Hi @sophie0lm Congrats on the developments in this plan. It's working much more successfully for the orientation of your site. It's great to see you've taken on feedback and pushed the design to improve it. A few observations: 1. I agree with comments about the study nook. I would make that a storage cupboard for umbrellas, shoes etc for leaving and departing at the front door. 2. The view both into the master bedroom and guest toilet from living areas is not ideal. I would suggest turning the toilet room 90 degrees clockwise (so it's long wall runs along the back of the stairs). You should be able then to have a more private entry to the toilet and master bedroom - and I would even suggest having the internal entry from the garage at that point as well, so that cleans up your entry hall. 3. I would consider pushing to improve the whole WIP / Laundry / Linen arrangement. The WIP is quite detached from the kitchen. There may be something in mirroring the whole kitchen - so the entry to the WIP is then where the fridge is, and it sits behind the kitchen, rather than off to the side. The linen will then sit where the WIP, and having a solid wall to the deck so you can not see into these service areas from your deck and living space. 4. I would also suggest putting a wall up along the back of the stairs upstairs so the rumpus can double as a fourth bedroom. That's my quick appraisal - hope it helps, Regards Amelia www.undercoverarchitect.com amelia@undercoverarchitect.com

We have been in the Window Treatment industry for over 30 years. - In all that time I don't think I've seen such awful plantation shutters. - I really feel for you. I would suggest you contact the Blind Manufacturers Association of Australia (BMAA): Blind Manufacturers Association of Australia The BMAA actively promotes standards across the industry in this country, have a members code of ethics and have established conflict resolution processes for members. Your supplier may not be a member, however, they may be able to assist you with arranging an independent inspection. Which would be helpful should you choose to pursue the matter through Queensland Consumer Affairs. As to a solution to the light problem. - No there are not many suitable options open to you in my opinion. Plantation shutters are not designed to provide total block-out. There will be some light seepage regardless of the quality of the blinds though it will be minimal in comparison to the light seepage evident from the images you have provided in this thread However, high-quality shutter blades close evenly and the effect of a small amount of light seepage across the top of each blade is supposed to be pleasing and part of their appeal, in the right space. At the very least the supplying consultant should have advised you that shutters are not suitable as a block-out solution. Most shutters can be ordered and supplied with or without a box frame. Usually at no additional cost. The advantage of a box frame is that it can prevent any warping of the shutters once fitted and provides a better light seal not only around the edges of the shutters but provides the additional support to the entire shutter, keeping the blades aligned over the long term. The downside for the installer is that shutters with frames take longer to install because any gaps around the frame must be filled and corked which means fitting takes longer. - It is not uncommon or unusual for a window to not be perfectly in-square, regardless of the age or expense of the property the shutters are being installed into. The issue with roller shades placed behind the shutters is twofold: 1. In nearly all instances, the solution is not possible as the shutters are set into the frame and there is not sufficient room in which to install roller shades. 2. Assuming it was possible to have roller shades fitted behind your shutters, it would defeat much of the aesthetic appeal of the shutters. While you may have them raised during the day; when lowered at night you would not see the shutters or the minor light leakage (which can also provide a pleasing effect when viewing the window from the outside, at night, without compromising privacy) This may not be important to you depending on which side of the house the shutters have been installed. I would pursue this further with the supplier after first talking to the BMAA. You have invested heavily in a plantation shutter solution. - In trying to find a block-out solution - You are negating many of the reasons people select plantation shutters over other window treatment solutions. You selected plantation shutters for their aesthetic appeal and the positive impact they would have lent the ambiance of the spaces in which you had them installed. The problem needs to be fixed and not masked. If block-out is a must have for you, given your circumstances, then I think oklouise's solution is one worth pursuing. However, I would also suggest that if the shutters were performing to spec both in terms of the physical product and its fitting, you would be satisfied with the degree of block-out that the shutters would be providing you. Nancy

Go with your gut Tracy..... it is a big investment but I have found that if it makes you smile every time you walk into your kitchen you'll never regret it!!!! I've recently moved into a smaller downsized home with my 3rd black kitchen, with drawers, no cupboards, except for the pantry which we use as the crockery and wine glasses stash. Mine is matt but no handles = no hip bangers! I chose to use snow white stone bench tops, the walls are painted natural white while the floors are pale oak hybrid vinyl.

Hi Lili, There are certainly 'rules of thumb' when it comes to artwork. We wrote a guide on how to measure up for the perfect size artwork and its actually not that difficult to find an artwork in the dimensions you need... if you know where to look! Art is very personal choice, but you might like to take a look at the original collections in our online gallery. We produce all our artworks bespoke, in the exact dimensions to suit - either a single panel, or multiple panels, as you'll find illustrated in the gallery. A relevant project review is linked here https://www.houzz.com.au/viewReview/682538/signarture-review Below is another popular example of our frameless perspex artworks - and in that position, benefiting from the changing light through your full height glazing, would create wonderful shadowcasting. There's plenty more inspiration in our gallery - please just PM if you find something you love!