Personally, I'd be very surprised if your builder allowed you to complete swap the placement of your living rooms, bedrooms and bathrooms between upstairs and downstairs at no additional cost. IF your builder is willing to do so, then I'd seriously consider making the swap. But, it would also depend upon your personal circumstances. If you have or are planning on having children, then you may prefer to be able to see them playing in the backyard while you're in the kitchen or living areas. If you're planning on installing a pool, then it may be easier when entertaining to have the kitchen and living areas on the ground floor. It appears that your upstairs kitchen and living areas would overlook a public tennis court. Are you happy for people on the court to be able to see into your living space? Are you happy to be in the kitchen or watching TV and hearing the repeated "thwack" of a tennis court hitting a ball and the excited shouts, grunts, etc of the players? Is it possible to reach a compromise by turning an existing bedroom on the upper floor into a second living room and potentially also including a deck or balcony onto that room? You could have a small wine/bar fridge upstairs and other than carrying a few snacks upstairs, you would be pretty sorted when entertaining.

Hi Leah. As you like timber what about using a decorative timber screen to fit that space? Enough decoration to give privacy, but open enough so light can come through. Kind of like a picture that draws your eye rather than an ugly square of glass. I'm sure houzz has an article showing these decorative screens in various styles. I have some typical geometrical chinese wooden windows in mind, but I'm sure you could find some laser cut specialist to do your design in metal, or a carpenter to do it in wood.

I would just LOVE a space like this in my home, for I would agree with dohraime above and keep the flow and view into your lounge space free-flowing. One can never have too many views to gaze at! I would make the space say "library" and: - keep the wall unit and include plenty of books - keep the gorgeous floor lamp - add 2 small lightish coloured, plain or patterned comfy chairs and a small coffee table underneath the stairs - add a complimentary console table on the wall opposite the stairs - add a large stylish mirror over the console table to bounce light around the fairly dark space - add a generously sized, patterned rug with some lightish colours in it, round or oblong, whichever you prefer. If the comfy chairs are patterned, ensure the rug coordinates with them Oh .... And a statement pendant ceiling light as well even though you have down lights already good luck!

Thanks Siriuskey for your fotos.... beautiful Parquetry floors, beautiful home and stunning water views! I notice your parquetry floor transitions to grey tiles as well.... which is also very similar to what i will have happening. Im now very much leaning towards parquetry you'll be pleased to know. I collected some samples today, and noticed the store had them in a double formation which i'd never seen layed like that before. Its just 1 block of parquetry layed right next to another to make it seem thicker. I think it looks quite contemporary....check out the pic below from the timber showroom:(top half shows 2 blocks layed together in herringbone pattern) I placed a few of these on my floor as example No1, then i placed some in single herringbone as example No2 below. Which do you think looks better? - examples No1 double block herringbone - example No2 single block herringbone Thanks in advance for everyones input and feedback :-)