Your H&G Readers’ letters.

Thank you for Belinda Graham’s fantastic Reno Lessons Learnt feature (October). I can honestly say I’ve never read a more practical, down-to-earth article about the process of building. So much of Belinda’s advice had me saying “Wow, I’ll have to remember that!” She also confirmed some of my own thoughts about making practical choices for a family, and I now have more confidence about my design decisions.

I will definitely be filing it away for future reference! Sarah Johnson, Woori Yallock, Victoria Driving ambition Double Take (October) was a fascinating article – what a fabulous way to regenerate an unused space! Garages and driveways can get shabby after a while and a new garden can really make a house look fresh. My parents no longer drive, so this sort of transformation would be perfect for their home, and it’s a project I’m keen to do with them. I will probably seek the advice of a professional landscape gardener, but my parents and I want to roll up our sleeves and do the gardening ourselves. Bryan Kemp, Kingswood, NSW Future perfect We are planning a renovation to see our family into the future and have been working with our architect to create a home that will be sustainable and reduce our carbon footprint. The August issue’s sustainability focus delivered so many great ideas and helped us clarify and cement our wish list in terms of materials and colours. Imagine our surprise to see, on page 23, the precise metal staircase our architect suggested, in all its vibrant red glory. Thanks again for such a wonderful issue. Kate Heffer, Manifold Heights, Victoria Balm for the soul Thank you, thank you, thank you for the imagery of the beautiful Melbourne kitchen by POLYStudio (Sweetness & Light, September). I am coming to the end of renovating my little home and have longed for a peaceful blue or green in my bathroom. It’s the last room to be painted and I have tried every tester under the sun. All were too cool, too minty or moody, and never looked on my wall like they did on the tester cards. But, thanks to your story, I’ve found the one for me: Dulux Blue Balm. Naomi Biggs, Delacombe, Victoria