there's a discrepancy with the measurements...bedroom 1 shows as 5 m long and the media room (which looks longer) shows as only 4.5m...can you double check the measurements as this discrepancy will affect what's possible.. BTW is the whole house still in the design phase or just the problem ens/wiw?

my suggestion has a 1800mm x 450mm counter with drop in sink attached to a 900mm wide cabinet across the end of the bath. A vanity cabinet (without top) and sink can be bought "of the shelf" but the long counter would need to be custom made (with sink offsett to the right) and the bath must be built-in with a wide ledge under the counter (and along the side and other end of the bath) Bath taps (and shower hose?) would look really special coming out of the wall half way along the bath (nb head is near the door, drain is near the end under the counter) ..everything else is re-arranged and there's also space for a double shower

HI, Thank you very much, oklouise. Reply to the 1st comment: The media room is 4.5m x 3.0, not including the hall way. So it is correct. But the Master 2 should be 4.5 x 3.2 instead. The Ens/Wiw is the last bit of the design process.

Hi, oklouise, Wow, how did you get the idea so quickly and with a diagram. Hope you don't mind asking questions after fully absorb it.

I mean I ask questions after fully absorb the diagram.

I mean double sinks, or one big sing with two taps. Then we don't have to compete for the sink, especially in the morning rush.

hi, oklouise, Thank you, thank you. It is a genius idea, tuck the bath under the bench. But not understand why need a wide ledge for the bathtub. I think I can understand others. Thank you again, again. It is brilliant.

a standard long built-in NOT frestanding tub about 1800mm and the room is 2200mm wide so the ledge is to enclose the gap which would be difficult to reach

thanks Marion, i've thought of another idea for mlk0:

enlarge the ensuite by taking 10cms off the wiw, enlarge the wiw by stealing a corner out of the hallway to the media room (won't change the use of the media room and there's still room for a cabinet or bookshelf in that corner) There's much more useable space in the ensuite and dressing room with separate doors from the bedroom:

Wow! Wow! oklouise, what an idea! Have a lot of options to choose from.

@oklouise, A friend of mine suggests an interior designer to be engaged for internal design. I am thinking about it, but not sure how it will work and the cost. Will you mind giving some comments? Thanks again. A further question. Quietly ask you whether you are a profession in the building related industry? Your ideas are brilliant.

just an enthusiastic amateur, although my dad was a builder and my ideas are probably stolen from something i saw somewhere else.. The problem for most people is they can see the value in employing an electrician or plumber, because they know they don't have the technical skills, but most people don't understand the time, talent and training needed to qualify as an architect, draftsperson or designer and are reluctant to pay their fees...(eg my time spent on the basic design of your ens/wiw would have been at least 6 hrs and I wouldn't consider employing someone who'd only seen an unchecked floor plan and didn't personally inspect the job! Despite having a good idea of how to create a floor plan, I have had personal experience employing an architect, designer and draftpeople and dream of one day hiring an interior designer to make my great floor plans come to life with colour and style ...The benefit of asking the HOUZZ community for ideas is that it makes you think about what you really want, what you can live without and what you're prepared to pay for...at least you'd be able to save the profesionals' time (and your money) by making sure that you give them the correct information for your project (NB measure twice=cut once!!)..My latest project has taken weeks of personal discussions and written quotes to decide on the best windows for a single room in my house, i'd be reluctant to pay someone else an hourly rate to do that research but a professional could probably have easily recommended the best choice, given me a reason why, had a deal with a supplier and a relationship with tradespeople to do the work (because traddies and suppliers want to keep a good relationship with the professionals for future business) but doing my research is knowledge for the next project..

maybe a smaller bath?

oklouise,

You are so right about your comments re electricians, plumbers etc... I simply can't afford the luxury of an interior designer but like you, I have done oddles and oodles of research via google or asking professionals their opinion if they don't mind giving it freely occasionally. Also gained allot of insight from Houzz itself with the million and one photo's available to give anyone a good idea.

I can't use the computer program like you have mastered, tried it over and over again and failed dismaly, so I draw everything to scale with a simple draftsmans ruler and that allows me to see how a design might look and also more importantly, to get the measurements exact.

By the way, I love the first of your three photo's the best, it has ample room for human traffic and the bath will look nice under the window.

thanks Barbara, my computer program is an antique one i found in the bin at a major dept store about 15 years ago (i've tried several newer programs but none better than the old)...it took me about 10 years to master but the computer doesn't work out the floorplan it's just a machine that produces a quicker version of the drafstman's rule and the most important factor is always providing the tools with accurate measurements...

Hi, oklouiise, Thank you very much for your comments, feel I should say "thank you" earlier. The thing is that my computer is updating the latest operating system (I think). It started yesterday, still going on at the moment. Don't know what is going on, never had an experience of taking so long. It also said "dn't turn off computer". I am using another computer which has been put away for a long time to reply.

