yes it's interesting how the Brits like closed off rooms. I watch those UK home shows & thy seem to all says "don't want cooking smells" but don't they have good extraction fan rangehoods there like we do? I've also wondered why they don't have/ install proper air conditioning there that warms, cools & filters the air? Wonder if now their summers are getting hotter if they'll embrace it. I certainly thing you can have the best of both worlds in the right house, open kitchen dining living & then maybe a seperate living or reception room as they call them in the UK. Also if you have nice big bedrooms & master suite you can escape there for peace & quet. Interesting the differences between countries.

Hi arcmaz Great house - fantastic 60's modern look - Harry Sidler (Modernist Architect 1923-2006 exponent of the Bauhaus style in Australia, mainly Sydney) would have loved the interpretation, its a good style, don't change it will pay dividends in the long run. It would be good if there was a plan of the house,and a plan of the block this would allow some relatively accurate planning proposals. If you had the real-state plan with the block plan it would help a lot. In terms of making the place bigger and retaining the style I would suggest that the extension (maybe one room and an en suite depending on a budget) be a block in the today's current style, but linked to the existing house via a "link" (Link =small walkway). This would allow you to retain the style, but not be dominated by a past period, I have done this a few times and it has worked fairly well. If you are looking for three bedrooms it might be best to add a master bedroom with a bathroom, and then maybe living areas with back yard access. There may be other approaches depending on the current layout that could be considered, but I would retain as much as the original as possible, and only make small cosmetic changes until you are ready for a worthy development. I hope this is of some help, I would be happy to comment further or work on this project. Regards - Michael Manias Manias Associates Building designers - mm407p@gmail.com

Louvre windows are one of the most expensive window types, mainly because of all the glass edges that all need to ground smooth. If your glass blades are in good condition and the size you need, I think you could talk to Breezeway about just getting new louvre clips in the right colour and reinstall them at a substantial saving.

Assuming all your windows are similar in height to the one in the picture ( taller than they are wide ) I'd personally do just 2 panels . If you really wanted , you could even ask for a solid 'narrow beam' down the middle so they look almost like 4 sections . If you hinge them twice , and have 4 sections across each window , it will be quite fiddly , and maybe this makes me lazy , but why purposely make something that needs 3 or 4 fastenings at the top , another 3 or 4 at the base , and special holders to hold them firm when they are opened . Wide plantation blinds , with a catch each side , is all it needs .