Your screen was the instant solution to that area, in my mind, I realize you want different ideas, but keeping it consistent will make sense of the front screen and create a contemporary character. I would suggest adding a black shade cloth stapled to the back of he slatted screen to help conceal some of these services though, and perhaps a low line charcoal planter with an espaliered tree, perhaps a miniature lemon or lime, or a hedge of rosemary-I noticed it's next to your BBQ, so you could do this screen with a modification, that is larger battens on the front say every 450 up the front, top fixing a 150mm wide shelf. Cut out some holes for those small galvanized buckets, tiny ones in places like kmart or bunnings and plant out a wall of herbs. This will screen your water tank beautifully.

Hi, There are quite a few systems out there which you could use for a wall-faced slider. I recently used one from Entro - http://www.entrostyle.com.au/enforcer-sliding-door-track-system - and got the builder to make the door panel as it was not a standard size (see pic of striped wall and door). I'm sure a timber frame door (or doors) with frosted safety glass could be easily done. There is also a company called CS Group do a variety of doors which might suit your purpose. I hope this helps!

You are amazing! This is exactly what I was hoping for with my post - some really creative people to play it forward and throw ideas at me that I could take to an architect. Or even better, find one on here that I liked, based on the ideas they were putting forward! Yes, for your curiosity sake, the house is in a hot climate (Brisbane). My hubby would say sweltering climate (but he grew up in a place where the hottest day in summer was 18 degrees C) - so he is already suffering and we are only in Spring. The house is on a sloping block. the front of the house is 4 steps up from street level. And rear falls away by 5 mtrs at the fence. The back half of the house has already been excavated to 2.6 mtr underneath. The plan will be to create a 6 bed, 3 bath, 2 living spaces, double garage house (but we can't afford to do that right now) so need to work the upstairs initially but keeping in mind the downstairs so as not to waste money. The garage currently slops with the block. So you can get to under the house internally. But not upstairs. It's roofline sits at the window hight. In about 5 years, we will renovate underneath to create a further 2 bed and main bathroom and living space. It will need a main bathroom downstairs as we are likely to put in a pool. The roofline is Apex with a double gable. really pretty and spans the whole house from east to west (minus the garage). The only other thought I was mucking around with was putting the main where you put the lounge and putting the lounge / kitchen on the north east corner. This allows for the main to have french doors onto the deck and the lounge to have big bifolds onto the deck. The deck would then span the entire back of the house (doesn't include garage). What do you think?

I have to put my hand up again I love builders and they are the to go to guys to build things but designers they are not, if they are given a plan already designed they have the know how to make it happen. My problem with your house is that when the last extensions were done the family room ended up in the middle of the house surrounded by other rooms, this could have made everything quite dark and closed in. I have removed bed 2 for this reason so that the space can be opened up for more usable area plus a larger entrance and more light inside. Bed 2 can be replaced with a much better master suite using the living and dining to allow an ensuite and WIR, this to be done when needed and money allows for fit out of the ensuite but until then it's a wonderful Master bedroom. For now the existing dining can be opened up or not to the narrow passage , to be used for kids play room/study or guests. Changing the entrance to a bigger wider one gives great street appeal and easier access whether it be by stairs or ramp. I prefer the laundry where it is close to the bedrooms, this can have another much needed WC and even a shower using the existing plumbing from the bathroom next door. This laundry bathroom should be setup with possible wheel chair use in mind, The washing machine and dryer stacked and installed into a cupboard using one of or similar easy ducting systems which uses a 6" flexable tubing up into the ceiling and across and out down through the eaves. cheap and easy, no expensive dryer required. Also the current access to the bedrooms is in the wrong position making it a hike from the entrance and kitchen to the WC, changing it to the other end makes for better access. Importantly the kitchen to remain in the same position but removing walls to open up and adding a 1800 x 900 x 3 x 600 pot drawers for great storage, The 600 Pantry will double it's storage by simply adding drawers. plus so easy to find things Try to re use as many doors and windows as possible and making them as large as possible in the family kitchen space. Lovely sliding doors from the current living room verandah adds a special touch for either living or bedroom, with the entrance moved that verandah is now a usable space for chairs and small table. Your builder is the one to deal with any load bearing wall situations and I'am hoping by retaining the dining room wall or part there of will still work cheers