This ia a really old article. My third drawer now houses all those 'one off' bits and pieces that don't warrant a drawer for themselves and their ilk. Amazingly, when I need...that thinamejig or whatzit that would do the trick its always in the thrid drawer. tangled up with all the other 'third drawer' one offs. So - third drawer for whatever you need! Pretty good system really. Apologies to the professional cabinet makers who cater to the super organised...drawers with partitions. Honestly, if I absolutely had to live according to the norm.."a place for everything and everything in its place" I'd go a bit batty trying to remember what was supposed to occupy what partition and I think, the way my mind works, I'd feel quite frustrated. I don't have time to be super duper organised down to the colour coding, the things of square or round shape, the plastics and the chinas...and I certainly do not posess a china cabinet where to display all the expensive and heirloom dinnerware. that would never get used...can't see the sense. In fact, I only have six drawers in my kitchen and a nice large 100yr old built in linen and pantry cupboard down the length of the hallway that was built to house the basic kitchen utensils and also has room for any modrn appliances. My kitchen is small, functional, individual ane compact, My beautiful wrinkly assistance dog has his own drawer...and he diligently takes out and replaces his "stuff". My bits and pieces live in the third drawer and when all is put way there's a sense of ease in my kitchen.

Grandma would say... "How are you going, Smiffy?" I thought of your friend Kate Thomas, at work the other day. There was an ad on the radio about breast screening and that led me to think of Kate and her work helping to detect disease and protect our health. Subsequently that led me to wonder if you are on top of things. I hope you are getting lots of Wolfie loves. There's nothing like the cuddles from a Wolfie to help a person to feel better. I don't know how to finish this, so..... I am sure I'm not the only one thinking of you. Please be strong.

Process of elimination. What style is your house - if it's an older house, say 30's or federation & the exterior's in its original style then something along traditional lines for your front door. On the exterior doors you can get a handle or knob on a plate with deadlock or handle/knob & separate deadlock - either way it's convenient to get all exterior sets keyed alike. Once you get inside is the interior style in keeping with the exterior or is it updated/more contemporary? if so you could go with contemporary style door furniture. Decide if you prefer a lever type handle or a knob. If you have children or older residents levers work well. Then there's finishes to consider - shiny chrome or gold/brass, satin finish, brushed chrome, nickel, oil rubbed. Black & brushed brass door furniture are becoming popular. If you're kitting out every room you'll probably want privacy sets in the bathrooms & WC's, so choose a range that includes these options. Google companies like Gainsborough, Delf, Domino, for their ranges. Depending on your price point there are imported ranges if you search under door furniture. http://www.doorhandles.com.au isn't a bad site for research as they show pricing & have traditional & contemporary ranges.

I'll be the weird one ( well , maybe along with differentways ) and say that I actually like the contrast of the darker beam with all the lighter ceiling and cabinets -- in my opinion , if you matched it to everything else , it would just look more of the same . Differentways said about Jap Black -- I'd possibly go a more 'solid' charcoal or similar , but yeah -- almost make a feature of it . By the way , I am from New Zealand , and we have houses called Lockwoods ( thats a brand name ) . Google them -- they've been around 50 or 60 years , it is really innovative where they make the entire house out of timber with an aluminium siding ( cover on one side ) that locks together and makes a super strong house , with minimal framing , and lots of wood on display . Oh , and they withstand hurricanes and the like . This place has some similar design elements , different construction , but google and see the Lockwood homes !