Hi Martea, I agree with Dohraime, an open bookcase would help create an entrance way and provide some storage that appears to be much needed from the floor plans. You asked about dimensions, I would personally make sure that the minimum clear space between the staircase and end of the book shelf is a minimum of 1200mm, but at the absolute minimum, 1000mm (1 metre) clear space is needed; thus it should be between 1200mm and 1500mm in length and the height should preferably match the head of your windows so approximately 2100mm. Depending upon the dimensions of your existing 3-seater sofa, I agree that you could back this onto the open bookcase. However, to ensure the best look, the sofa should end when the bookshelf does. As you can see from the diagram I have included, you could fit 2 arm-chairs and a coffee table in, however care will need to be taken to enure you have enough space to walk comfortably around the pieces of furniture. Try to search for a narrow coffee table. Given that you have replaced the curtains with shutters, you could place the television and console in front. This is not ideal in regards to lighting, but the space is constrained. I would also include a large rug (as depicted) for the living space so as to clearly define it. It could be approximately 3 x 1.8 m. This rug could be something bright and colourful given the muted colour scheme you have so far used. A bold pattern would also work. In regards to the dining area, it is possible to also fit a buffet in the space, and would again provide more storage. Something I noticed, and I am not sure it is within your budget, but the dividing wall around the staircase at the entrance is very dark and interrupts the clean lines you are going for. I would suggest if possible to remove it and replace with a glass balustrade. This would open up the space more and help to bring more light into this space. I hope this has been of help. If you want further advice or information please do not hesitate to contact me at admin@gracedesign.com.au and we can go from there.

I never like walking in a front door and looking at everyone at the dining table. You could consider having the support post for the beam, up at the dining end of the room and enclose it with some pretty glass. That would, in effect, give you an un-obtrusive sort of foyer, that still allowed light to penetrate, while closing off the dining room from view and leading you into the open lounge/kitchen. Google Sarah Richardson split house photos. You will have to use your imagination, but I think you'll get the idea. Pretend that the double doors in the photo are your front main entrance. Good luck.

if you think about the time taken to do the water damage with the existing layout you could simply repair, and retain the existing layout and have many more years of use....think about how much better the patching and waterproofing products are now (builders' bog and modern waterproofing can do wonders for holes in timber window sills etc) the bathroom is already quite special with dual access and the garden outlook.. dramatic changes would remove the best of what you already have and new owners may prefer other options... i suggest you repair and replace everything to restore the fresh look of the original bathroom and maybe add a curved rod with generous white shower curtains, plantation shutters and new coat of paint to revive the bathroom without making any dramatic changes or spending too much

i still don't understand your plans...do the measurements include the wardrobe spaces, we need measurements of the rooms excluding all built ins) does upstairs include a master bedroom, two smaller bedrooms, a walk in storage room, one bathroom and the upstairs living area?? we need the size of all the rooms including the decks to know how they can be used ...no point rearranging one side if that spoils how the other rooms can be used ..and is the house on three levels and/or why is there extra stairs from the laundry and is this a renovation or a new building?