Thanks for the tips about drying linen! I've often gotten this wrong.

Awesome upholstering job! The cobalt blue really compliments the peacock print nicely, whilst also making the chairs more fun and youthful

I've heard that there's specially designed outdoor fabrics but I'm not sure if they're available in New Zealand - you could have a look around the web to see if there are places that ship to NZ! :)

I am blown away from down under by the help that you all have freely given .... thank you sooo much indeed. who would have thought after a year of anguish that I would be put out of my misery! If I do go for the atlantic for chairs I will bring in plum touches and vice versa. Will now need to go and find some plum that closely aligns with your suggestions. Thanks for saying we can keep table! It is a good solid NZ made oak one ... chairs were all the rage back about 18 years ago! Now need to go! I will put up a pic of a rug that was quite nice but rather expensive so ... might be in an hour or so. Thank you so much again.