Those are wise words Karen! am so glad it worked out for you. Love to see a photo, what colour or shade did you choose? Jools, The bitumen is a right pig, best way we found is to make it cold, so it becomes brittle, then you can scrape /chip it off. We used a window scraper, coarse wire wool and various sandpaper. We left the window open on a cold night, turned heating off in there, and you could try a cooler fan on it. Putting ice bags on it didn't work as well as we hoped. we used a round sander, but it can cause swirls, it's really awkward ! To be honest a few dips and scratches on an old floor are okay in the end, don't be too afraid of it, they are only pieces of wood stuck down on the floor, not bone china, as long as you try not to break them, or set fire to them, otherwise you can't possibly do more damage than I did, and they recovered!

Hello R Countryside, In terms of designing any one aspect of your home, I would be looking at the entire project in order to be best informed as to how to treat any one area. Having a cohesive scheme throughout gives not only a well thought and professional finish to a home but provides flow throughout.. I would be focusing on you and your home in order to give you the designed home you really want. Tapping into what you really like-Taking into consideration how you use your home and the needs and requirements you have for it. My idea of kitchen for example has none of the betty crocker elements but offers a more stylish ideal as to what a kitchen needs to be so you don't get something that is the same as every other, so it's a beautiful room in its own right.... For truly stylish design you need someone who's looking at every aspect not just spatially.. My range of services include design, styling, specification and procurement.. Also consider if you're working with any existing pieces or furnishings as these need to be woven into the scheme beautifully... :))

Our bedroom is only half done (or maybe a bit more!) so it's top of my list with reinstating a fire and buying a too dear chair I've got my eye on (plus lots of accessories as it's rather bare!). Second on the list is flooring, I have this in my hall and dining room, we installed walnut in the living room but would rather have it running throughout (but toned down a little) even though I do actually prefer a herringbone parquet. I could then brave solid wood in the kitchen (!) or find something to complement. I'm hoping the upstairs floorboards and stairs are in good condition as the carpet desperately needs to go!

www.trajanstone.com Choosing the right slab thickness, colour and style for your project and cutting it to exact requirements, while keeping wastage to a minimum!