Thanks for all the great ideas everyone and sorry I didn't explain the polycarbonate a bit better :) This is along the lines of what we'll be using... http://www.psp.co.nz/building-brands/corrugated-sheeting/suntuf-polycarbonate The area is an absolute sun trap and we're hoping to use it as an extension to our living space, especially on rainy days! I've just sent my husband out to get a few pots of different stains for is to try - darkest brown (cedar) and a lighter brown (rustic oak) both by Cabots + the black we already have. Hopefully we can decide between one of those! I probably should have mentioned we will have black aluminium pool fencing running along the top of the second retaining wall - so the real question is do we keep everything black (pool fencing, horizontal fence, retaining walls and pergola) or do we go with a dark (or even light) brown for the pergola and retaining walls.... We just keep going around in circles at the moment. Decisions, decisions! Thanks again :)

Hi Ang, I thought I'd follow up my earlier comment with pictures of before and after of pine cupboards I specified to be painted in a budget makeover. My clients tell me people presumed they had purchased brand new cabinetry, so startling was the makeover. Somehow I have put the "after" on the left and "before" image on the right!

It's definitely more centered than mine is! My house was built in 1945 when stoves were a lot bigger and that's why my range hood is bigger than my electric stove. Anyway, when you put up your floating shelves, you can either make the left size longer and the right side shorter. It will work that way unless you want symmetry. Then, I would suggest you make the shelves the same size and put them up in the same position on both sides of the range hood, just like a mirror image.

If it's brand new, have you tried asking the supplier what they recommend? We got a booklet from our supplier when we got new carpet with ways to treat various stains on that particular carpet. Each kind of carpet will be different. Also, have you tried a professional carpet cleaner? If all else fails, try your luck with your insurance company - I know others who have got carpet replaced because of bad stains - depends on your policy.