Hi June, can you tell us a bit more about whats going on outside of the window, is there a pretty courtyard or are you not on the ground level? any ideas of what it might have been previously, has something been converted? whats on the other side of the wall to the left of the window, are the walls brick or framed timber, are you able/interested in making structural changes (for example installing a sky light or converting to a door or reclaiming the space from the other side of the wall or giving it back to what ever is on the other side to make that space larger etc..) or just looking for ideas to utilise the space as is? thank you, with a bit more info Ill put my thinking cap on. I must say it is a peculiar little nook isnt it? cheers Kate

hope this works, heres a picture concept of bedroom design and how it would look laid out like floorplan. the wall colour is chic shadow grey. what are your thoughts on the lighting would it suit? the hardwood floors are a vintage light colour

Thanks very much Paul, I really appreciate your ideas and feedback. We like your plan and agree this plan gives us a more practical user space. We're really focused on making it all "feel" right and would also consider how this canterlever out over the existing master bedroom would feel/look from the verandah and living area looking out. We're also extending the study out towards the side boundary by just over a metre and removing the existing linen to increased bedroom 2. Bedroom 3 will be the kids chill out room/spare room and the other child will move to the original master. New Linen will be under the new stairs and we're also building some storage into the study and extending the garage to the front boundary by 1 metre. We dont' feel like we need another living area (or massive house to clean) as we already have two separate living areas and bedroom 3 will be for the kids to hang out in. And this is why I originally posted (and which you've clearly identified) - because I'm stuck between having a limited use gallery landing to provide volume and drama in the stairs, and as you say I don't want to kick myself for not making the gallery area a more practical space. I know other families with parents retreats that never use them, so I'm conscious of this too. I think I was probably hoping to achieve the same footprint with the nook a little wider. I thought last night I could reduce the ensure/robe depth to 2.2 to 2.5 (and increase the nook to 1.7 to 2.0) by moving the toilet to the end of the shower. Maybe this would work as a compromise.

Without seeing your floor plan. Yes the master, if it can, be moved to another room. Backyard access, in my opinion, should always come from a living area, or in older homes, through the laundry area, or kitchen. Your four year old, should have safe and convenient access to outside. Not have to go through the front door. What happens when your children are teenagers, are they still going to go through your master bedroom with their friends?