Get the professional sander guys in to repair the living areas and kitchen but don't go too dark with the stain as it will kill the lovely grain in the matai. I'm thinking a couple of tones richer than the timber knots showing in your photo, definitely no yellow tone at all. In NZ stepping on to carpet especially in a kiwi winter is so much nicer than a cold floor board shock!!! A nice area rug for the lounge and you're done.

Hi Suz38, Being a creative business you can get away then the most offices so if you can take the challenge and have some fun turning your client meeting room into something crisp bright and colourful. Paint: walls a matt bright white, table - white high gloss white. Chairs: using colour therapy philosphy each chair should be a solid colour - yellow, green, and blue - yellow for optimism, green for creativity, blue for trustworthiness. This subtly sets the mood for the meetings you want to take place in this room. Art: Hang pieces of abstract art using the above colours (you could even have the staff paint them as part of a team building exercise). Lighting: LED strip lighting with covers at skirting board/floor level it'll make the room feel bigger. The covers are imperative for this idea to be appropriate. LED sconces in a sleek architectural design - put one or a pair on the longest wall Then group 12-16 mini 3W LED down lights over the centre of the table these down lights are small lights usually used in cabinet but look spectacular when used in non-traditional ways. During the day they'll add more light to the table and if you keep these grouped on a different light switch/gang you can use it after hours it's perfect for client/staff drinks. It's a very modern and looks glamourous without being over the top. Good luck - show us what you end up with, I'd love to see it.

Far out! This bathroom is amazing. How did you make the light? Definitely a work of art within itself! The glass door is also amazing, I'm such a fan of stained glass in the right circumstances, and this room is definitely the right circumstances. I'm in love.

Thanks for your comments everyone. We've taken your advice (Luke and NH) and changed the island to a rectangle (1200 x 3000). We lose one breakfast bar seat but gain storage and dining room space plus it shortens the distances from the island to the cooktops. It also removes the need for a corner carousel. We're much happier with this result. Dairy_maid, we've done what you suggested and walked through some common tasks. Overall it works reasonably well although we may keep some coffee spoons and butter knives in the scullery drawers for morning toast and coffee. We've also invested in a "silent" rangehood which has the motor on the outside of the house behind the fridge and we've upgraded the scullery sink to one that is 600 x 400 (internal size). Fabrication starts tomorrow. Woohoo. Once again, thanks so much for taking the time to respond. The design has been significantly improved with your input.