I've just come from a showing where an old timber house was lifted with downstairs built in modern with all polished concrete. They also had a concrete kitchen bench but kept upstairs traditional with VJ board walls and ceiling and carpeted floors. In my opinion is did not work, was a confusing mix of industrial with traditional. It almost felt cheap as if the builder couldn't be bothered to spend more on timber floors or even tile - even though the polished concrete could very well have cost more. I think dark timber is definitely your best option as it will blend better with the cornices and skirtings. Hope that helps.

Hi all, I can't seem to reply individually to your comments so here's a general one :) Thanks all for the suggestions and experience-I'm really intrigued by these suggestions of pavilion extensions, those links you attached Kate are super striking! Unfortunately for us we are on a fairly small block of land and one side of the house is a narrow driveway-we looked into building a garage/study on the ground but as we have to be 900mm from the neighbouring fence it was going to be very skinny and just not worth it. I appreciate the thoughts shared on keeping our feet on the ground but as we've two young kids and two dogs (and would love to have chickens again) I'm less and less inclined to give up more of the garden which is what we'd have to do if we extend out. Our verandah roof was done back in the 60's and slopes down and leaks in the rain so hence it needs to be lifted up if we were to build out. Kate, I LOVE your idea of the shed! We actually converted a massive steel shed into a gorgeous shed home when we lived in QLD on a massive rural block of land, loved how easy it was to 'knock' down a wall! :) Sadly we have learned the hard way that trying to save money by hiring a draftsperson that didn't ask us what our budget was has cost us time and money, but I guess in a way I'm grateful as this extra time has given me time to consider building up now instead of out. I'm getting a sense that it will be a lot more expensive to do so so might have to wait another 2-3 years to get re-finance happening. In the meantime we are making some changes to the current set up, slowly adding value and making it more enjoyable to live in :)

You’ve posted this query on a couple of forums. And don’t seem to be making progress. I think this is because even within categories as you’ve designated them there can be variances. Ie My brother’s Metricon was finished beautifully but this seems to be the luck of the drawer. On the other hand a local custom builder went broke and left a multitude of messes. As you do seem to be anal perhaps start with the SA governments documents on building standards and tolerances. The tolerance information may surprise you. This will at least give you information. Do you have an idea of your budget? Do you have an idea of the size of house you want? Are you willing to build smaller to achieve a higher quality? This will determine where you sit in the market and you can then search for the best deal. PS Scott Salisbury builds very nice homes if that’s your size and budget level.

Open your home to friends and family this holiday season and make a lasting first impression with the perfect entryway rug. Decorating a front hall doesn’t have to be stressful, and with these easy steps, clients will confidently find which rug size for entryway belongs in their space. WHAT ARE THE BEST RUGS FOR A LARGE ENTRYWAY? Life happens fast, and the perfect entryway rug can prevent damage to hard floor surfaces while offering a warm welcome to family and friends. Instead of constantly sweeping out dirt or debris, find an entryway rug that suits the energy and lifestyle of the household. Whether shopping for a small or large foyer rug, there are a few tips to keep in mind. FOLLOW A COLOR SCHEME We recommend clients decide on a color palette for the front hall and shop for an entryway rug that complements rather than contrasts. The harmony of this decision will greet them daily and speak volumes to visitors. FUNCTIONALITY Browse different textures, maintenance, and slip guard features. It’s also important to consider household pets or young children and if they will struggle with fabrics or be inclined to taste-test new purchases. A vital tip: Patterns will be more forgiving and hide more wear and tear over a solid or neutral entryway rug. DO YOU HAVE STORAGE? Deciding on storage with an entryway rug may seem ironic, but the reality of swapping out decor throughout the year cannot be ignored. Depending on the seasons, holidays, or new home decor purchases, ensure your flooring addition, like foyer runner rugs, will also store easily after purchase. HOW TO MEASURE ANY SIZE ENTRYWAY After answering the above factors, it’s time to find out how much space is available. The TSAR design team believes a carpet or rug should never overpower any space. An insider tip: It’s crucial to measure how the front door opens and if any other doorways are in the area of the future purchase. Begin by measuring the entire foyer, including length and width. After these measurements, subtract the preferred amount of floor desired to remain visible after adding a rug from the wall. On average, households prefer to see anywhere from 6” and 18” of visible flooring under their entryway rug. A front door entrance rug is not limited to size or shape. The TSAR design team recommends clients use a rectangular or square entryway rug if the space is long and narrow. For wider areas or households with arched front doors or double-stair entryways, TSAR encourages clients to choose a round entryway rug design. HOW TO CHOOSE AN ENTRYWAY RUG MATERIAL After understanding the calculations, the fun begins! Shop the TSAR Collections and discover artisanal hand-tufted designs or work with our team to develop an idea we haven’t brought to life yet. When shopping for the right foyer rug, four preferred fabrics are found in households across the globe. SISAL AND JUTE RUGS Sisal and jute rugs are natural, plant-based materials that absorb moisture and are very durable. For clients considering this option, we recommend daily vacuuming to keep the material fresh and hanging to dry if larger water spills collide with the rug. WOOL Wool is a luxurious and high-end material for entryway rugs. The material is durable, easy to clean, and stain and water-resistant. It is an easy choice for designers to work with a preferred material with the TSAR artisanal team. SYNTHETIC FABRICS TSAR Carpets continues to minimize the use of synthetic fabrics but currently includes designs featuring Kristal and Nylon6. These fabrics are stain-resistant and a more affordable option with a similar finish to luxury fabrics. ENTRYWAY RUG SIZE GUIDE FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS Q: Should I buy a carpet runner or focus on an entryway rug? A: The answer to this question depends on the size and space in question. The TSAR team recommends answering whether the room would benefit from narrow and long additions. Runners typically have measurements 2’ to 3’ wide and 6’ to 14’ in length. While they are not always a good fit for entryways, they can work with laundry rooms, garages, or mudrooms. Q: Can my entryway rug complement light fixtures? A: Yes! The right entryway rug will only add depth and character to the room, including complimenting pre-existing light fixtures. If possible, the TSAR design team encourages households to center the rug under the light fixture. A unique decorating option is also to match the shape of the entryway rug to the shape of your light fixtures. Q: What is a rug pad? A: The term “rug pad” or “rug grip” is commonly seen while searching for answers on the best rugs for front doorways. This is extra material added to rugs to prevent movement on flooring. During the TSAR production process, we already ensure our rugs are non-slip, meaning they will not need additional underlay if placed on hard flooring surfaces. If the rug is placed on a carpeted surface, the TSAR team recommends adding a rug grip product to prevent movement.