Hey Nik Star, I've had a PowerPoint play with oklouise's edits. This is what I meant about garage entry to the pantry and a laundry in the garage. The red arrows are to stipulate to the builder that level access is required. I added extra garage depth to allow for the garage, that would definitely impact your facade elevation. If you remove the wall between the butler's pantry and mudroom you would have a SUPER PANTRY! But a true butler's pantry in that it was supposed to be where you would land with the veg from the garden so you would kick your shoes off inside the door, so I've noted a little bench seat there, then head in and wash it before heading over to the actual cooking area. Then if you get rid of the sliders and reduce the storage to shallow shelving on the middle wall you would have plenty of space to manoeuvre with mobility devices. For the washing labour machines - washer, dryer, dishy - try getting those mounted on plinths so the load on your poor back is reduced. I have dodgy joints so I am researching all the ergonomic ways to design work spaces to help me when I get to the awesome stage you guys are at with getting to build!

Definitely an attached garage is always a big plus, particularly in terms of value and resale "tick boxes".........which is one of the benefits of the concept I threw out there a few weeks back that involved developing the more logically oriented extension that connects the garage across where the pool is currently.............which obviously involves moving the pool or removing it for a period of time before it can then be potentially reinstated............ My professional opinion remains firm that for the long term investment that is the superior outcome, better spend and highest value-adding option for the property, even if it takes longer and costs more to achieve......budget limit is one thing, but equally you can spend a certain "budget" limit to simultaneously achieve a "more expensive" & lesser value adding result...........let's say you have a limit of $500K but budget aside the arguably best value concept is more like a $650K exercise. A compromised spend of $500K can be actually the "more expensive" option long term in comparison to a higher cost but higher value spend, that perhaps could be achieved in stages or over a longer period of time, say building first and then eventually finishing off landscaping. Rome wasn't built in a day and I've written before about the time/cost/quality relationship and how managing those one way or the other will influence the long term outcomes for a project, for better or worse....... We'll never tell people what they should or shouldn't want in their homes, but when it comes to resolving/identifying the most logical and profitable and balanced options/solutions for a certain outcome, well that's kind of the business that we're specialised in.............. I am also suspecting that there could be some misalignments/tension on the "client" camp/side (ie his wants vs her wants) of the process that is making it difficult to properly prioritise and robustly shuffle the various project variables........the "in limbo"/"going round in circles" is a classic symptom and ultimately requires resolution somehow.........

thanks, below is the bin cabin i am looking to get its 450mm https://www.arova.com.au/collections/side-mount/products/soft-close-70l-pull-out-waste-bin-for-450mm-cainet-white the reason i put 1440 wide is that the maximum wide benchtops comes in, since it needs a joint due to the column i can cut the 3000mm stone cut in the middle and make 1500 wide of more, no problems. moving the door involved too much work like cutting bricks, door frame etc. Agree the 600mm is too deep for top cabinets, i am thinking of doing 600mm drawers with a bench then like 300-400 gap, and top cabintes at 450 or 300mm deep.

I am so sorry to everyone my notifications for these were going to by junk mail so I had no idea anyone else had responded! Wow, I am so grateful for all of your ideas and input! @User Thank you for all of your ideas, they will be considered and lots we had not thought about @oklouise Thank you for taking the time and putting in the effort to draw up our house. I am so sorry I did not get to answer your questions in time. The block is flat. Two small steps up to the house (it is not very high off the ground - a person would not fit under the house - a strange 1950s design?) weatherboard with hardwood floorboards throughout. The back laundry is a step down to it - it is almost like an outhouse - which then leads to another step down to outside. This will all need to be levelled. Terracotta roof tiles. I can try to get measurements of the boundaries for you. We had never considered building out that way and loved your design! I guess we stayed on the other side as that is where the kitchen / laundry are now! We have a budget of around 200K. Not sure what you have drawn up would cost! We have been busy sketching up some ideas before seeing this which I will share. We really want to be able to have a big open plan kitchen / living / deck for entertaining. That is important to us as we love having friends over for BBQs. Also really need that extra bathroom! Our drawings are super rough. But as you can see we have changed the sun room into main master - middle living ensuite / walk in robe - We even thought one side of this could be made into a study nook accessed in dining area? On the back right up to and connected to the garage the living area with open plan and large opening doors onto deck. Just figuring out best place for butlers pantry / laundry? This is the type of back we are hoping to achieve (one level) Even if I don't hear from you again thank you SO much - all have contributed to helping us finalise this and envision our plan!