I'm amazed that this discussion has carried forward for nearly two years! In that time I have moved to another coastal area (cooler climate and better proximity to children) and this time found most of the discussion still rings true. Finding another home here was an incredibly frustrating journey made all the worse by a mad investor rush in the area just when we arrived to start our home search. That search took the best part of six months and in the end there would only be three or four houses to choose from in any week. Result? A rushed purchase, a desperately inadequate building inspection and failure on my part to notice poor bathroom tiling, shortage of closet and storage pace, just how small the lounge room really was, and etc. I disappointed myself because I had let the pressures beat me and now we are trying to resolve all of these issues in a home designed and built by one of this states most respected project home builders 25 years ago. Having now studied the floor plan with more care I realise it was put together (designed) in modular fashion - most bedrooms have similar dimensions and the living areas are all approximately the same size as if the designer simply juggled three boxes of one size and four of another size and then worked out traffic flow. Then he must have thrown them all in the air to see how they would land and that was design number two! And etc and so on. This house aside, we looked at a great many during the six months because we had to broaden our search above and below budget trying to find something. There were massive termite problems, leaky roofs, asbestos galore, gazzumping at every turn, almost all but the most expensive properties suffered at least one substantial fail for the most basic of needs and to top it off the best home in our price range just happened to be built on flood prone land - approved by council who put the flood signs up less than five years earlier. We live and learn. Then there were the real estate agents, but that would take another two years and I doubt the internet has enough free page space available!!! OK, I hear you, they're not ALL bad...

How funny. I just renovated (on a budget) my small kitchen and added exactly the slate look in tiles you have, though they are in fact porcelain. And I placed them throughout the house for continuity. The tiler asked if I was after a retro hippy look but it doesn't look like that at all. My cupboards were the same colour as yours and I utilised the bones of the kitchen and had the doors and Benchtops changed only. I also have plenty of light in the kitchen but chose white doors and as I was on a budget I chose granite look Benchtops, they are very serviceable and it looks great. The blue backsplash was the colour lift and here you could choose any colour to your liking. Basically the kitchen ended up with white cupboards and appliances other than cooktop, with the stainless cooktop and coloured splash back being the focal point. The paint colour are: whisper white walls, integra splashback, white ceiling and for increased contrast I used the same white above the splashback on the rear wall. I would consider painting out the brick but leaving the texture.

Hey! I would recommend when you've got a blank bedroom to decorate that you start by choosing a nice light shade and sheets for the bed. A well-lit room with appealing sheets will make you feel at home and comfy. As for other decor, bedside tables are essential they don't have to be expensive, something practical in a decent colour works wonders for the function of the room, and to bring some aesthetic choose a nice lamp for the bedside table, and make it homey with your favourite books and some tissues etc... A rug and some decorative pillows can also work wonders, perhaps in this space a nice shaggy rug to add some texture and a fluffy pillow to complement that texture would be awesome. The painting you've got is great and it would look super good hung over the bed. Other things to consider having in your room are a laundry basket and some pretty curtains or blinds if there more your thing.

Oh this project grows. I’m thinking the kitchen/laundry access is probably worthwhile (light, access, etc). I’m liking the more contemporary layouts, compared to the u version that I liked at an earlier date. Siriuskey your comments about that version being too wide were important. (I eventually remembered design issues with my mum’s last kitchen which was a u and too wide and while it felt spacious, it was a bit ‘not quite right’). oklouises’ wed 5.26pm (2nd option) is probably my preferred option at this stage. I think that would be functional and satisfies my wish list pretty well. Layout and furnishing the greater space is still on the go. I must say, I’ve found everyone’s input with this project so creative and helpful.