We have four farmhouse style sinks in two different houses, and all present the same problem. It doesn't have anything to do with the material as two sinks are concrete, one stainless steel, and one composite stone. With the two kitchen sinks it's very frustrating spraying out the food particles from corner to corner. Food particles go from one side to the other, and it's very difficult to corral them to the drain. The two concrete bathroom sinks don't have enough slope, so when shaving and brushing teeth, the water and material flow to the opposite side of the sink. It's annoying to wash a 3' wide sink every time it's used. And gross if the sink isn't cleaned from side to side after every use. As a compromise, we're installing a farmhouse concrete bathroom sink with two drains and more slope. As I evaluate many things in life, a, farmhouse sink is a solutions looking for problem.

My house is also built at the top of a hill, the summit and is cut into a cliff. We bought it, it was built in the 90s and the orientation is entirely wrong. The living areas face west and all bedrooms are in the east. The master is exposed to the western and the northern sunshine. It’s nice in the winter and entirely unbearable in the summer. The same goes for my living room. We take extra long holidays in the summer to avoid being at home. The home had no insulation in ceilings, and raked ceilings. So the first thing we did was remove the roof sheeting install battens to create a cavity and installed R3.5 insulation. We are also upgrading installing new windows to upgrade the glazing on the western windows and looking to put insulation in all the walls It also gets really windy, so windy. So I understand your concerns. When it gets windy the entire house shakes. So the next thing will be to improve the bracing. There is a 3-4metre clearance under our home for storage. We could do a build in under. Even with the positioning of our shed and close proximity to the home it does little to shelter from the wind. We are considered the building an “outdoor room” which would act as an alfresco with skylights, lounge, pool and kitchenette that could act as an outdoor entertainment area when weather permits. I just did a sustainable design for a client nearby. I am so jealous of her amazing home. Her land is smaller then my land and her land cost the same price as my house and land. So I am grateful for what I have.

What's your budget? That will control everything. Unless you have at least $600K+ min. for something like this you'll have to curtail the dreams demonstrated here............also concur with Retro - there is a much more elegant way of managing an extended building form from a traditional frontage - yes juxtaposing new to old can work, but it needs to take cues from existing and have certain scaling and detail connection, which typically involves expertise and understanding of architectural language and style from both bygone and contemporary eras.............most people trying to DIY extensions/reno design have issues around two main things. 1. Not understanding how design decisions translate to construction costs in the real world and 2. Making critical decisions in the wrong order. Best outcomes are derived from resolving function & practicality first, with aesthetic options evolving appropriately/naturally from that...and of course always making decisions pegged back to budget, contextual and regulatory constraints. Unless you have a comprehensive understanding of these constraints and how to manage them with design, then you're just pushing it uphill. Whilst you can try, you'll hit issues. Your best chance is getting an experienced design professional on board. There is never a single "best" option - there are infinite various of planning possible that will tick the boxes of your needs/requirements. The key is finding the best balance, which takes time, investment and experience. .......this design work and skill still requires human brain work - there is no app that can used as a substitute or a fast-track...... Good luck & stay safe, PD :) www.pauldistefanodesign.com

the only mistake would be not making the best of what you already have.. it's a great house and the size and location of windows can help improve PSD ...YourHome.gov has lots of ideas for improving design for existing homes with less than ideal orientation but depending on your local climate "north facing" isn't always ideal for every room.. we deliberately built a south west facing room because it's good to have light in all rooms, western sun is great in cold weather and overheating is easily controlled with insulation and external blinds and a south facing room will be easily cooled in hot weather ... a highlight window in your rumpus room will help brighten the room and allow for easier furniture placement and shade cloth roller blinds on the outside of the alfresco can shade western sun from kitchen and family living and dining areas...good luck with your build and enjoy your new home