looks like it will be a great expansion, i can't see the exact dimensions but suggest the kitchen island be rotated to allow for more generous dining room, the study area swopped to the other end would allow a more comfortable desk space, proposed study area used for dining storage and re-arranging doors in the ensuite/dressing room allows for a double vanity, double sized shower and the "leftover" corner is more readily accessible for a chair...

I'm ok to loose the entry way, not sure that we really need it. We have considered a wall and bench. We are hoping to use the laundry room as a 'mud room' entry. I love the openness of the walking straight into our kitchen, suits us as a family. We originally had kitchen bench as you suggested but decided space was a little tight. Was wondering if we maybe go without a dining table and just use long bench? I have scribbled some dimensions on the plan, let me know if I have given you enough info. Thanks again for amazing help! Ande

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if you're upstairs the extra door may be a safety access but the wall could be a counter instead of full height but i have lots more question...
are there wood framed windows beside the door ? 2. what's outside the door? 3. is it a deck? 4. do you eat on the deck 5. where do you come in with groceries? 6. where do visitors knock and come in? 7. what do you want to include in the kitchen? 8. do you like the study swopped over?....here's another idea for the ensuite

it is actually ground level, you walk from the driveway to veranda/lawn/paved area. There is a window on the left of the door, but happy for this and door to change. This is our entry we always use, so yes, groceries etc all through here. It is a funny set up really as it feels like you are coming in a back entry but it is the front (only entry) The other side is a drop off and views which we hope to take advantage of in this extension by increasing windows and going further into valley. We do eat out the front and also have a large lawn area where the kids play. This backs onto a road but is well screened by beautiful trees. This is also the entry people come to - both visitors and deliveries. My main thing I really would like for the kitchen is plenty of storage space. (We have been running with not much space for the past 12 years). I do like the study where you have placed it. Do you do design for a living?

keeping the door and sidelight still makes practical and (economical sense) running in and out with kids and supplies which can be dumped on the end of the central island just as you come in the door...the original layout would be OK but i already sent another version of my suggested kitchen..I don't do design for a living just enjoy offering suggestions from lots of practical experience building and planning multiple renovations and kitchens for family and friends...your reno is very generous and needs to work best for the way you and your family like to live...BTW check the measurements from wall to wall, ignoring cupboards (most accurate is a long tape measure and a mate) ...the plan shows that the new living room is 6.1m plus the width of the stairwell 1090mm and the wall between is 90mm ie according to the plan the new space is at least 7.2m wide (inside) and this should be very close to the same as the length of the new dining area and new kitchen, if not, you need to check with whoever prepared your plans as discrepancies can have a major effect on the whole building and/or could mean that there is more space for the kitchen than you realised...

here's another suggestion for the ensuite..the extra handbasin has been moved into the little hall to create a powder room, the bath and shower rearranged, the wall on the side of the shower is a space for heated towel rails? there's enough room for a swinging or double sliding door and, depending on the view, windows behind the bath could be good with plantation shutters for privacy...the little square next to the bath is a chair for a robe or the bubbly and the photo is an impression of the layout when entering from the toilet side

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you are amazing...we have had these plans for so long and have not come up with any of the ideas you have given me in such a short amount of time. I had REALLY wanted a second basin for the separate toilet but was not sure how it could possibly work. We had the bath placed centralized in the picture window as we will have a private spa courtyard which would create a beautiful outlook. Would this still work if we just kept a single shower? Do you think if would feel weird walking through the living area past the basin into our room? I so appreciate your time. This is the most excited I have felt about the build!

i'm really pleased you're excited and happy to check out any ideas for you but need to know the exact measurements on the plan in order to make any more suggestions.. i think the numbers along the bottom line read 6100:90:1090:90:4820 but i can't see the numbers up both sides of the extension and i also need you to measure the length and width of the old living area (with a tape, not read off the plan) otherwise my suggestions can only be guestimates...maybe you could try enlarging the plan in sections and overwrite the measurements in BIG DARK numbers so i can read them clearly...enlarging the pictures at my end only makes the numbers blur..

