We have an open plan home with a huge front balcony (we've had parties with up to 35 people) and a slightly smaller back balcony/patio area - I set the kids up out the back (I'll decorate it for birthdays, Christmas, Easter specially for them) - give them chalk, a few games, special "treats" for being good and then periodically check on them, while the adults are out the front. When the kids come into the front area it's fine, if they get too loud a "guys, it's getting a bit loud" usually does the trick.

My parents have a covered south facing alfresco in Perth. It's great in summer. In winter, they use a paved and pergolaed (with deciduous vines) area further from the house that gets full sun. Consider losing the bay windows. They will be unbearable in summer. Or push the eaves out, or plant some deciduous trees in the front. I would shift the rumpus room to where the laundry is. Give it a view. Also, it's probably where you'll end up sitting on hot summer days, as your formal lounge will still get a lot of heat. Consider shifting the master to the righthand side of the plan. You could get a lovely triple aspect (north, east and south) bedroom. You could have double doors that open onto a private seating area too. Put the laundry where the master is.

Our house north frontage, it is so lovely in winter, we have a small porch/verandah, use it all the time .. You have the gums for summer shade so you may not necessarily need a roof. I like Dohramei photo ideas as well. Nice metal garden furniture with removable cushions

Hi spmm, "I agree about getting help but be aware that building designers have NO accreditation in Australia and can be appalling practitioners and very expensive. i speak from recent experience in regional NSW. Architects may appear to be more expensive but are capable of delivering a better result." That is an appalling description of an Association that is registered on every state in Australia and has an Australian representative Association in Canberra, based on your personal experience - unless its based on self interest. To the best of my knowledge all Building Designers that do Working Drawings must have Professional Indemnity insurance to provide working drawings for a building Permits, which is the only accreditation in my opinion that carries some worth for the clients, and like all organization they can be included and expelled from their respective associations and are accredited by their organizations. As for them being "very expensive", generally I would say that the buying public is no fool and people that do not deliver are generally out the game very quickly . You might like to inform yourself a bit further on this by contacting any of the Building Designers Association in your state or the Australian body, some are included underneath: Australia: http://www.nabd.com.au/ Australia: http://www.bdaa.com.au/ Victoria: https://www.bdav.org.au/  (may include Tasmania) Queensland: https://www.bdaq.com.au/ South Australia: http://www.bdasa.com.au/ Western Australia: http://bdawa.com.au/ Northern Territory: http://www.bdant.org.au/ Michael Manias - mm407p@gmail.com Manias Associates Building Designers