So many questions from my point of view. The furniture all looks a bit squashed. Is it correct that you want a circular kitchen island bench, or do you mean to place stools around an overhanging bench in the kitchen? The raised section near the dining table would have to be removed, or are you planning a new Kitchen? What is happening down the other end beyond the small mat? is this an entrance from a deck or back garden, or does the room venture further? If you are to change your sofas, make sure they are sympathetic with the new chairs and as the chairs look a plain creamy colour, should go with most fabrics or leathers. Due to the room not being over spacious, be careful not to select furniture on the larger scale. Have a look at Jardan furniture and Globe West, both these organisations have great furniture at not too exorbitant dollars. Arthur G steps up the ladder, made in Melbourne. I would prefer you started with the dining furniture, as this is quite cottagy moving forward with your new armchairs. The dresser too - although you could paint this an interesting colour so as not to apologise for it's heritage, again with the new chairs. Hope this assists, but a floor plan would help me.

Bit of a circle thing, the engineer will have trouble commenting on what you plan to do without drawings of the existing and proposed. Never met an engineer who could not work their magic on any structure, but there will be simple and cheaper methods and then there can be some super expensive ones. Builders and engineers should be communicating as well. If i were you, i would have identified a builder, get a good architect to work with you, your budget, the builder and engineer, and town planner if this requires DA approval. Overshadowing is the shadow your structure casts on the neighbors property. Overlooking is when they can see into your property, some councils have means to prevent this and the last to build normally has to screen their windows to prevent overlooking, some require only high windows, not all councils and not all property sizes will be affected. If the architect draws in a 3D package it is a simple matter to show you where the shadows land at any time and day of the year, based on you address. If allowed to build that top story, they can show you if you shade your pool. This is a big investment from you, most likely you would be living with the results for years, i would imagine that you would want the best outcome for your family, and to engage professionals would be the way to achieve those outcomes. Thoughts and ideas from forums like this are great, but sometimes they are not aware of the outcomes of comments which might affect your whole project, and councils around the country all have different requirements. Check and check again. What is allowed in Brisbane with height and upper floor window sizes on smaller blocks, will not be allowed in Melbourne, or Sydney councils. Shadowing while really not an issue in Brisbane, will be a huge issue in Melbourne, so get a local team. Ros

depends on the room..below are just examples.. bedroom : 1 central light plus reading lights ie..wall lights or pendants or bed lamps bathroom: 1 central light plus 1 light where vanity is toilet : 1 light living room : central..chandelier / pendant reading light ie floor lamp or table lamps wall lights to shine on art pieces hallway: chandelier/ pendant wall lights for art pieces etc kitchen: if you are against downlights you can have track lights for your kitchen.. lots of possibilities don't forget your garden lights ..entrance lights ..flood lights etc

I think you're right, you'll have to move the light if you want to put in a fan. Why do you think you need the fan? There might be another option.