Texture is always good, perhaps some metals? Not sure where the building is or what you are going for. For the interior I have some art I have recently completed that would look awesome and make a nice statement. I also do commission work. I have recently completed some that would look great. All are original acrylic paintings on heavy gallery wrapped canvas. Please contact me at julie@jul313.com for further info or check out my website at www.jul313.com.

I am a farmer and my husband and I regularly uses all manner of chemicals on our paddocks as do most non organic farmers so that we can get the most out of the crops. I fully understand your concerns but it is unfortunately, the nature of the beast that people want hay and crops without weeds. My husband has done a chemical users course and has been trained in the correct use of the chemicals he both uses and doesn't use and I believe is very well informed. Have either of you done a course??...just read internet information? If you were a broadacre farmer, you might as well sell up as not use chemicals unfortunately!! I haven't told anyone that they must use glyphosate, my response came from questions asked.

I read that some people use Round-Up on poison ivy. I just want to caution that, if you burn poison ivy, even when it is dead, it can put off fumes. Breathing the fumes can give you the rash in your mouth and throat. So don't burn it, dead or alive. Wear protective clothing, including gloves and a mask, when clearing out poison ivy. Pack in trash bags and secure well. Some areas have people that will come out (for pay, of course) and clear your poison ivy. I have also used Round-Up on it; although am reconsidering that now.

Housesketcher: Spend your money on amending the soil for now. Most master gardeners will tell you 90 cents of every dollar spent on a garden should be spent on your soil. If it hasn't been tested, contact your local extension service, buy a testing kit online or at your garden center, or https://www.thebalance.com/how-to-test-soil-acidity-alkalinity-without-a-test-kit-1388584 https://www.rodalesorganiclife.com/garden/10-easy-soil-tests you'll need to find out what needs to be added to the soil, especially if it's been compacted by machinery. Are you in the correct zone for a Mediterranean garden (little to no summer rain, temperate climate year round, sandy or quick draining soil) otherwise you might not have much success long term and would have to replant every couple of years. And if your soil is clay you'll need to do a lot of amending for Mediterranean plants to succeed. The best times for planting are in Autumn and Spring, so if you amend your soil for now and draw up a plan, sketch out your ideas and research what plants to add, by the time October or March comes around everything should be ready to go and you can buy your plants or seeds. I'm glad you're not just going to put in a lawn and good luck to you. [https://www.houzz.com/magazine/get-the-dirt-on-your-gardens-soil-stsetivw-vs~63577554[(https://www.houzz.com/magazine/get-the-dirt-on-your-gardens-soil-stsetivw-vs~63577554) [https://www.houzz.com/magazine/what-to-do-this-fall-to-build-healthy-garden-soil-stsetivw-vs~76125244[(https://www.houzz.com/magazine/what-to-do-this-fall-to-build-healthy-garden-soil-stsetivw-vs~76125244) [https://www.houzz.com/magazine/how-to-find-the-right-plants-for-your-garden-stsetivw-vs~28893625[(https://www.houzz.com/magazine/how-to-find-the-right-plants-for-your-garden-stsetivw-vs~28893625) [https://www.houzz.com/magazine/houzz-call-what-are-your-spring-gardening-plans-stsetivw-vs~60166694[(https://www.houzz.com/magazine/houzz-call-what-are-your-spring-gardening-plans-stsetivw-vs~60166694) [https://www.houzz.com/magazine/the-best-winter-garden-project-plan-for-next-year-stsetivw-vs~20391646[(https://www.houzz.com/magazine/the-best-winter-garden-project-plan-for-next-year-stsetivw-vs~20391646) [https://www.houzz.com/magazine/get-a-head-start-on-planning-your-garden-even-if-its-snowing-stsetivw-vs~43825694[(https://www.houzz.com/magazine/get-a-head-start-on-planning-your-garden-even-if-its-snowing-stsetivw-vs~43825694) https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/query/mediterranean-garden https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/query/no-lawn-garden