If I understand the seasons in India correctly, you have already been through the rainy season. Don't wait until the next rainy season to get the problem with your drainage fixed. Now will probably be the ideal time to get it fixed. Please get someone who will tell you what to do and then have the work done. The paint on that wall in your beautiful home will keep coming off!

Hi I am writing from the middle east and would like to get help with re-doing my drawing/dining room. I like to re do it with a totally new look but am at a loss as to how to place my furniture differently- I always seem to come up with the same arrangement! I favour ethnic/ contemporary/ minimalist. We need at least 2 sets of seating since we always have many guests and regularly have informal meetings of committees where we are members. I need to change the beige main sofa altogether since it is very old (23 years) and has started sagging even after several re upholstering jobs. I don't have the cane sofa anymore- would like to get suggestions for replacing it with something which will give a similar use. I like to keep my chinese dining table and chairs but can change the buffet. The room measures 20 ft x 27.5 ft (6.0 m x 8.30 m ) Has a 2 doors - both on the same, long side of the rectangle , at two extreme ends. The other long side of the rectangle has tall windows, from one end to the other. The short sides are plain walls. The photos are not very good- sorry I hope somebody will be able to help me .. need to re-do it soon since we have a big event in the family coming up within a month. Thank you all in advance

Tsilanko, I would always recommend professional installation where needed. But what I am doing here is suggesting that WHEN you are planning to build or renovate, to consider how your plans will affect you in 20 or 30 years time. Split levels are very hep when you are young. A kitchen 3 steps down at 30 is rarely a problem, but might be a hazard at 60, or, as Marjie1059 suggested, if you break a leg. ... All my parents' homes were terrible for old people. They were forced to move to a bungalow in extreme old sge because the location and design of their home was more suitable for an active young couple with a large family than for an elderly couple with stroke disabilities. I would not want to move again, so my present home has features built in that make ageing in place simpler. Mostly small changes, like grab rails, and lever handles on doors and faucets. A major disability suddenly suffered requires major changes if permanent. I did look at this because it came up in the discussion, but if you look at the heading, Planning for Disability, it means just that. Plan ahead so you don't have to make expensive changes later on. But thank you for your advice, yes, major changes are not in the DIY domain.

I looked at the brochure but I could not find exactly what color or pattern Caesarstone has in India. I'd like the look of a "marble" Caesarstone for the counters and the back splash with your blue cabinets. I don't know if this is possible, though. I have granite in my kitchen and I the have counter and back splash in the same granite and I have loved it for 15 years. Do they have induction cook tops in India? They are wonderful, too.