Hi arcmaz Great house - fantastic 60's modern look - Harry Sidler (Modernist Architect 1923-2006 exponent of the Bauhaus style in Australia, mainly Sydney) would have loved the interpretation, its a good style, don't change it will pay dividends in the long run. It would be good if there was a plan of the house,and a plan of the block this would allow some relatively accurate planning proposals. If you had the real-state plan with the block plan it would help a lot. In terms of making the place bigger and retaining the style I would suggest that the extension (maybe one room and an en suite depending on a budget) be a block in the today's current style, but linked to the existing house via a "link" (Link =small walkway). This would allow you to retain the style, but not be dominated by a past period, I have done this a few times and it has worked fairly well. If you are looking for three bedrooms it might be best to add a master bedroom with a bathroom, and then maybe living areas with back yard access. There may be other approaches depending on the current layout that could be considered, but I would retain as much as the original as possible, and only make small cosmetic changes until you are ready for a worthy development. I hope this is of some help, I would be happy to comment further or work on this project. Regards - Michael Manias Manias Associates Building designers - mm407p@gmail.com

My questions would be: Is the street a busy street. Therefore should all bedrooms be at the side/back? With a lounge room at the front. What demographic lives in the neighbourhood? Are there young families, or older people. How big is the block? How much space can you work with? What is the orientation of the block? Solar passive principles for lower utility bills. I don't think you can plan a home for someone to live in, if you don't know who is going to live there.

Hi, use the cat as inspiration because its colours are beautiful - (a black white and tan rug would add a little wow) and its hair will blend in too. Next just add in small touches of a green you like and more of the base colours in rugs, throws, cushions etc. As for furniture if you follow decor trends it is now the thing to NOT have matching furniture sets in the bedroom but the trick is to link everything through colour. I suggest a picture rest shelf (Bunnings) running along the back wall above the bed at eye level. Pictures (and a mirror) and bits and bobs are then on one level, look intentionally placed, keep things tidy and out of reach of little hands and you can mix and swap as seasons and events change. Plants yes, they give colour and life, then a bit of wicker/rattan or other texture in plant bases, a chair or foot stools at the end of the bed. Some nice green glass vases or candle holders etc. etc. Easy changes that allow you to save for when you want to do your big reno. I would spend your big money getting rid of the strip lighting above the bed and adding nice floaty sheer curtains.

"Macyjean, if you were to decide, where would you rather have your bedrooms? would you flip this plan?" People's priorities are different so it's difficult for me to put myself in the mindset of that type of block in the first place and what I might do with it won't necessarily help you. I think everyone has given you some useful things to think about and then you need to decide which of them are relevant and important to you. "Do you think the afternoon sun will still come through the master’s Sliding door? I was thinking the alfresco roof would be able to block the sun. But I may be wrong." The sun won'r reach the window as early in the afternoon. We have a similar west facing window and we thought the wide roof over it would solve the problem there but it still gets late afternoon sun, which is lovely in winter but horrible in summer. We do not have a neighbouring house close to it though so it might depend on how close your neighbouring house is. It might be that there is not very much time between when the sun comes in under your roof and when it goes behind the neighbouring house. It also depends on what you plan to do with the garden. Deciduous trees in front of west facing windows can provide winter light and summer shade. But if you don't like raking autumn leaves or you want a lawn then that solution won't suit you. Something else to think about is what is on the other side of the fence. You might not want your bedrooms right next to where neighbours have their outdoor entertaining area. This is a really useful government website for making your home environmentally sustainable. https://www.yourhome.gov.au/passive-design This page explains how orientation works and some of the things you can do on various sides. https://www.yourhome.gov.au/passive-design/orientation "shutters/blockers" What sort do you mean? Beware of anything that goes on the inside of the window and claims to block heat. Obviously some materials and styles work better than others, but the most effective way to stop heat inside the window is to stop the sun reaching the window.