Hi Mike and Emma Hope you are slowly but surely getting there... may I make some comments/suggestions that you may or not take on board, but hopefully it may at least give you some ideas/options... Going through a new build ourselves at the moment, and for what it's worth, here's what I personally think: A. Work with what you've got: - additional plumbing work, gas work etc may not be necessary and (particularly gas) can be costly when you're trying to work around existing walls, floors, etc, and as much as possible utilise the existing connections... after whatever you can save here and there, you can spend on nicer cabinetery, gadgets, finishes, etc :) B. Avoid unnecessry structural work: - removing the kitchen/living wall is a must (more space, light, etc) but removing the laundry wall is an unncessary added cost (may even require costly additional strutural support) - putting up a plastered wall on the other hand is inexpensive, allows you to redefine different zones and relocate doors/openings where required (*note: avoid hinged doors in small spaces as you have to allow for wasted space to open door - suggest cavity sliding doors, easy to incorporate in a new wall) C. Don't sacrifice functionality and natural light for design - love full height floor to ceiling cabinets, very much on trend... but they also tend to bring the walls in, which you want to avoid in an already small space... they will also block out more natural ligtht from the only window to the living and breakfast bench (meals area)... not to mention seated guests would be staring at a cabinet tower and fridge - on the other hand a walk in pantry (not that much of a walk in a small space) is also very much on trend, provides more storage and... as entertaining guests in open plan livings tends to happen more in the kitchen... it provides a good hiding place for unsightly items, including frigges... (an underbench bar fridge in the kitchen can easily keep those beers cold... though do consider that means sacrificing some cabinet space) - constantly wiping off the floors from dripping wet dishes across the kictchen from the sink to the dishwaser on the other side bench would personally drive me mad after a while... the dishwasher can easily be connected to the existing sink water and waste points through the cabinerty... any half decent plumber should be able to do that... ON THAT NOTE... or should I say those notes... I know I got a bit carried away :) ... if it were me, here's an idea of what I would try to achieve ...

Thanks James for your feedback. As for bench tops, there won't be much other than the island as the sink and corner stove will take up most of the area and we will only have to do around them. Thinking of granite for this but always open to suggestions. Splashback I'm not sure on yet, maybe glass. We have decided to go with the first suggestion and have an opening between the island on the living side, this will be as minimal as can be. Now with having two islands, we will use the one on the right for prep and breakfast bar. The left will have a two tier top - one so I can hide my coffee station area behind and two as we seem to do a lot family talking in the kitchen while I'm cooking, we will use this as a taller bar type seating. And the bench top will also be used for prep.

From the photos you have provided, it looks like your kitchen space is quite cosy. To accommodate a island bench you mentioned before we would suggest a corner kitchen, keeping your pantry within the corner however making it built in with your cabinetry in the photo posted below. (Photo a idea for cabinet layout, different materials and style in accordance with your design). To make you design flow, next to your corner pantry we would suggest your appliances are built in to the cabinetry with the fridge against the far right wall. This would then provide a whole bench top with overhead cabinetry which could feature a splash back to your liking that would blend with your terracotta tiles. Within the island bench we would suggest you have your sink and a integrated dishwasher to maximise space within the kitchen when cooking. This may not fit in with your budget, however if you would like a free quote to provide a estimate of cost please feel free to call us on 03 423 9067, if you would like to see some of out work feel free to visit out profile on Houzz. We hope this helps :) Example of layout with in built corner pantry. Example of overhead cabinetry with tiled detail to match terracotta features you mentioned. Island bench example, make one side functional with integrated dishwasher and bins with sink, and the other a dining option to merge with the kitchen, however this would depend on measurements within your kitchen space.

oklouise thanks for the ideas. We have actually really thought about the zoning. We want the two bedrooms on the southern side with a bathroom between for privacy. We also want the eastern lounge room to pop out as a dining room in that spot will waste a gorgeous view. We had a straight alfresco and thought it was all a bit hohum. I will attach the first and second drafts to see where we have come from. The first draft we had drawn was too boring for us ... Garry hated draft 2 as he thought it was too wide for solar access and didn't give cross ventilation (north to south or vv). It's only positive was the flow of west/east cross ventilation. Also the bathroom was too tucked away for guest use when we are using that nice alfresco area. We quickly scrapped all those ideas... LOL As I said, we like skillion roof lines and are planning on clerestory windows to maximise northern sun. Some raked ceilings will probably happen too (and definitely 9 foot ceilings in living areas). the mudroom/laundry will probably be incorporated into the hallway. Unlike some on this forum previously I don't object to entering through the laundry. It kind of gives a landing spot for groceries from the car on those cold days you don't want to leave the whole house open. The garage may actually be a carport to ensure we can have ventilation come through that way and to help us with budget.