Hey Nik Star, I've had a PowerPoint play with oklouise's edits. This is what I meant about garage entry to the pantry and a laundry in the garage. The red arrows are to stipulate to the builder that level access is required. I added extra garage depth to allow for the garage, that would definitely impact your facade elevation. If you remove the wall between the butler's pantry and mudroom you would have a SUPER PANTRY! But a true butler's pantry in that it was supposed to be where you would land with the veg from the garden so you would kick your shoes off inside the door, so I've noted a little bench seat there, then head in and wash it before heading over to the actual cooking area. Then if you get rid of the sliders and reduce the storage to shallow shelving on the middle wall you would have plenty of space to manoeuvre with mobility devices. For the washing labour machines - washer, dryer, dishy - try getting those mounted on plinths so the load on your poor back is reduced. I have dodgy joints so I am researching all the ergonomic ways to design work spaces to help me when I get to the awesome stage you guys are at with getting to build!

Hi Amir, thank you. Yes, budgets are usually an issue. There is no real issue with having the kitchen as above to minimise moving plumbing and electrical - I totally get that. I like the addition of an area that denotes an entrance foyer, as in the above sketch. I don't know the style or era of the home, but privacy screens are a great way to delineate spaces without putting up walls. For example, the back wall of the 'foyer' could be a privacy screen and also between the kitchen and lounge areas. Laminex has a great range of indoor and outdoor privacy screens. Also, could you make the kitchen island big enough so you can dine there too? Kitchen islands can be two levels, one for cook and prep and the other for dining - or the same height and use bar stools. I think this also comes down to how you like to eat, whether you entertain a lot and whether you have kids. This could mean you don't have to use space for a dining table or just have a smaller, round table for four in a corner. I hope these suggestions give you some more ideas about privacy and the best use of space :-) Cheers, Penelope

Nik Star, I’m jealous of your bigger space ; ) - but so happy you have now been reacquainted with your messing tape! We are toying with the idea of putting a cavity slider in. Thank you Ripple Effekt Siriuskey - yes I really LOVE the concept of a “wet room” - Never imagined that our space was big enough for this but now seeing it’s possible, thinking about trying the bath under the window, then the shower and then vanity on the bottom left corner - just flipping yours slightly. Just trying to find a good bath that’s narrower design to allow for the biggest vanity possible. You are all awesome!

Now don't laugh, I STILL haven't decided which video door bell to get. I just read on a Ring 2 video door bell review that..... "you can't run the Ring Video Doorbell 2 on a regular ADSL or cable internet connection in Australia — neither has the upload bandwidth available. I use 4G at home and that's more than fast enough for a high quality feed, and anyone lucky enough to be on the NBN — ideally at least a 10Mbps upload plan rather than the base 25/5Mbps. This is a big caveat for the Video Doorbell 2, like it is for just about any smart home product you can buy in Australia — cameras like Nest's Indoor Cam, at the very least. If you don't have good internet speeds at home, you probably shouldn't even bother trying. And then you'll need good Wi-Fi". So, what to make of that? I just did a wi-fi speed test and my ADSL is only 0.87Mbps! Any comments from anyone using plain old ADSL at these low speeds?