lyndalcrombie, you are most welcome, I was a bit worried when you felt you needed to be defensive about your likes and dislikes. As I said I got allot out of your post, as I too am building and have themes and colours racing through my head and if I had any doubts about picking a colour, this forum has helped me enormously especially the informative comments on other Houzz forums from both Midesign0401 and Ladyrob1. Together they have helped me choose colours that will work for "ME" as that's the only person that has to be happy ultimately, "ME", not wanting to leave hubby out of the mix but he couldn't care less about colours and themes, I mean, most men don't care, as long as they have their chair and the remote ha-ha.....thank goodness we still have to buy all our lounge furniture, or hubby would want to take the ugly old thing he's sitting on at present, thank goodness it's not particularly comfortable, or I'd have buckleys of keeping it out of the house ha-ha Enjoy your house!!

5 Contemporary Designs... & my 1st impressions: 1. I'll stick with a traditional papasan, thanks. Less likely to get poked where it hurts. 2. Wishing had pool noodles right now. Or a life sized Gumby. 3. Oh that looks just like my computer chair! Sans the cage. Maybe I need that part so the "chair" stops mysteriously rolling into other rooms. 4. Whaaaat? *reads article's description* Ohhh! 5. No.

Hi thanks for the reply, not sure about this one interesting concept. It just appeared that the moment I mention "timber" that I need full detail plans engineer certificates surveyors etc etc and comply with the Victorian building act which does not allow any exceptions. I just don't get the argument that they are concerned about "loading" over the easement surely a 100mm concrete slab is heavier than something like the above image. thanks Peter

I'd say there's not a lot you can do with the garage, overall height limits and ceiling height to garage perhaps? Limited info and unfamiliar with site, etc. so just really guessing here. The stairs however could be changed as could the balcony, etc. Can't see issues here why it can't be amended to suit your requirements. You never mentioned the issues with the designer but perhaps stay with them as redesigning through another may not be ideal either! Some won't touch another designer's work and will start from scratch. Give them another chance to explain why it is all done this way. Allow them the opportunity to amend it and depending on your council, use a SECTION 96 if possible. Council will soon let you know if they can accept it. Remember they've been submitted so I'd have to presume you were happy with them beforehand. Clients changing their mind or have difficulty making decisions happens regularly as its all quite new to them. I too have had clients that love the plan's, get submitted then decide that want to change something that has been there from the beginning.... Windows and doors are usually what my clients change. Frustrating for client and equally if not more so for the designer as it affects the whole plan set and documentation in many cases. I do know many designers will railroad their clients into decisions based on their own visions but this is never a good thing. It's a collaboration between client, designer, council, engineer, builder, etc. and sometimes a bit of compromise by all parties.