Luke, I think Aussies are starting to put it into bathroom renovations now. My Sydney DD added it to hers - with 4 young children it was worth it, especially overnight, and it made a huge difference - but for just myself I find the combination ceiling fan/heater is sufficient for shower time. I believe there is not a lot of difference in cost between gas and electricity here, but the connection costs can be considerable, if it is even available, otherwise bottled gas is very expensive. For myself generally, it is extra clothes during the day and a small electric fan heater at night while watching TV with a cosy throw for any really cold nights.

I agree that the floor is the problem. If you are short of cash, think about what your final aim is (a five-year plan?) and work towards that. Changing the cupboards and splash back are not going to have a big impact, as what you have is quite a classic look, but the floor is very ugly and outdated. No matter what you do or how much you spend, your kitchen will be dominated by the floor until you change it. Timber would be great because it would add softness, warmth and texture to the space, but obviously it depends on what other flooring you have and what your long-term plans are. Perhaps subway tiles would work as a splash back. To my eye glass would just look out of place with the style you have, plus it is expensive. You can buy lovely subway tiles very cheaply.

Decisions in this regard are (IMO) personal - it's not necessarily right and wrong. Most importantly it's about how you want to live. Architects and Designers (and also builders ;) ) sometimes (often!) forget that they are actually not the people who will live in the home and I've certainly had my fair share of natural/healthy debates & discussion (with clients) around specific room position options. At the end of the day I think we (Pro's) need to respect the fact that our personal opinions ultimately need to take a backseat to the client's, but there is nothing wrong with presenting the options and having a robust discussion about the pros and cons. I think it has to ultimately about your priorities but be clear/certain about the reasons about why you want something one way or the other.....a good designer should be able to negotiate the various elements creatively and help you put it all together so that your requirements are appropriately met/addressed and represented and reflecting within the design solution....hope this helps :) PD

Audrey In Brisbane we can legally create a house with semi-self-contained units/flattettes. This can be done without a Develpment Approval. It does need a Building Approval, but for the changes you might need, you woudl need a Buidlign Approval anyway. These houses in Brisbane can consist of up to five bedrooms (assuming 1 person per bedroom) which can be ensuited and have a tea bench (small hotel like kitchen). You then provide a share kitchen and laundry. Ideally, you could also incorporate a common room. This house appears to have good bones to achieve this. With Airbnb I am currently doing similar to what you are looking at (although in Spring Hill). They take only 3%. My house needs renovation, but in there $180/week gives them a room and share bathrooms and kitchens and all bills paid. This property you are looking at has this opportunity immediately. With not much work you could provide a mix of products with several ensuited rooms as well as just rooms. If it was me, I'd be claiming the rear as mine and renting the house's front bits. I think you could bring up to $600/week depending on the condition of the property and location (again assuming you kept the two rear rooms and rumpus as your retreat with garden facing rooms (so you can keep an eye on the dogs, tend a garden and have an escape from the rest of the house. This is not to say you have to totally exclude tenants from access to it. If you want to chat more please feel free to contact me. The house appears to have great potential. Cheers David ( an Architect who believes in living small and economically without missing out on the luxuries home can provide)