Is this any better? You were correct about numbers with one change... 6100:90:1070:90:4820

My measurements of our current living area is 6800 by 7200

yeah!! you just found the missing 70cms: across the width it's 6800cm not 6100cm...i'll draw up a new "original" and add in some variations for you...

another ensuite with the bath and shower "centred" for the view (make sure the window is low enough so you can look out while laying back in the tub and the bath is installed so your head is at the right end for the best view) and the taps should also be centred against the window wall not at the end ...surprisingly by making the bathroom seem smaller and pushing the shower into the dressing room there's much less wasted space and the dressing room is more spacious...i've added a small vanity/handbasin to the WC by making the room a tiny bit wider and pushing the basin into a hole in the old external wall...(the builder can do this at the same time as they cut the new doorway into the master suite) the toilet, vanities, bath and shower are standard off the shelf sizes and/or you could really splash out and have a custom made 2m wide vanity with twin basins in the ensuite....this plan is dependent on exact measurements and moving anything will affect everything else...i'll redo the kitchen now!!

final thoughts with kitchen and ensuite..the colours in the pictures have to be strong (horrible) or you can't see any detail

I can't thank you enough for your help. You are a very talented designer and we will be taking your ideas with us on this journey. You have made so made improvements on our future home. I look at your plans and I see so much more functional, usable space. I am so grateful that you have taken all this time to help us along the way.

i'm glad you're happy, let me know if i you need any other details

another variation for your ensuite..makes the space near the basins a bit roomier and adds a linen cupboard for the cost of 30cm of hanging space

It's a shame you cant get any natural Northern light into your proposed living areas. Might also make it difficult to achieve 6 Star Energy rating that is required is South Australia.

I am very keen on any extra storage space! I have really come to like your other idea of a separate vanity/basin area though...

it's sounds like a happy home and i'll keep thinking...but, thinking about DesignTech's suggestion about the issue of northern light and SA's Energy Rating requirements why not add some images of the roof and outside areas to encourage more suggestions

thinking about access to more light and inspired by your HOUZZ photo..i've attached some more 3d images (awful colours and odd curved windows due to the limitations of my antique hardware and to help highlight)

My Houzz: 140 year old mud brick home · More Info

More to think about, your creative energy is amazing. I love how you make things happen. I am very keen on your kitchen dining area maybe just moving the fridge against the pantry wall to open up the bench and feeling of space at the entry?

there's a lull in our personal projects so have to think about someone else's plans.....what else would be on your wish list for the kitchen, would you like anything on the island and what is the floor made out of?

I don't know. This is all a very new and foreign game to me, I don't even watch the Block :) Storage is always on the wish list... I was also wondering if it is a good idea to have space for 2 stalls on the work side on the bench for family conversation at dinner time across from each other. Not sure about flooring either! I guess we do the same for kitchen, living etc for the flow.

I am also still scratching around with the walk in robe and ensuite as we speak. I think the sep vanity and toilet has to stay. Works so well.

You have no idea what your input has already done to help us!

the reno programs i've seen show a very unrealistic idea of how quick and easy it's supposed to be... your rooms are so generous that re-arranging the fridge, extra storage and seating at the kitchen bench is easy and i've attached an idea for a walk in pantry for your consideration?? BTW i meant the actual structure of the floor, concrete or timber framed in case you want to try the stove or sink away from the outside walls. I'm glad you like the ensuite and wiw and happy to attempt any variations but, much as i like planning kitchens and bathrooms, i suggest you need to confirm the overall construction, especially the roof, before finalising ideas about the internal fit out eg the yellow gable roof in my last suggestion would probably cost as much extra as the bathroom fittings and neither can be changed easily. The new kitchen cupboards would probably cost as much as the plumbing, electrican and windows but maybe the new kitchen could wait...so its' best to decide where you need to economise before you commit

something else to think about (obviously i need a new hobby) You'll have the biggest and best island (3.6m long and up to 1.2m deep) with space for stools on both sides and a walk in pantry and there's separate living areas for kids and parents, skylights (solar or standard) would brighten the kitchen dramatically and there's another storage cupboard...your house has so many options

hello Ande, would love to visit Adelaide some day but in the meantime i'm very happy to consider all questions...feel free to post on line or email direct