Hi suancol, both domes have operable skylights. They look circular from directly below. (See photo) but have an angled square skylight sitting on an angled plinth above. These skylights provide shifting daylight and moonlight, acting like evocative internal sundials. They are part of the cooling system too. On stinking hot days, the windscoop funnels any prevailing wind from the outside, down into the main dome, through a small interior window. (To the right of the door in the photo below) This cools the dome as the same air is then drawn up and out through the skylight. We also have three double glazed windows in both domes - as many as we could have before the structural integrity and strength of the lancet arches would have been lessened. The geometries are why the 40 domes in one Nepalese orphanage withstood the quake this week. These windows provide plenty of daylight. Sometimes these domes can be very cave like. We wanted to push the limit. Today, we hung the windows! A big day. We're working with a local young designer to commission the door and work bench. I wouldn't mind the door having a cut away hatch opening, to further enhance light and ventilation. A bit of a quirky gothic touch. Bristow Architecture, we are toying with the sconce-type you suggest for an outside light in the entrance vault. My love of earthen architectures came from solo backpacking in Morrocco. My favourite place in all the world is Imlil, in the High Atlas Mountains. So we're also toying with a lamps from chained pulleys for the main dome - Moroccan? or would that be too much and detract from the cathedral lift of the space. We have one extra light outlet above the door. We'll reserve that one for one upwards directional light to highlight the lift. Jdublya, I like your suggestion. It might suit for the smaller, second half-dome. The whole sweep will have a work bench. Morning light through those windows is petalled and sweet. But we do different lighting again. Something like this could work. Thanks all. This is such fun. So much to play with.

As I was using the same tiles, vanities etc and tradesmen at the same for both the bathrooms downstairs, it helped reduce the cost. I would say roughly $15,000 per bathroom and that also included getting the expensive Italian feature tiles and the scones/ wall lights weren't cheap either. If you design cleverly, you can purchase most items at a good price, then shell out a bit for the wow factor pieces!

we had a similar dilemma with satin and polished stainless steel and once installed the effect of the combination is much better than expected as the little touches of shine add some extra bling so i suggest that the combination of your satin and polished nickel will be gorgeous but, given the choice, i would have the mirrors in the satin to match the taps..look forward to seeing the finished result

It's not a must do. I think that the current sconce is a little too ornate/federation style for your lovely house. (Is it thirties/forties era?). Noone else is going to much notice it though, it's black, not overly large and definitely not offensive. So if you hate it, then it's probably worth doing, otherwise I'd leave it. The alternatives you picked out would definitely be more true to your house. Maybe no. 3?