Thanks everyone for the warnings. Honestly I had not thought that could be possible so just in case I'll gear up with a mask to avoid inhaling any of it. I will still need to remove it, but from what I read the problem with asbestos is if you sand it and make it into breathable particles, so ripping it out should be ok. I've looked up in youtubr and there seems to be a tool called mastic remover that you can put on your floor sander and it would scratch the surface removing any of that stuff.

We solve this issue with our clients all of the time with outdoor water features. We recommend getting a water wall that is suitable for both indoor and outdoor use. Not only will they drown out the noise but will also act as a nice privacy wall. https://www.soothingwalls.com/outdoor-fountains/glass-outdoor-fountains.html

I didn't see this either , and how long is a piece of string ? Wellington ( a bit like parts of Queenstown ) is known for steep slopes and high winds , so the actual design will affect things a lot -- my sister once 'conned' me into moving her to Wellington when she got a Government job . We loaded one of my small trucks and drove several hours , when we got to her new place on the side of Mt Victoria with lovely harbour views , it seems she had forgotten to mention that the new house was the one up there -- yes , a 1920's build 130 steps up from the street . Hard enough moving a glass fronted china cabinet and solid Kauri 1880s dining table -- imagine carting every bit of timber , tile , window , kitchen appliance up there !

Does your lounge need an update? Take a look at the images down below and see how the use of pattern, colour, texture, and furniture placement can transform a room from an outdated and impractical space to a sophisticated, welcoming, and simply put gorgeous area that is perfect for entertaining. This project has beautifully pieced together a rug from Designer Rugs, David Shaw seating, Fabrics by James Dunlop, and a coffee table specially designed by yours truly, DesignworX. Often I see seating in a lounge area placed awkwardly. Sometimes the furniture is all against one wall so you sit in a row like in a movie theatre, sometimes all the seating is pushed to the perimeter of a room and the space between seating is too far away, or all facing into the TV corner when you have the potential of seeing the trees. The key to successful furniture placement is creating a comfortable connection, with the people you are communicating with, and with the focal point of the space. It's not easy to communicate when you are all in a row, so having seating at right angles or opposite means you can connect. If you have an outdoor area, then orientate the furniture to connect with that, if you have a large room... pull the furniture off the walls so you can speak without having to yell across a room. My pet hate is having the TV as the only focal point, a fire or outdoor area is far more inviting. Let's talk YELLOW... Did you know that the yellow wavelength is relatively long and essentially stimulating. The stimulus is emotional, therefore yellow is the strongest colour, psychologically. The right yellow will lift our spirits and our self-esteem and is often seen and used as a bright happy colour. Too much of it, or the wrong tone in relation to the other tones in a colour scheme, can cause self-esteem to plummet, giving rise to fear and anxiety. It can create too much energy in the muscles by activating the motor nerves a some shades of yellow can heighten your anxiety levels and heart rate within about 45 seconds! In the featured lounge, we used yellow in a rich bronze grounding shade to work in with other aged brass elements in the space. It feels warm and cozy and makes a design statement. Check out the entire project here, as well as a walk-through!