I have only one old house book on the coffee table. "Inside the Bungalow (America's Arts & Crafts Interior)" by Paul Duchscheree and Douglas Keister.

I'm not sure what kind of input you're looking for, but I'm a noob with little construction experience. I do however, like the second example. Everyone around here is doing the Arbor(?) patio covering. I like the finished look of the second example, and think it would do more to add to the value of the house. Also, is that decking or concrete in the second example. Regardless, I like it. Not to contradict myself, because I do like the look of more finished/traditional (?) patio, but look at this patio: Here is a link that might be useful: Interesting patio

Your kitchen is lovely! No wonder it is getting a turn under the spotlight! Enjoy.

Yeah, at that price if there's even just a few interesting roses in this book (avail.in Oz) I'll probably have to go for the impulse buy too.James might have to buy a bigger wallet if all the rose lunatics on these Aussie forums are any indication of the market for such a book.Hope I can manage to spot it at our newsagent! Thrip