Changes cost an absolute bomb so consider your modifications carefully Joy. Looking at both plans you've not altered the design much rather you've moved rooms around whilst trying to retain the original content. Some rooms appear less usable as a result. The #2/bed/study is one, seems too small, even the guest bed seems smaller and it didn't appear large to begin with. Without room dimensions it's a bit tougher to make comments however. I wonder why you made the guest bathroom a powder room given the location is such that it won't be used as frequently as the bathroom off the main living area? Sure put the doorway into the guest room so the bathroom can service the bed/study too but don't lose the shower up there. Nothing worse for guests than having to pad through the main living area in their pj's to the shower or worse with a towel wrapped around their middles on the return trip to get dressed. It's enough to put some off their cornflakes! I'd seriously rethink some of those changes Joy they will cost you a lot with little gain methinks. I'm sorry to sour the mood I know it's an exciting time but I'd hate to see you make expensive and possibly unnecessary decisions.

siriuskey, Yes, the courtyard is open to the sky (no roof over it), I assume this is what you mean by double story. Ref. below photos, I would love to get this look, especially the first and last photo, where you can see family living space from the first floor. I can't achieve this in my plan as it eats a lot of floor space upstairs. The referred plan (photos) has a very big void combining staircase, hallway and dining area. I know it is not easy with cooling and heating when you have such a big void. So, I explored a few ideas (with my limited knowledge on this topic) before achieving the current floorplan. I have also thought about, in my current plan, extending the void on the staircase to the dining area (it is more like L shape) but i wasn't sure if that makes any difference. keen to hear your thoughts.

A slightly off-the-wall suggestion -- remove the wall on the 'right' of the lounge , so you incorporate the hallway into the lounge . Add a door between the entry and the lounge -- if your plan is accurate , there may have been one there at some stage ? This 'closes off' the front 2 bedrooms , they become what I call 'kids rooms' -- you can still entertain or even just watch TV when they have gone to bed . You also have a toilet for guests ( in fact , a whole bathroom to share ) , although it's not ideal for the 3 existing bedrooms , but workable , unless you are a big entertainer . This may not be possible , but in my head I'd then remove the wall between the lounge and dining ( reading your replies , this may be load bearing , but just an idea ) . So you then have a large kitchen/dining/lounge/family -- sort of 4 in one . Maybe even move the 'middle' wall along the kitchen and dining to the right by 1.5 metres ? And of course , move the laundry to the rear porch area , and what do you have ? Yes , a new Master , with the toilet already there , add a bath/shower/basin . No addition needed , but I certainly accept it has a few compromises and assumptions , and may not be possible , but might get your thoughts moving outside the obvious ?

How do you know that the hallway would of been through the middle of the home. A lot of California bungalows had the bathroom directly in line with the front door. Standard four front rooms, consisting of two bedrooms, lounge and kitchen with table in the middle of the kitchen. I remember growing up with my grandparents having exactly that. There home was built in 1932 the similar period as yours. So I don’t think the owners botched the extension, they just utilised the existing bathroom as a WIR, and installed all new plumbing in the new rear extension. It would of been a cheaper option. With the fireplace in your master bedroom in the room on the back left, that would of been the kitchen/diner. This plan is an original home currently for sale, which has not changed since built in 1930, it still does not have an inside toilet.