@ deanli14...the problem is that the neighbours don't want the tennis court fence as it is..more they want it lowered...thus depriving johnmcintyre of his privacy and the local Council is dictating what can and cannot be done....its not about planting for privacy...quite the reverse, the neighbours want the view! I've had an idea that might help. It is my understanding that today anyone wanting to build or alter any structure can employ a private building surveyor/inspector to approve the plans and then the final structure...and I understand that this applies everywhere in Australia. So there is a way to by-pass all the nonsense. The Council does not have to know about or approve anything. You are employing (paying) a private building surveyor/inspector to help you get what you want on your own property. I think its all got beyond a joke. Just by-pass all the red tape and the neighbours! I've extended my house to incorporate a very large semi enclosed veranda, I've had a large water tank erected on a tall stand so it gravity feeds into my house..and have erected several 3m tall greenery covered screens along my fenceline adjoining the neighbours.. for reasons of privacy.....all without the local Council even knowing about it because I employed a private building surveyor for it all from start to finish. You would be paying him to be on your side and get you what you want and he does not have to submit to Council, he is his own boss and your client. You'd need to get a draftsman to draw up the plans to start with...then it should be smooth sailing.

Bathrooms are difficult. I can relate to all you are going through! Your are very lucky to have the window. and putting the toilet behind a solid wall will most likely take away your light source. Sure you have thought about the alternatives: - Similarly to an idea - Lampert Dias Architects Inc. put forward . . . What about a frosted glass wall shielding the toilet from the view as you open the door? Completely frosted or glass with a band (e.g. 42") of sandblast through the lower area, even with a clear area the bottom few inches - to get max light. Or a semi solid wall, solid on the bottom half and frosted glass on the top area or wooden vertical slates or plantation shutters on the top half. (though this may look too heavy keep it simple, keep it light - this is what I like about the pic you posted) Unless you are able to make the wall quite long you may still risk the chance of still being able to see the toilet when you open the door - the ultimate test is what you see when you open the door. Putting your shower where the toilet is now is a good idea, then you can create a wall of glass, even frosted glass, you retain the light and shower in a beautiful space (like the pic you posted) - But is there an alternative place for the toilet? Hopefully you can place the toilet behind the door or similarly out of the way. Lampert Dias Architects Inc. idea of the french doors opening onto the garden from your shower is fantastic - we are hoping to do this in another bathroom which will contain a bath. But your situation may not allow this. Also, and this may not apply in your case, some people may argue the negative of your ideas . . e.g. some will say having the shower where you now prepose (in front of the window) risks see a naked body when you open the bathroom door but that's got to be preferable to an intrusion on ones privacy. (Sure Houzz has done a piece on this exact subject) - hey that's their opinion, all you can do is work out the best alternative for you and your situation and stick to it. Hmmm . . . We have been think about the layout of the interior, as you original discussion is all about water falling on window frames, but what of the view from the outside of the window? Is the window just a small one usually found next to or behind a toilet? If privacy is an issue Lampert Dias Architects Inc. sandblasted idea is a good one or a textured glass. Think it through, take your time even though you are keen to get it done. Patience may save you some money and get you what you want and need. G'luck with your project!

I would get an 'L' shaped lounge that can run dow the right hand wall and across where the other lounge is now - or simply get another lounge that matches. Move the TV to the other side and hang it on the wall, as everyone has suggested. Don't worry about not seeing it from the kitchen - it can go on a swivel stand so you can move it at will. You may need curtains as that area seems to be a little lighter than the other side of the room. With an L shaped lounge or 2 x 2 seaters, you'll have tons of room for the kids. You can put some storage where the TV was, and the storage that is under the TV now can move across to be under the TV again.

Things are ticking along . We have a whole lot of long skinny flush-mounted LED taillights -- they won't be fitted until we take Frankie off the road to re-paint , as the existing lights come off , and these ones will need holes cut , the exterior repainted , then these lights bonded ( glued ) in . The Mercedes seats have had new certified mounts made ( being a safety item , we spent about $150 getting them certified -- keeps it legal , although there are literally thousands of vehicles out there that have had seats changed , and no certs ) and we made little 'boxes' that have walnut tops , and all the controls for the electric seats are in these ( on Merc cars , they are on the doors , but our auto sparky has made new mini wiring looms ) . We dropped the seats to the upholsterer last week , so in the next month or so they will be recovered -- a sort of bone/cream leather for the surrounds , and red leather with diamond stitching up the middles . This is almost what my cab looks like , mine has 1980's Falcon or similar bucket seats in a grey vinyl . I assume that was done so that there is only the 2 seats , and you can get through to the back , whereas in the pic with 3 seats , you can't . My interior is the same colours -- 3 different charcoal/grey tones on the dash , then a black on the doors ( why , I have no idea -- I would have thought charcoal would have been better ? ) . Once the seats are back and fitted , I am tempted to get the door cards redone -- do a padded charcoal vinyl that matches one of the dash colours , but do a 'scallop' from the rear of each door in the lighter leather , then a red maybe 150mm wide scallop in the middle . I feel that will tie in the doors , the dash and the seats better . The booth seating ( table and chairs basically ) in the rear will get done the same cream/bone and red leather , to tie it in a bit more . Which then brings up 1 problem . You may have noticed I have used a downloaded pic , and I was going to post a few 'before' pics of the cab and the rear , so you can see it in its 90's wooden and tacky lino glory , but that turns out to be a problem . All the 'before' pics I have are ones that the last owner e-mailed to me . I downloaded them all , they are still on my computer , I can look at them no problem . BUT for some reason , they aren't JPG's -- they show as 'Google Chrome Files' , and I can't work out if I can post them here -- I've tried but nothing happens . Are there any experts that know how to post these 'files' ( pictures ) ?