters were performing to spec both in terms of the physical product and its fitting, you would be satisfied with the degree of block-out that the shutters would be providing you. Nancy

Ashjean I have had a play with your house and suggest the following very basic layout at this time to see if you like it I would have the garage on the Battleaxe drive way along with laundry, bathroom and study, this could be built on the boundary with the eaves on this side reduced if needed, Windows would be high light up under any eaves. I suggest that the bedrooms are on the western boundary which will be quieter and cooler with plantings, the hard surfaces of the driveways will store any day time heat that will be released over night Keeping the floorplan simple with removing the extra passage to separate the bedrooms and bathroom and using a simple roof without too many extra ridges will save you money. Can you please confirm the front width of your block and the length