I'd suggest firstly block out blinds for the windows and then installing no- glare light sources. Such as step lights 30-40cm from floor height, or concealed wall washers. The seating can then be arranged and size to suit orientation to the screen.

A good designer will design to suit the site. Have a look at Sanctum Design. I recall they have one called 'Breeze House'? They have some great design's that will allow Northern light into living space's situated to the South side of a block. Use a Vergola type of roof instead of a Pergola.

My house is also built at the top of a hill, the summit and is cut into a cliff. We bought it, it was built in the 90s and the orientation is entirely wrong. The living areas face west and all bedrooms are in the east. The master is exposed to the western and the northern sunshine. It’s nice in the winter and entirely unbearable in the summer. The same goes for my living room. We take extra long holidays in the summer to avoid being at home. The home had no insulation in ceilings, and raked ceilings. So the first thing we did was remove the roof sheeting install battens to create a cavity and installed R3.5 insulation. We are also upgrading installing new windows to upgrade the glazing on the western windows and looking to put insulation in all the walls It also gets really windy, so windy. So I understand your concerns. When it gets windy the entire house shakes. So the next thing will be to improve the bracing. There is a 3-4metre clearance under our home for storage. We could do a build in under. Even with the positioning of our shed and close proximity to the home it does little to shelter from the wind. We are considered the building an “outdoor room” which would act as an alfresco with skylights, lounge, pool and kitchenette that could act as an outdoor entertainment area when weather permits. I just did a sustainable design for a client nearby. I am so jealous of her amazing home. Her land is smaller then my land and her land cost the same price as my house and land. So I am grateful for what I have.

I'll look out for it next time I'm browsing! I've found this new online company called painttint or tintpaint so I'm keen to pick something from there, though I'm trying to use up what I already bought. I let the kids go and pick about 6 different sample tins of pastel for their room thinking it would end up some sort of miami art deco vibe. But i have no idea how i'm going to integrate it all! I figure I can do some furniture and just top it with a clear coat of enamel to make it hardwearing. So far we have painted some boxes to make a dollshouse and test out the shades. I thought maybe I could make some sort of rainbow mural using painting tape, but then I found this really interesting painterly mural and my daughter loves it so I might just let them go for it and randomly paint everywhere! The kids room is the one place I'm happy to go a little bit more wild. It's entirely possible once the plywood cladding is up they will love it as is and demand I just leave it wood!