Sorry I am so late coming to your site - you are an inspiration to all, homeowners and advisers alike. For your planting advice, I suggest you call Merrifield Garden Center to see if they will come out your way. They currently have wonderful garden centers in Merrifield and Fairfax (both in Fairfax County) and a new one in Gainesville, but they may come further south to wherever you reside. (www.MerrifieldGardenCenter.com) Even if they don't send designers to your area, they are worth a trip to see their huge selection for a day of pleasure and inspiration, or to pick up some plants. Most of my clients are in the Fairfax and greater Washington area, but I am currently living out west below Front Royal, VA on the Shenandoah mountainside - wonderful views. cascio.offsite@gmail.com

after watching my daughter and her husband agonize over the way their expensive timber floor has not held up well after 3 years, I would recommend tiles/wood look tiles with under heating. Their beautiful warm expensive floor looks like it always needs a clean and polish, not from neglect, they have cared for it well. One of the boards now has a slight and painful moan when it's stepped on :-( I grew up in a completely wood floor home and although it looked wonderful, my Mother hated it. ....and the mats ! Wood is a lot harder to maintain than tiles ,(no matter what the die hards say) the modern wood finishes are much better than they used to be.... But a piece of wood is rather arty no matter what it's used for and it does demand to be loved and cared for.....and if something goes wrong it's a lot more expensive to fix than sand and cement. Ultimately you have to be happy. BTW underheating tiles is warmer than timber :-)

Hello. We have a little ski chalet which is an A frame, the upstairs floor has had the carpet taken oust due to wear and the jib boards have been Polyrethaned. We want to cover the floor inexpensively (so we can rent it) to reduce noise and cover the small gaps at the edges where the light comes in from below. There are beams that make carpeting expensive (need to cut around), are there any other options? Rugs don't seem to cut it. Thanks .

I'm looking for a vinyl flooring, for a bathroom renovation. Something patterned in an encaustic tile style or similar, grey or pale tones. Is there anywhere in NZ - a few found at Flooringxtra, but would like some more options - or suggestions. I would also consider a white with black design. The shower floor will be either in white - or possibly pale grey tile.