Wow love some of those pics Siriuskey! Thank you for the ideas. I struggle with whether to keep walkways 'clear' in this house - for example the two doors either side of kitchen and the deck door all create these weird walkways. (See arrows on drawings) Is it a smart move to 'block' them with say a couch, or an island bench, or the dining table? (See random furniture placement in pictures showing these options) I have uploaded a drawing with the current walls that we propose removing in green highlighter and showing where the current front door is. As you can see it's a wasted space and strange detour past laundry toilet and storage! I have sketched what I think you mean by entry next to bed 3- would you leave a small office room to one side and create a hallway or leave open and place miners lounge against west wall. Am I interpreting it all as you imagined?!

Yes I agree not to paint or add an faux type treatments as over time they will deteriorate and the bathroom will look tacky. My suggestion would be to hang two large rectangular framed photos. Use a light gold colour for the frame and almost silver looking one but you can just see the gold. Keep the framed photos light and classical, not to busy. On the vanity add a tray the same colour as the photo framed or with a mirrored look. Use white fluffy towels and a Scandinavian style light colour timber towel rack. Possibly a gold colour pot containing a leafy green plant. My

painted glass will be a perfect solution for your dilemma...my parents couldn't afford a solid bathroom door and solved the problem by painting a glass door with a dainty pattern by dabbing the brush rather than using sweeping strokes...paint lasted for many years and never needed redoing and i think a simple couple of coats to cover any missed spots will give an excellent result without any extra preparation than the usual wash and dry the surface and protect against drips

I’ve always wondered why IKEA hasn’t launched in NZ. Probably cost related being just that little bit further away. I’m intrigued by the lights you mention as I’m now looking for something to go under our new kitchen cabinets. Hubby did ask if I wanted lighting there and as usual he was right, as much as I don’t want to admit it