Can I suggest looking into having a quantity surveyor assess your property (and you can claim the cost of having this done). They will provide a depreciation schedule for you which will tell you how much each item will depreciate in value over the maximum number of years you can claim. If an item is at the end of its depreciable life, they will tell you what you are able to replace. Even if you only have tenants for a short while, you are able to claim depreciation for a pro-rata period that your asset is income producing. What all this means for you in terms of design - there may be ways to improve the look of your property in line with what you will want it to look like when you eventually move in, which could gain you a tax benefit. Of course, you have to have the $$ to spend on it in the first place. Oh - and in terms of furniture - do you know about Casey Auctions in Hallam? they are close by and you may pick up some really good bargains. I know we did!

Even though that is a fairly small space you could put some decorative trellises just in front of the fence with some ever flowering vines on them. Install a paver patio between them and the windows you hope to transform into doors.. You could also have the wisteria trained onto a pergola that would create a little shade for the patio as well. Some beautiful potted specimens/flowers and a couple of attractive outdoor chairs and you would have created a beautiful "picture" to act as a focus to the room. Additionally you have extra space for entertaining. Obviously the reason the previous owner obscured the window was because there wasn't much to look at. By creating a "view," you change the dynamic of the room as well as getting the light you want. Actual light will brighten the room like no change of floor would.

Lots of good ideas here. If you do have a carpet remnant overstitched along edges, be sure to specify the thread is to MATCH the colour of carpet. I know this sounds like a no-brainer, BUT we had long and wide carpet runners made up, colour was dark brown. When we unrolled them, low and behold the overstivhers had used WHITE thread. We were stupefied. Who knew one must specify the obvious! Anyway, hubby had a brilliant idea: he used black magic marker and carefully coloured over the white. You would never know it had ever been anything but!

Hi Belinda, Here are some important things to consider. Moisture is your greatest enemy when it comes to cleaning terrazzo. The material is very porous, easily stained, and can easily be etched by acids. We recommend an alkaline cleaner and degreaser for best results. Upon sealing, the floors should only be cleaned with a neutral pH cleaner; all-purpose cleaners that contain crystallizing salts, alkali, or acids should be avoided, as well as those cleaners that are water soluble. If you are considering cleaning the tiles with a gerni ensure that the grout and divider strips are in good condition. You should not use sweeping compounds that contain oil as these will penetrate your terrazzo floors and permanently discolor it. In our humble opinion terrazzo floors are very nice to look at and can be easy to maintain as long as it is properly grouted and sealed. This said, terrazzo is quite easy to tile over. However, make sure you are familiar with correct 'tile fall' techniques before you start mixing your grout. Megasealed also provide bathroom tiling solutions as very reasonable prices. Where are you based? We can give you a no-obligation free quote if you give us a call on 1300 658 007 or contact us through our website.