bigreader I'm okie..thanks for caring ..just need time to readjust kind of walked out on my job..so looking for stuff to fill in my time ..I hate being bored and sitting sround fiddling my thumb been looking for courses to do and taking my camera out.. these I took yesterday in Warrandyte..

oklouise, thank you for taking the time to pull together such a comprehensive and thoughtful design. There are lots of elements we like, and there are a few things we feel will be problematic. The reorienting of the house towards the East doesn't sit well with our vision of our living areas facing into the back yard. I love the courtyard area (screened room) you've created, but would prefer something like that at the back of the house, not the side. There is insufficient room to make the NE side of the house the 'back yard'. I like the storage you've created in the hall way but I still see the need to remove the old fireplace in the old kitchen, if it's cost effective and structurally possible. We'd like all bedrooms of a similar or standard size, so I'm not too sure about the smallish bedroom remaining the same size (the one with the toilet cut out of it). We'd like the front room to remain the main bedroom, and thus include an ensuite and WIR, rather than pushing the main bedroom to the back of the house. We don't want or need a third bathroom - just unnecessary and more room to keep clean!! Plus, there's no room for guests, LOL. We definitely want the garage to sit at the left hand side of the house, but probably a double carport moreso than a garage. We also like the idea of a built in desk/study that can be closed off - without building a whole study (room). So much to think about and your plan has provided some really different ways of thinking about the floor plan and orientation. Thank you for this. The parents outdoor retreat is divine!

Hi Will, we have the Taurus and certainly love the look. We installed it late winter last year so it’s only recently that we have really put it through its paces. We have a huge open plan area to heat and this does do the job but needs a constant supply of hardwood to keep it effective. i am a bit disappointed at how quickly it burns through the timber even when turned down. it is absolutely cold by next morning and does not provide warmth overnight. it also billows smoke whenever the door is opened though this eventually lessens as the heat builds and the timber burns more efficiently. The firebox is quite shallow and it’s a challenge at times to stoke the timber safely as on occasions the coals and logs teeter on the front edge and it’s easy for them to fall out. We crafted a steel lip to sit in front as a prevention. And lastly it’s disappointing that no matter how much we try we always end up with blackening on the glass which requires daily cleaning. i’m guessing this is related to the abundance of smoke that seems to remain accumulated when lighting the fire and getting it going over the first hour. And yes, our firewood is excellent quality and dry but i can’t help thinking there needs to be a redesign to allow the smoke to travel up the flu rather than remain in the firebox.

Hi @Siriuskey, I don't charge as your designer would for his time so I hope my furniture and colours don't put you off. Firstly I have to tell you...noting you have drawn or suggested has put me off...in fact quite the opposite. I would not have considered an open stair case without seeing your 3D projection. We now WILL head down this direction. So kudos to you for helping me think on this. Just revive the thinking on your stairs, they do take up a lot of passage and study space, cramping it. As much as I might like to move the stairs, I am somewhat restricted for various reasons I have mentioned. I honestly dont think they take up a bunch of room and I think where they are postioned maximses the family spaces. Just looking at your own 3D model for the position of the front door it all looks great. My CAD program is a lot older than your designers but it was top end Nothing at all wrong with your program or your diagrams. They really helped us with a positive direction which our own designer didnt come up with and now agrees with. Once again I would still like you to re think your stairs, this deals with the bi fold doors (why are they glass) and the anomaly of the windows. I really cant do a lot with the stairs or the position of the wall in the corridor for the study. There are a number of considerations around loading which I cant easily combat. Making the staircase open I think really adds a lot of dimension to the space and actually makes it work. We haven't decided on what the bi-folds will look like. My wife happens to like the glass...but we haven't made any solid decisions. Don't forget the Fridge, it's very important Thank you. Yes I wont forget. :)