before i draw your latest sketch here's another version "already prepared earlier" that might be worth considering (btw i strongly advise that you consult local council before we assume that re-building on the boundary is legal as building on the boundary creates major problem for any roof and proper drainage)... you will notice i've added extra separation between the kitchen and toilets and there's space for a tall narrow window into the courtyard from the bathroom (although any window in the pantry would be best as a narrow splash back with external shutters for a view to the courtyard without hot western sun) and your kitchen servery window photo is idealand this is the closest photo i could find for the north window and here is a suggestion for the new roof that would echo the roof of the main house and include the north facing clerestory window and raked ceiling..the 3d "view" is a very rough approximation of the north facing window over the kitchen but angles of the new roof, ceiling height and number of steps down to the extension will be subject to careful on site measurement

The latest update! The demolition work commences on Monday. My budget has now blown out to about $14K,including everything however I think it's going to look great. My plumber and tiler are great tradesmen, and I am going to get quality fittings (on clearance from Tradelink!). My vanity does have drawers, however I had to make the compromise due to the cost and time for it to travel to WA. I have also increased the size of the shower to 900wide and the shower screen is 1160 as I am not getting it custom made (and saving $1100 in the process). The plumber has said as I need to remove and replace some of the walls, he can do an inset in the shower for shampoo/conditioner etc.and in inset/step at the bottom for shaving legs. Can anyone recommend if I should do it, and if so, what size the inset should be and how high it should be from the ground? Any advice is appreciated!

When I first wrote in August 2017 we got a lot of great suggestions and comments. At the time we had accepted the limitations of the block (easements, tree, solar access etc). It is now one year later and I can tell you we found a way to move the garage to the south-west corner. This allowed us to move Beds 2 and 3 and the bathroom to the northern side. Pantry and laundry between garage and kitchen/living/dining. I think it was all of the comments and suggestions that encouraged us to look at it again from different angles, rather than just accepting the limitations. Thanks to everyone for their generosity! The solution involved working around a lovely tree (it is nice, just in the wrong spot). It is still in the way (council said we couldn't remove it) but we've opted for a long, curving driveway that starts on the other side of the block and weaves its way around the treeline to the garage entry. Not ideal, because a large portion of the front setback will now be a hard surface, instead of a garden. But if there is one thing that designing teaches you - its all about compromises. Thanks everyone. MB Design & Drafting Shara C Nik Star girlguides oklouise siriuskey genkii saragraham76 Andy Pat brizcs Mel N 3D Home Concepts suancol Caro

Thanks so much Margot, SiriusKey and OkLouise for your help and great ideas. I cannot thank you enough for all your ideas and expertise. After hearing all your feedback and ideas I saw this bathroom when watching a re-run of house rules. It is the charity house main bathroom. It seems to be a similar shape and size to ours. If we move the door as suggested when can do this bathroom I think. It will allow us to have a bath and shower and larger vanity with 2 sinks. While I adore the bath shower at the end of the room SiriusKey while we only have one bathroom in the house for the moment we need 2 options for bathing / showering. They are often used at the same time with the moment. Thought you might like to see the pictures of what I am currently thinking for our bathroom reno. While I love your ideas for creating an ensuite in the current bathroom and moving the bathroom across a bit. This is probably too bigger renovation for our current situation. Sorry for the delay in getting this to you. I have had a sick 9 mo who only wanted cuddles. Not much time for anything else with 2 others to also look after! Best wishes to you all and thanks again for all your comments and feedback. It has helped me immensely.