Dear @judibutler I assume you are referring to a wall which is wholly above ground and that you have completely ruled out damp tracking into the wall from above. A lot depends on the size and thickness of the wall and other factors, such as if the building is listed. Damp penetration (driving rain) through granite walls has been an ongoing problem in church towers in the southwest of England for some time. Ironically the problem often seems to get worse after re-pointing in lime. Granite is fairly impervious and was often in laid in large blocks meaning trapped water has little chance of getting out through thin mortar joints. Historic England held an excellent conference on the subject in 2013; the transcript of proceedings can be found at: http://content.historicengland.org.uk/content/docs/research/damp-towers-conf2013-programme-transcripts.pdf A roughcast lime render coat may help, but there could equally be voids in the wall which are holding damp and may need grouting. However, grouting is a very tricky and expensive technique which should not be undertaken lightly, and only works if one knows exactly where the voids are. Over-cladding the whole wall with semi-sacrificial weather boarding may be a last resort. This and rendering are likely to require planning consent. Depending on where you are located, a company like ArchiMetric (www.archimetrics.co.uk) could insert some interstitial moisture monitors into the wall to try and find out exactly where and when the damp is getting in and how it is moving through the wall, but this may be expensive. Some localised investigation by dismantling pockets of stone may be useful. The Society of Ancient Buildings helpline (mornings only on 020 7456 0916) may be able to help with specialists in your area. Most importantly try to get an understanding of how water is getting into and moving through your wall before you embark on anything. If your problems relate to below-ground damp then a different response will be needed.

We have just purchased what we hope to be our last house. It is a very big plot and we are looking to knock down and get planning for a very large house over 4 floors. (12,000 sq ft). We know what we want internally however our issue lies with the external look and feel. My wife wants classic new build, with pillar entrance, sash box windows with stone cills or surroundings (Surrey Commuter belt!). I like contempory white, modern, square, glass walls, feature cladded walls with balconies (Beverly Hills!) Our compromise is classic at the front contempory at the rear. We need help! Hopeful designjunction will help offer solutions so we can move forward.

I have an old 70's style galley kitchen n utility, updating by changing, wall n floor tiles n keeping cupboards and ancient non Meile appliances - could really do with help with kitchen design as I need lots of storage space and having new appliances would be a dream as my dishwasher is on its last legs and no space currently for a fridge- this project has been going on since last Summer with builders letting us down we are still waiting for new builders to start -if I were to win a place to come to your appliance day it would be fab and if you need a kitchen to create your magic in , it would be a dream come true . I will be fasting throughout June as it will be Ramadan but I wanted to enter even though I wouldn't be able to eat anything because the experience is too good an opportunity for me to miss so any day would be ok as I am desperate to get help especially as my budget is so limited . Thank you for considering me . I believe in serendipity and feel fortunate to have come across this just in time as today is 16th! Have I said enough to get me a place I wonder ? Lol!

Hi Claire ! Adding some thoughts .... If the carpet is going - try to replace it with something equally sound deadening - as otherwise his late night games with the lads will keep everyone below up - with all that pacing and pondering before a shot ! Re decision to go for industrial or gentleman's club - (luckily the lamp will suit either) - which of the two fits in better with the other rooms that lead to or will be enjoyed by guests prior to entering this one.... and which style might you expect from the exterior of the house ? Do you want cohesion with the rest of the home - or is the the wild card room ? If the table is to be the main feature of the room - then don't go too dark on your lower paint colour or it wall blend in too well. But if this IS the effect - then perhaps try ALL graphite - ceilings too ( try a paint a photo app and see if this works for you ) Then add brighter bar seating and warm lighting in that area to make that the prominent piece . Add a separately switched strong white light to aim at the dart board - and I you do go for panelling here too- I'd suggest you mount the dartboard on a layer of either cork or dark rubber matting. I'd suggest, to keep the feel of a billiards room, only light the bar area, and have low lamps in each corner of the room, that can be switched off individually if they interfere with a shot. Nb. As the ceiling is so low - I'd suggest the bar be in the front of the window - so the players can stand upright in that bit much easier. Hope that helps a bit !