Either on the left or centred looks good. I preferred the centre one. I think it comes down to function. If there is enough room to comfortably use the garages, and your guest room works better I'd go for the centre one. IMO the only thing that Is not working is the little add on gable over the new porch. It needs something up on the second level, but I'm not sure it's that. Maybe the porch can be extended into a verandah on the second floor. Or just give the porch roof a gable. Good luck with it.

Wow, what a difference, I had no idea just how big the area was from the before photos, but this looks great - clean and easy to maintain as well. I can see in time the plantings will give a nice lushness and softness to the area that will also help visually cool the area in summer as well. I also like the elevated garden - I can assure you this is a real bonus in senior years. Wondering how many of the old crowd are still around, I lost the ability to post photos after a computer update quite some years back and then couldn't make comments either, so I'm thrilled suddenly the site seems to be working for me. I felt I'd been excommunicated. Not long after this post, I up and sold my Sydney house, was totally fed up with the overdevelopment happening and moved to Port Stephens for some quiet country life. Bought a house on a small block of land that wouldn't be too much for me to maintain in my senior years and the back garden faces north so gets sun all day winter and summer - beautiful in winter as it lets the sun in the house on that side too, but almost unliveable in summer. House had been leased all its life so I literally had a blank canvas - after I'd levelled the craters the tenant's dog had created - I needed privacy from neighbours but didn't want a lot of maintenance, including no lawns to mow, so I've used low maintenance shrubs growing to about 2m around the perimeter and 4 crepe myrtles in the centre area for shade to sit under in summer while allowing full sun in winter. Just waiting for everything to grow now, but thanks to Covid and lockdowns, I've had plenty of time to garden. Thanks for the update Rog, I hope everyone is staying safe and well.

Depending on money, I would move the kitchen to the rumpus room, make it L-shape, along back wall & laundry wall, There should be space for a decent sized island bench running north-south. The west wall could be windows, bi-folds, sliding doors etc. A pergola/undercover area would help with the sun & could be opened to kitchen/family room. I would also make the bar a walk-in linen cupboard.

I’m part way through a backyard reno and have finished out gazebo. Was mainly just updating. We have used new tech timber in a lighting colour (composite decking) plus we have pavers around the pool (to replaced with new pavers soon). I think you can mix the two if similar tones. Our decking gets unbelievable hot. Not sure of your climate but we are in Perth. The decking in the gazebo doesn’t get any direct sun in summer so it isn’t a problem but we have a decked area off the back door and by lunchtime you can’t sand on it for more than a few seconds. I wouldn’t recommend it for around a pool. I will be making sure our new pavers are light enough in colour to be coolish under foot. We pulled up pavers to put in grass as it was very hard and hot, although it comes with it’s one drawbacks. Our gazebo has a small area with sink, fridge and a TV (rollershutter covers it when not in use) and we have used shutters to keep weather out so it can be used in all seasons. Wishing you all the very best