Changes cost an absolute bomb so consider your modifications carefully Joy. Looking at both plans you've not altered the design much rather you've moved rooms around whilst trying to retain the original content. Some rooms appear less usable as a result. The #2/bed/study is one, seems too small, even the guest bed seems smaller and it didn't appear large to begin with. Without room dimensions it's a bit tougher to make comments however. I wonder why you made the guest bathroom a powder room given the location is such that it won't be used as frequently as the bathroom off the main living area? Sure put the doorway into the guest room so the bathroom can service the bed/study too but don't lose the shower up there. Nothing worse for guests than having to pad through the main living area in their pj's to the shower or worse with a towel wrapped around their middles on the return trip to get dressed. It's enough to put some off their cornflakes! I'd seriously rethink some of those changes Joy they will cost you a lot with little gain methinks. I'm sorry to sour the mood I know it's an exciting time but I'd hate to see you make expensive and possibly unnecessary decisions.

I think the main thing to think about would be traffic flow. You need to make sure you have adequate space between the chairs and the kitchen bench to allow passage through to the meals area, and between the two-seater and the sliding doors to access the deck. You might want to use masking tape to mark all the placements out to see how they fit and how the traffic flow is. You might also want to think about whether you want to be in the al fresco area looking in at the back of a couch. Personally, I'd probably go for chairs there, but that's just me. I like some of the pieces you've chosen, especially the larger sofa and the chairs. And it looks like a very nice space to play around with.

thanks everyone. oklouise, plans look fantastic! After some serious evaluation and looking how much garden would be left at the back with all the bedrooms downstairs (and wanting to put an 8x4 shed at the back) we are almost concluding that we need to put some stuff upstairs to maximise the block. Initially we thought about just one room but it seems the setup costs to get up there (approx 60k we've been told) make us think we may as well put more up there and maximise the size of the block to allow us to have a garden and veggie patches, trees, chicken coop etc. I was concerned if we gave the kids their own space upstairs we would never see them, but I think in reality putting the second living area upstairs with 2 bed and a bathroom is probably going to extend the life of the house and appeal to more if we do well it later.. . I also read a few chapters of a book from the 1970s architect talking about the optimum design for small families suggesting that there should be 3 non bedroom areas; one for children, one for adults (to not be parents) and a common area for both, which resonated with me - can't recall the name of the book. We spoke with a engineer 're the excavation for garage and they estimated 60k, and I think I'd prefer to build up in that case. not sure if I would bother with a balcony though as it would push us to to 3 outdoor areas, but may really improve the facade with a balcony... listened to those podcasts from the undercover architect - absolutely fantastic. so much food for thought. Now realise how lucky we are to have the view north.

You are most welcome, I have always said that I haven't been put on this earth to "Hug" toilets, so I'am wondering who is going to clean all of these Bathrooms. Our two kids a boy and a girl had the upstairs "apartment" which they and all their friends loved. I have added a timber stair case for fun, there's plenty of space but you will need to decide what you want to do in the attic and place the stairs to open up into a tall space. I have also turned one of the ensuites into a powder room. Your Jacaranda's only drop once a year!, you used to be able to trim them by 25% each year, you would need to check with your council, we were on the lower North Shore, I think you should consider the patio side of the house and make better use of that, is the front deck something you plan on adding because of aspect, and plant some tall growing hedge ready for the apartments. Our kids Attic desk/study space over looked our pool in the rear garden. With respect to using the formal rooms for bedrooms, you will find that once you have your large family/alfresco and the kids have their upstairs space if you still feel you need it, it would make a great office. You spend most of the time there only using only using the front room in the evening for watching movies etc. I have had another play with my floor plan, I think if your wife sees this you may be in trouble, it's a Master Suite, the free standing bath in the window alcove with white timber shutters for sun and privacy control..... Iam' adding a couple of photos of our old Federation which wasn't protected, when we sold it the new owners removed all of the Fret work & posts replacing them with simple timber posts. The front rooms which we didn't use very much once we opened up the rear rooms into a family area. The room with the Bay window had a Baby grand sitting there, we sold the piano before we took the photo. Cheers