The mezzanine and storage spaces. Next to the mezzanine the builder installed a little door for us to give us access into the roof space. As the kids are using the mezzanine as a chill out area to watch TV play video games the storage now holds their board games, art and craft etc. The girls painted the walls to brighten it up. As the ducted system didn't work too well at the front of apartment we had to install a split system AC to cool down the study and the two front bedrooms.

Tiara60, Can't speak from a personal point as we are going to have concrete, but to go 80mtrs x 1.8m mtrs right around the house and of course us doing all the work like laying the rio screeding etc... is about $3,000 I think it sounds like allot but I know Merbau can be expensive, I'd certainly do some comparisons for your own peace of mind. Our daughter used Merbau, very dissapointed as the timber distorted over time, not to mention all the upkeep, that's why we've chosen to concrete our veranda's instead. Hubby and I are well over 50 and I wanted the least amount of maintenence possible, so aluminium windows and doors too, I still think it will look lovely. By the way, you mentioned ramp/walkway, try to avoid steps if you can, as a ramp only will always allow for pram or wheelchair access, we too have steps at the front of the home we are currently building and a ramp at the back of the home.

Looks much neater now.

yes oklouise, I hear all that - absolutely yes it's all about clients understanding/working out properly what they need.........and it's great to be able to seek comments/thoughts on Houzz from a broad range of backgrounds/experiences......the issue though is when it gets into territory where (from my perspective) clearly experience and professional skill will help resolve the problem most effectively (such as on this particular one) that it's therefore appropriate to suggest this the advised way to go.......I suppose I see frequently here capacity for designers to be able to "cut to the chase" most effectively, but of course this needs to be done in a manner underpinned by a thorough understanding and establishment of what the client needs in context, and yes very often the client will require more time to work this all through.........I however still see our role as relevant in that part of the process though, and not necessarily having to "wait" for that to happen, because ultimately as professionals in this position (i believe) have a responsibility (as part of our role as a consultant) to educate people appropriately and thoroughly so they can develop the skills to be able to consolidate their decision-making most appropriately for themselves and the project - by the end of the journey, I find my clients are rather quite the experts!..........this however involves a collaborative approach, egos are shelved and an intimate working relationship, which is very different from the approach (that some designers work to) which is essentially selling a "product" or particular end result, rather than a service....significant difference, and again, horses for courses ;)