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.........

Strong geometry, cool blue and glass and a plain lawn background. to fill the diamond with bush is going to cancel out its strength. But something different to the slightly sterile design compilation … if the finance is there, get two or three massive raw rock slabs and one spectacular architectural tree. resist going vertical .. layer them horizontally to slightly overlap or break the hard lines of the diamond, but not to obscure it. Then choose you vertical with a sculptural tree. There are vertical cherry trees with spectacular autumn colour which would contrast with the rocks (texturally), and be floaty like the water in the pool…. whatever the tree, lift the foliage up from the soil level, and underplant with jut one kind of tight low ground cover, even moss (if your climate can support) or ground hugging juniper that you can train inside the diamond. This combination of elements is rich for the eye, softens the geometry, and adds interest which is lacking right now. The place for shrubs and grasses and palms is to border the lawn.

Hey All. I've been thinking about the 3rd bedroom which will become a childs bedroom one day, and whether I can eat into that space to make an ensuite. Take a look at these designs compared to the original and let me know what you think? (It pretty much removes 1m from the length of the room from 4 to 3m. Then there is still a wardrobe inside this, so pretty much 2.5m) Also keen on your thoughts as to what I've done with the wardrobe in the master. I've pushed it ~60cm into the room (making the room go from 4m wide to ~3.3m wide) to turn it into a walk in wardrobe. The current planned wardrobe is around 2.6m wide, but this would add another 60cm to the ends, so would turn it into around 3.8m of Wardrobe space. Does this make the room too cramped, or do you think that the left over space would be easy to work with?

Hi Jennifer, I concur with all the other comments here but please avoid all dead corners! Make one long stretch of cupboards along under the window and put cook top at dining end: it will be safer. Sink and DW doesn't matter at family room end. I would keep the oven tower with microwave on the other wall with the fridge, build in as large a pantry as you can there and have drawers everywhere. Outside I suggest a pergola with deciduous vine over it. It will allow sun thru in winter and beautiful green cool shade in summer. Tho having said that I do not know where you are. Maybe building pergola up from the raised garden bed, leaving room for planting underneath and vine over the structure will make area look larger. Always love to see the final results. Hope the bathroom is ok: better the water on the outside of the walls! Hah Cheers Margot