Well now after reading all these posts, I have a dilemma. We would like to maximize the practicality of the deep and soft closing drawers. Corner drawers, the under sink u-shaped drawers etc. Thirty five years ago (yep that's right 35 yrs) when our budget did not allow us to buy new, we bought a dismantled u-shaped show-room demonstration timber kitchen. For years it was blonde pine. Solid pine benchtops, re-sanded and stained a couple of times. Then my husband painted all the solid timber doors with antique white USA marine paint which has worn well. New satin knobs (that have not worn as well) Now it's becoming a little 'shabby chic'. We thought of a complete reno. But we have no space to enlarge on the 3x3 metres. and new 'plastic' kitchens somehow seem less durable than our existing old one. Sink, stove and fridge in the recommended triangle floorplan. So what to do? Our pantry is in the corner with shelves that items at the back of are inaccessible. The microwave is the perfect shoulder level. The cabinets allow me to display favourite tins, crockery and vintage scales. Being a split level house I need the broom cupboard and ironing board stored close at hand.

oklouise, your drawing is so good! I see what you and others have mentioned about how incorporating flow is really important, somehow even just looking at your plan makes me feel like it would be a calming space. Thank you for creating it. Do you think it would work to move the guest room alongside the sitting? So they would sit side by side (similar to bed 2 & 3) and would both be entered via the entryway hallway at the front of the house. Both rooms would then also have north facing windows. If this were possible, could the master then slide down and occupy what was the guest room, and thereby leaving the original alfresco where it was? I'm hearing that a covered alfresco joined to the house is not too popular on this thread but its something we are quite attached to (for better or worse!). Do you think that could work? There are so many good elements to your drawing but I really do like the entryway/garage/mudroom intersection. For me I would probably swap the study and the laundry around, and we definitely will be installing a outdoor clotheslines too. The drying room would mainly be used on rainy days and overnight. Overnight as we have bats in the area.... some days I get to clean up after all three Bs - bat, bird and baby...

Yes. It is difficult to describe one's style. Have no idea what style but you seem to like: 1. Having a clear link to outside greenery/nature (bringing outdoors in). 2 Lots of light via big windows. 3. Pitched ceiling. 4. Simplicity - square set cornices. 5. House to have a natural elements.. 6. Colour scheme: white/naturals/navy/black/splashes of timber in each room. 7. Division of living space by change of levels. 8. The simple design of house allows your artwork and nature outside to shine. (I like the same style as you, apart from the timber walkway as a must and I often struggle to know what to tell people in shop the look I am going after).

I'am late but would like to add the following I would try to keep the original house along with roof .Adding a new space from the left boundary if allowed if not start at set back 900?. This would include a Master suite Kitchen with WIP and family room. This space can be resized to better suite your budget. The carport to the front for easier access and better use of open space ( driveways are wasted space and log narrow ones are horrible to navigate ie: reversing) The carport with a rear solid wall creates a garden courtyard and provides a lovely outlook for the Master suite. Guests entering into the large living MFR extra light comes from the new sliding doors out to the new side courtyard. The old entrance becomes a separate WC/shower room with a hand basin not shown. Keeping the family bathroom and laundry insitu with a powder room within that space to service family and guests internally and externally. Any of these changes would need a local professional to approve. The addition could also be done as a separate building with narrow breezeway/s connecting both old and new