@ cjones,, The beam you have marked on your drawing may or may not be load bearing your builder should be able to tell if it is so that you can decide to remove it and replace with an rxj across the ceiling exposed or other. Or make it a feature, perhaps a pole, a bit of pole dancing is good exercise!! If you like the position of the kitchen the distance between the Island and wall cabinets shouldn't be a problem you have some flexability, the distance I have in my large open plan kitchen area is 1100 I wouldn't like it any wider Your study could have a large sliding door opening to the passage for when you are working with perhaps a small opening skylight Adding some photos of support posts and possibilities , I think 10 looks great with either 2 or 4 poles, but I have no idea of your style

before i draw your latest sketch here's another version "already prepared earlier" that might be worth considering (btw i strongly advise that you consult local council before we assume that re-building on the boundary is legal as building on the boundary creates major problem for any roof and proper drainage)... you will notice i've added extra separation between the kitchen and toilets and there's space for a tall narrow window into the courtyard from the bathroom (although any window in the pantry would be best as a narrow splash back with external shutters for a view to the courtyard without hot western sun) and your kitchen servery window photo is idealand this is the closest photo i could find for the north window and here is a suggestion for the new roof that would echo the roof of the main house and include the north facing clerestory window and raked ceiling..the 3d "view" is a very rough approximation of the north facing window over the kitchen but angles of the new roof, ceiling height and number of steps down to the extension will be subject to careful on site measurement

Hi siriuskey I apologise for not replying to you earlier but I have been reviewing your last plan over and over wanting to use the layout of the kitchen but concerned about the other changes. My main concern was the wiw/laundry area and the loss of a room, either the study or bed 4. But the idea gave me food for thought and I have been trying to work out a solution. Where there’s a will there’s a way! I can see exactly what you mean about having the Butler’s Pantry in front of the window which was a major concern of mine even though I thought the servery was a really good idea. Thank-you for taking the time to point this out …and in such depth which would’ve been very time consuming for you! I must admit it was a surprise to see the kitchen placement in your last layout. I would never ever have thought about doing that but loved the idea! I have tweaked the plans a little by simplifying some of the changes and adding a few of my original ideas and I think I have come up with a solution. I will be very interested on your thoughts! I placed the existing furniture (to size) into each of the rooms to see how it works with the new layout. Oh… and I love your suggestion about being able use the dining/family rooms as either! I have also left the wall between the family room and lounge to see how it works before removing it completely but opened it up with double doors allowing entry from the front door to the main area...and a view of the fireplace is always welcoming. It’s a great idea for a toilet and shower to service the pool area under the deck downstairs…I think that would work as there’s no limestone there (and no we’re not in SA) but I’II look at that once I get organised with these plans! Thank-you again for your time and help…your feedback on my ‘tweaking’ would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks for the measurements, there were a few missing that would have made it easier to be more precise, But I'am making suggestions on what I think might fit within the existing floor plan which you are trying to do. the only small extension is to fit the laundry into a shared family bathroom. As there is already a shower and toilet in the current laundry I think it would be wrong to move them as they are close to your new alfresco area for the family to have easy access when you have your get togethers. To try and keep the girls bedrooms a good size and together with the other two bedrooms I suggest working with the fireplace and making the current Bathroom and ensuite but with the ability to share the toilet with the girls during the night. I have added my beloved barn doors to close off the kitchen from the bedrooms and also to be able to leave open during the day for extra light., the planned deck with roof over will make the dining/study/kitchen darker so you might need to consider a sky light. Anyway just a few different ideas trying to work with and around special features cheers