Hi Karina. Haha very funny re your art piece, KitchenAid! Baking is so much fun; I'm a baker from way way back, and you learn by just jumping in and doing it. About the height of your combined dining/bench table, it's pretty important to have a height that's comfortable for you whilst you work. I'm tall and my family is too, so we had the benchtop height built higher so we are not getting backaches from constantly having to bend over to work. It's really more important for the one who does all or most of the cooking & baking to be comfortable as you can spend long periods of time reading and working out recipes, then putting it all together. Likewise, if you are shorter, choose a table that suits you. Best wishes and keep us posted.

Thanks everyone. The land is on an angle so the driveway will be 6 meters from the front, and reducing to 4.5 meters on the other side. My question was mainly around how it will look from the street... I have gone for a drive around the neighbourhood and think it will be ok. It is an established area and most people have fences. If we plant out the garden with some scrubs and get double glazing for the window, I think it will be ok. it is a quiet street, so not too worried about the noise. I just don't want it to look ridiculous. Thanks again!

Looking at the plan, it looks like the rumpus was the original single garage or carport, then with upstairs extension, have done their best to create some form of driveway cover. I would think, if a double garage could of been built, it would of been done with the other renovations.

What rooms are on the northern side of the house? You’ll make more use of outdoor seating if it is easily accessible from inside, and you have the right aspect for a passive solar design. Carefully plan a pergola to allow winter sun but block summer heat, and add a deciduous climber to assist.