Thanks siriuskey and Jen! I have been toying with this idea already.... also with making the current main bedroom into a living area (as it would make a nice sitting room, it has a great garden view). Actually, since I originally asked for help on here we have booked the job in with a builder & plumber.... still have to line up other trades but it's not happening until June next year. Below is the plan I ended up giving to the builder for his quote... but of course I am likely to change my mind about 50 times before we go ahead! Especially since as you'll see, the planned ensuite is too narrow, we will have to make it wider. RE having a WIR for the maswter, we decided a BI would be ok instead since we dont have many clothes and we'd rather use the limited space for bigger bedrooms. Also we had to double our budget to $100k as $50k (our original) wasn't going to cut it!!!! ( & we'll still have to be very careful with our spending).

I had 3 female joeys and two bedrooms which led to constant 2 -v- 1 situations so nights were generally a game of musical beds. There was always one child who needed time out or was given time out. When we added the extra bedroom, the serenity was bliss. They could still share when they wanted but it was all up to them, it was not forced on them so relationships definitely improved after that. I think the age of the children and the age difference is a very important aspect. Younger children are more than happy to share for the security and comfort when the lights go out. Older children need their space and privacy especially for study. Children after puberty can get extremely sensitive about their bodies and need privacy more than ever in this adjustment period. You cannot expect to put say an 8 year old with a 3 year old - by 8 kids are usually developing attachments to "special" keepsakes, something 3 year olds don't understand and this can cause a lot of resentment when things get broken or trashed. Pre children I always felt them sharing bedrooms would lead to wonderful relationships, the children would learn to share, care and appreciate each other. Now I'm older and wiser, separate bedrooms is sanity for everyone.

add windows to suit the most likely furniture arrangement and views looking out not the view looking in...given the choice i always like windows towards the corner rather than in the middle of a wall as i think it makes the rooms look more spacious and is more private from outside .. the bottom of a small bedroom window should be at least 90cm off the floor so that a bed and/or desk can fit under the window and window covering are up out of the way ...windows looking east or west can overheat rooms so smaller rather than bigger and what style? awning, sliding, double hung, louvres and combinations including fixed glass can all be good in different situations but depending on your climate the extra ventilation may be a deciding factor and then you have to decide on colour and material!!

The colours , design and overall execution are really good , and better tghan most 'professionals' who post on here , but again thats a matter of taste ( and to be fair , I'm sure a lot would rubbish my amateur efforts ) . An intelligent use of the existing brick , render , and modern lines and design . A bit too much grey in the kitchen for my taste , but definitely livable ! Three of my pet peeves though -- before photos with no lighting , after with every light on . -- messy before photos , prestine after ones . -- no colour or even owners personality yet showing . There is a cool apricotty orange chair in one of the pictures , and and orange jug in the kitchen , and see how much better those rooms look for it ? I know everyone is different , but personally , I think the primary tones suit orange accents , and I imagine the Wow that would be added with those bar stools in orange instead of white , and then do 3 of the dining chairs in the white , and 3 in a light orange ( or if that is considered too much , go white chairs with light orange cushions that can be removed if you don't like 'em ) -- a bit unexpected , but no too over the top IMO , and all ties in with the brick , the white , the charcoal , the grey , the timber .