Hi Mel, You have the right idea to place kitchen on south wall. I wouldn't mind laundry over there too if possible. The more north wall for living and sun light the better. I believe a generous pantry can be waltzed in with modified bathroom layout and kitchen having a similar layout to what is shown here. If you wish to supply clearer dimensions I'm happy to play! Also lets try to avoiding the internal toilet we can look straight at as we entry home and walk down the hall. Windows to kitchen even with fence view is excellent for cross vent, light and can have outlook to hanging herb baskets. The good old garage at the rear using miles of land for drive! The latest craze for installing by-fold doors is great but they do not allow for small inlet of fresh air such as is required in cold weather. A few windows will providing air movement and cross ventilation much safer than having to leave a door open. New models of sliders are preferable (if you can clean tracks easily) as the doors are out of the way and not a walking into hazard. Good luck. Margot

Thanks oklouise and country house gal. The dimensions would be fairly similar in the two designs i think - roughly 50m2 for the lounge and dining, excluding kitchen but I only have concept drawings at this stage. I was a little concerned about option2 being too open plan, but a big part of our brief was to allow the kitchen to be a social area with family and friends every day, and during social gatherings, which I think option 2 would be more suited to. Option 2 also creates more separation between the living and sleeping area, which is possibly better... however, i do prefer the entry in option 1, but i think we can bring some of that into option 2

something like this might suit by moving not enlarging the door between kitchen and living allows for better use of wall space with a tall pantry and base cabinet with wall shelves continuing over the couch space, continuing base cabinets along the north wall with a a modest island and extending dining table with extra folding chairs stored in the pantry

You would have to ensure that there's suitable insulation in the Nib and western walls in the extension the cavity brick in the original part of the building should be OK remember vergola its an opening pergola you would be advised to get a quote but this would certainly work and look better it doesn't have to cover the whole deck