If your in Melbourne give me a call and we can organise a design. Shane 0416549490

Many thanks gerogiegirl123, LouieT & oskuee. I really appreciate your thoughts. We have delayed a bit due to some indoor renovations but I have started painting out the brown rafters & uprights with Ricochet (fairly light grey with hint of earthy green) and the brown sliding doors with vanilla quake (pale grey) & that has lightened things up without heading too far away from the earthy 1970's vibe. Thanks for the photo ideas. I am keen for a united floor that looks great & is durable but that isn't just one boring expanse of the same material. Perhaps some lighting and a raised planter box in one section that could double as seating would help? Also interesting was the comment on the almost Japanese feel. I stumbled across a Japanese plant in a nursery (cephalotaxus harringtonia fastigiata) that may work as a replacement for the tree ferns which are driving me mad with the spores that settle on everything. We have plenty of indoor projects to entertain us and the ideas for the courtyard are slowly evolving. Thanks again.

Thanks Michael, I should have said that the patch in the middle is where there was on old stump with an enormous elkhorn around it. It was lovely but occupied too much space so we have removed that and put down the mulch until we know what to do with the floor. I am thinking about installing a deck over the brown tiles and all the way across the whole courtyard so that we have one larger area. If I could find out the cost of installing a lintel (?) and removing the one upright in the middle then I think we'd have a much larger area for outdoor table etc.

I think it depends on the household and the time of day that the rooms are used. What your instinct says about what most people look for in a house is a good view from the master is irrelevant, as this is your house so it has to be right for your household. Unless you are planning to build it and flip it in the short term then what other people think doesn't matter. A master bedroom, which is mostly used at night, doesn't need views or sunlight, unless you are overlooking a nighttime view, such as Sydney Harbour (which I don't think you are). A house with more views and northern light to shared, common areas often feels better than if these assets are exclusive and restricted to two family members. If a study is to be used by a professional adult during the day then make the most of the views and northern light with good separation from kitchen/dining. If the study is going to be used by kids to do homework and cruise the internet then having it adjacent to the kitchen for supervision is probably a better solution. best of luck with your considerations, Dr Retro of Dr Retro House Calls/Dr Retro Virtual Visits