a_m_b_a Firstly, I would start with the cheapest option. Give the fireplace a lick of paint. You can do this yourself at a minimal cost and this may give you the look you're after. If it doesn't, then you haven't wasted a lot of money on cladding, render or anything else you may be thinking of. Secondly, don't touch the pelmets. Paint them yes so they don't stand out as much, but pelmets are there for more than just hiding curtain rods. They actually help circulate the air in the room as well as help minimise heat loss. If they aren't a sealed pelmet, I would look at sealing them. Also get rid of the blinds ans install some heavy curtains. This will also stop heat loss through your window. Other than those two things, have a look at some of the images on Houzz to give you an idea of what you can do. The window seat is a fantastic idea and I would definitely put one in. Most of all have fun with it. Don't be scared to try something different. Whatever you do, can always be changed if you don't like it. I know this isn't everyone's taste, but I would possibly go with a bright coloured paint as well. Make it a focal point of the room, instead of just a heating element. Going a bright orange or lime green would really set it off. Enjoy... Giuliano green design & consulting

That looks fantastic. Thank you. Thank you. I had considered the access via the garage to the house via the laundry or through the workshop/bedroom. It came up as an idea from a prospective buyer when I had the house on the market a couple of years ago as he had 4 children. I changed my mind about selling in the end and figured while I was doing the kitchen I would have a chippie put up the wall and door at the same time. Don't need another bedroom myself but it could be a "man-cave" or study instead of the current use as storage area for "stuff" and maybe an advantage later for any new buyer. The pantry on the other side looks interesting but would mean losing the larger island wouldn't it? Food for thought. I am glad you think the existing cabinetry could be re-used as that was my plan. How much should I allocate for a reno as a general rule? A

Blue Gum floorboards how could it not look beautiful!! and yes wheelchair friendly although if we were in a wheelchair I guess we would have to move closer to town and transport and shops as this house was going to be in the country talking of moving... husband has caved and said we can move to the Bay of Islands whoop whoop! he still wants to go to France for 2 years but he said we could build or buy before we go so that changes the type of house now because we were building near a school and families this will be more a beach house that we can leave for the kids to enjoy and various friends who want it while away so I have swapped the master over to be away from the laundry garage door and hot water heat pump which is quite noisy and the guest rooms now have a Jack and Jill bathroom I haven't changed the footprints at all it's still the same size just changed the layout a little bit The bunk room would have a sliding door outside which means you could access that part of the house privately without coming through the front door or the bunk room could be a small kitchenette /come dining room / come lounge room (very small ) and rent it out as a 1 bedroom self contained apartment Once we live there full time ... will upload a photo in the next Post

a very patient cabinet maker may be persuade to make a shelving unit attached to a super reinforced door on wheels with heavy duty hinges in an extra solid door jamb to carry the weight of a bookshelf let alone the contents BUT the bookshelf would have to be much narrower than the door to be able to swing closed and the gap on either or both sides of the shelf would defeat the idea of the concealed door...one option could be to hang the doors at the front of the fireplace to add a little extra space to the ens and wiw but that would probably spoil the look of the fireplace if it's similar to the one in the family room