Great idea!

I bought this "rubber tree" at Home Depot years ago. At least I think it's what we call a Rubber Tree. It's been growing tall but can't support its weight. One summer I brought it outside where the wind strengthened the main stem enough to keep it strong. The next summer it was too tall to ever support itself no matter how much I tried to strengthen the main stem. I topped it to keep it from growing taller until it got a stronger stem. This is actually two trees next to each other. I wound the together hoping that would help. Neither of them are branching out, only growing taller. Ideally I want this to grow tall and then bushy on the top. My home is 62 (F) at night and 68 (F) at day. We have lower humidity in Colorado. It has plenty of light and the window is west facing with south windows as well. I used Gritty Mix, with Foliage Pro fertilizer and water once a week. In the photo it's leaning against the wall to keep from bending over, otherwise it can't support its weight. Any ideas? Thank you!

i installed the bracing from underneath the floor and pushed the short lengths of timber along the bearers glued and nailed in place without any cross bracing because i wanted to use up scraps of timber at minimal extra costs and i had to install the pieces laying flat on my back underneath the house. .luckily you have much better access but didn't need to worry about the impact of my rough bracing on a plasterboard ceiling like you do...hopefully you will receive more ideas

Hi Amy, I haven't had a lot of success reading dimensions but I make the following suggestions to you. By running the Island of a support wall will allow you to open up both walls on either side to ceiling height. If My dimensions are correct you will also have enough space to run a WIP behind the kitchen and connecting to the BBQ and Outdoor kitchen. The WIP could be divided for dual purpose and you could also open to the WIP from both ends of the wall cabinets. You mention 4 Kids needing a study desk within that space, without correct dimensions I could suggest that a desk backs onto the laundry wall and keeping the living room space free. I also think it could be a good idea to move the new Master Ensuite to the wall between the Theatre and bedroom to further sound proof the bedroom.