I was 24 and my husband to be 32, back in 1978, we paid £19,500 for a 3 bed terrace in south London. Our eldest son bought in 2001 when he was 19 and on a small Royal Navy salary whist at university, sadly he sold it to pay for his wedding and hasn't got back on the ladder since. Our middle son bought aged 23 and our daughter with her then boyfriend bought their first flat at 21 and 22 straight from university in 2008 with one of the last 100% mortgages, they move next week into their third property aged 29 & 30. It's always difficult to get on the ladder but the sooner you start the better. We all live in Surrey by the way and nobody has been funded by the bank of mum and dad.

Speaking from London I copy the habits of hot countries. Blinds have to be down before the sun hits the windows, then open the windows through the flat, not necessarily so much on the side being hit on the sun. Create a through draft from front to back, obviously windows have to be shut when you are out but leave blinds down or curtains closed then too. I have an old mansion flat and live on the ground floor so there are some inbuilt advantages from the solid walls and position. Energy required, me walking backwards and forwards closing blinds and opening and shutting windows. With the forecasts of ever increasing energy prices and warmer climate we need to design in low energy cooling methods as well as heating. In the future we may need to use our chimneys to bring in cold air at night to cool buildings as is done traditionally in the middle east.

All year round! Alitex ensures conservatories are made to the highest standards with controlled ventilation for keeping cool in summer yet in winter the insulation and precision allows you to keep warm and weather protected.

It's lovely and big! I think the problem is that it doesn't seem to have any purpose. I would put a narrow table or cupboards under that lovely mirror where the upholstered chair is now, with a plant on it and some nice ceramics. That would be a good place to keep keys etc and you could put gloves and scarves in the drawers or in baskets next to it. You could consider papering one wall with something quite bold. Do you hang coats in the hall? The upholstered chair would be a good place to sit and remove or put on outdoor shoes and boots, with baskets or a shoe rack next to it. Some art work on the walls, more plants and a rug or runner would finish it off, and make it look welcoming. And you'd still have room for the playhouse!