siriusky thank you for the photos that looks beautiful (your exposed brick is stunning, sadly ours is a really ugly colour so we will be covering it up!). I am a big fan of 70s features - the high ceilings, raked beams etc and was looking specifically for one that needed renovating! I have 2 kids but I also work from home so need a study and I think a 4th bedroom upstairs would add value to the house. Can a bedroom have no windows? Because downstairs there are no windows in that little section and I dont think there is the possibility of creating one (built on a sloping block and it is built into the hill). That will be my study in the interim or long term if we decide not to change the layout upstairs. I really love the idea of the doors out to the balcony from the main bedroom too, will definitely investigate the cost to do that with the builder! definitely plan to open everything up upstairs as it is quite dark, opening it up will make a big difference. Tweeza thank you I really love that plan, and think the laundry and pantry like that would work very well! Jess I LOVE that first plan and all that lovely storage, if only we could find some way to incorporate a laundry. Hubby suggested a cupboard style laundry (washing machine behind doors) but I am just not a big fan of those! would probably have to sacrifice my lovely pantry for a laundry :) Thank you so much for everyone taking the time to help me I really appreciate it. Will post some photos after settlement and will be back for lots more advice!

Hi Do you need four bedrooms? If not, turn main bedroom into a kids room. Turn the lounge into main bedroom with en-suite, knock down the wall between the kitchen and the bedroom at the back of the house and then create one big open plan kitchen living dining across the back of the house. I envisage you would need to knock out the back wall of the house and add some square footage to get the space you would desire. You could also build a patio across the back with stacking sliding doors to create a beautiful indoor/outdoor living space that overlooks the pool. Good luck!!

Don't try and modernise this home, it has a lovely mid-century character that you should build on. I suggest to all of my clients that they should live in a home for at least 12 months before spending big renovation dollars. Understand how your house works with the change of seasons, and the existing electrical and plumbing services. Sometimes when you are on a tight budget in an old house then boring things like gutters and hot water systems are more important than supeficial aesthetics. Elements that are not original, such as your roller blinds at the front aren't contributing to the look of the house. The right landscaping could provide the shade you need and look much better. Love it for what it is, rather than try and make it into something that it is not. Best of luck, Dr Retro of Dr Retro House Calls

I guess it depends on your budget . I'd tend to initially keep it 'simple' , and do the retaining posts in charcoal , or even a silvery grey . The trim I initially thought charcoal too , but your windows look like they may be white frames , or aluminium , so in that case stick with the white theme too , although the existing garage door/gates in mostly white is then too much white IMO , but you want to change that anyway . Because of the shape , the door is going to be custom -- I'd do a cedar panel type door , or possibly a single piece tilt door may close flush , but I suspect it won't . So clean lines , a clean look to the house , with a darker contrast in the retaining wall . If that doesn't look right , and/or you have a bigger budget , then a new retaining wall in concrete or blocks , with an off-white render , will look classy , but its mixing up eras and styles a bit too much for my liking -- next thing you'll want to square off the garage and all thge windows , and render the whole house . That would work , cost a lot , and look good -- but why ? Apart from the yellow , theres not too much wrong , so embrace it !