There are tons of papers available that would go with your midcentury home. Many people tire of a paper quicker than they are ready to redecorate and they can also look dated in a couple of years. Metallic papers were big im midcentury...perhaps a metallic silver paper? Are you also considering paint? You can get it in so many textures and a blue wall to match the blue in your loveseat would be lovely with some midcentury art and sculpture, or photographs on it. A mirrored wall with or without art or sculpture would also work with midcentury. These treatments are easier to adapt should you wish to change the look slightly from time to time. I would suggest replacing your stairrail with chrome or acrylic if that is in the budget...see how well the loveseat frame looks with the fabric? I hope you will post the "after" photos for us to see. Above all, enjoy the process!

I love our island bench in the mornings - I have 4 kids, 3 of which are teenagers, and the morning rush to get out to school is chaotic. The kids all come through to the kitchen at different times for their breakfast, which I have set up on the bench, and they can just grab what they want, sit on a barstool and gobble it quick. Then it's just the kitchen bench that needs a good clean after breakfast. don't have to worry with the dining table. Evening meals are a different story though, I believe families should sit down together at the dining room table.

A very simple layout keeping the floor space within the kitchen, the WIP takes up a lot of space with not much gain, The broom cupboard could be moved to the Laundry/entrance, narrow. If the wall has been bumped out to the eaves on the deck side giving an extra 300 depth to the kitchen you could make the island 2700 x 1200 and all drawers. The wall of narrow pantry will hold all pantry needs and more, no deep cupboards to dig into. cheers

We've recently shifted into a re-developed 1980s home. This front garden has been stripped of former shrubs and trees and re-planted. There is nice topsoil for about and 3-5cm, then it's very wet, clay-like and difficult to dig. There are a lot of notorious weeds including clover, buttercup and two types of ivy. The jasmine (creeper in the centre) is going because we suffer hay fever. I'm considering an evergreen clematis in it's place. I'm concerned that some of these shrubs will grow much too big for the spot. I'm not really fond of some of the low growing ones either. And my biggest concern is the soil... So, BIGgest question number one: should I remove all of these plants and treat the soil? It needs a good rotary hoe, compost dug in, covered with weedmat for a season in an effort to kill off the weeds... etc etc I could pot the shrubs and either keep them for replanting when the garden is ready, or sell them. I'd like to include some sort of feature (stone item?) and a pretty small ornamental like a japanese maple or maybe crab apple. Maybe some sort of rockery, or being part shady could include some woodland plants instead.. Or even a short meandering path as the garden is quite wide (and my 4yo loves to run through it of course...) I guess what I do with it the options are endless. Probably worth noting that this garden is alongside our front path and front entranceway. But is it worth ripping out those shrubs and starting over with the soil, or do I leave the soil be and simply re-arrange what is there? Thanks for your help!