I also can't afford to use an interior designer either. But a friend who suggests using interior designer had a bad experience with her builder. Her experience is that engaging with an interior designer will save money at the end. That is her advice anyway. I think I might get a few quotes to see how expensive it will be. It will be like hiring an architech. I don't really know whether they style and taste will suit me and not too expensive to throw the idea away if does not fit.

The options you provide for my bathroom are like from a profession, really appreciate it.

raebbie,

The rooms are on east side, so to me morning sun is more important than view of courtyard.

oklouise, Have a question. Thinking to talk to you privately. Not sure how I can do this via Houzz.

use message on "your Houzz"

oklouise, nowhere to send a message. This is the "message" page of "your Houzz". Not sure whether there is a paid subscription for this function.

i have received other messages without providing private contacts details, perhaps you could ask the HOUZZ staff

ok

@mlk01,

Just click onto oklouise's name and you will be directed to her profile page, then you will see words like, projects, activities etc... messages is the last one, click on that and type your message. It will remain private between the two of you and in fact you can transfer your personal email addresses to each other that way if you wish as well.

Hello Barbara, i knew there was a way, just not sure how,many thanks

Hi all, oklouise you have lots of great suggestions for mlk01, I'm sure one of them will work. And yes - measure twice and cut once, which also covers any designing project, check the layout and walk through it in your mind and make sure it works for you and keep in mind how your needs will change in the future. like if your thinking of starting a family - wherever you are in life, think of the future. as for employing a designer/decorator, I guess it is like finding a doctor that you connect with. I would suggest to think about where you need the professional advice. A lot of people just need a designer to get them started and on the right track, so therefore you will need an initial consultation and maybe a few follow up. generally you will be given a schedule or electronic presentation with things like a paint colours, fixtures, furniture layout and suggested style and maybe where to purchase, just to name a few. then you can go with your bible and purchase things as you can afford and do the leg work. they way designers work probably vary as much as there are number of designers. look up a few designers in your area and ask them a few questions, like how do they work and how much do they charge. honestly a good designer can save you money and heartache so it is worth checking out. Good luck with it all :)

I'd make the ENS a bit bigger (3.0 instead of 2.7) by taking some bedroom space but stay with a 1200 vanity. I also prefer one door to WIR & ENS rather than two separate doors on that bedroom wall.

Even though I look at and draw residential plans all day I would still employ the services of an interior designer, landscape designer, etc. when needed. The big things are somewhat easy to sort but designers really come into their own with the finer details of a project. Designers will consider everything no matter how small and insignificant. This is where your hard earned goes, the considered fine details of a project.

With such limited space, why not have the shower in the bath??

@nikki I wish there was a better way to put a shower in a bath and not feel like you might slip over.

@Barbara Thank you, I missed your msg. I don't see the "message" button . Only see Facebook, Twitter and Google+. Maybe Houzz has changed the function. Instead of sending a private message, they want users to go through social media. I have checked a few, seems no "message" button except, F,T,G+. Only one profile has a "message" button below F,F, G+.

@oklouise just sent a message to you via Google+. Not sure whether you will get it.

@mlk01,

You are right about the message button, I have it on my profile but no one else seems to so that's odd!

If you click on my profile for example, you will see on the top line right beside the profile picture:

Your house, Ideasbook, Bookmarks, Activities, Messages.

In fact I remember that when anyone typed a reply like I'm doing now, you used to be able to click a "private" button, which meant only the person you were typing to saw your comment. Perhaps Houzz can answer these anomalies??

I'm not on Facebook or Twitter, never got into it and have no reason to do so anytime soon ha-ha

As for talking privately to someone, you could post your email address here as could oklouise and delete it whilst you are still able to edit, as I've done once in the past. Just not sure how long the edit feature lasts.

Hi mlk0, i still haven't received your messages and i just tested the system with another HOUZZER and successfully sent and received a reply using "message" I couldn't find "message" on your home page but if you click on the "messge" on my home page it may work for you

@oklouise Finally the "message" button appears on your profile page, so just sent a message. Hope it can reach you.

@Barbara, Thank you. I can see oklouise's "message" button now, but still can't see yours.

hi mlk01, i received your message but my reply was returned, so lets try another way:

my answer is that i live much too far away to be of practical help so i suggest a local designer but first answer these questions:

are you doing a renovation for an existing bathroom or just working out plans for an extension or a whole new house???

@mlk01,

That's bizaar as I wasn't able to see anyone elses message button but can see my own. Perhaps when someone accesses a persons profile page, it isn't quite the same as when a person accesses their own, anyway, looks like you finally got through, best of luck.

Cheers,

Barbara

@oklouise, got your short msg via "message", replied as well. Hope you get it. We are doing an extension, both downstairs and upstairs. The diagram shown for this discussion is the extension for upstairs. It is CDC, compliance development. Have been advised that it would be wise to get a tender specification for a builder. Then the cost will be fixed. In the meantime, a friend suggests an interior designer. Not sure about the cost and how it works.

@bronwynpullinger For open plan, do you mean no wall between bathroom and bedroom. Not sure how it works. Do you mind posting a picture? Thanks in advance.