Hi Em. I'm just scrutinising your floor plan and have questions. Immediately upon entry, there is set of stairs leading down a level, and a set leading to upper level. Correct?

Then, in the double-height gallery, there appears to be another set of stairs leading to upper level & has notation 'mechanical ventilation.' Have I got that wrong? It looks like a set of stairs, but maybe it's retractable roof venting? Just need clarification before I answer your initial question. Thanks!

Another question: since there are two sets of stairs immediately upon entry, how do you walk past stairs to access rest of house? Maybe I'm being a dunce here, but I cannot see how it's possible based on this floor plan as drawn.

Hi Em,

I do like open plan but your floor plan might work better with a closed in Staircase this would help buffer the master suite

Personally I would much prefer the entrance to the Master be moved so that you enter via the bedroom and not the WIR?

Hi Em

I was thinking that you could turn right at the entry with a doorway into the bedroom at the foot of the stairs something like this with double doors to Master with Nib wall for privacy. Use the old door space for extra Robe.

Thanks Em, I should have thought of that! Siriuskey raised a very good point about door to master; however by swapping master for WIR you lose the attraction of immediate access to balcony from bedroom.

I think it would be odd to walk into a WIR before I could get to my bedroom. I don't know how much you are able to play around with design, but what if you swapped bedroom for WIR, BUT reduced size and layout of WIR so that just in front of the balcony was a small sitting area? Unless this balcony is for facade appeal only and not really meant to be functional? If not functional, then I would simply swap those two rooms.

Sorry Em my thoughts to enter master won't work, so just another rough idea as it would be a shame to lose the balcony off the master.

Same entry with a sliding door across the new opening into the WIR.

As you enter the bedroom the robe to the right has doors, mirrors or other depending on your style, plus sliding doors at the end opening into the bedroom, this will help to keep any noises out of the bedroom.

I also now think open stairs would work best for opening up and light, although solid stairs would still help to buffer the Master suite

That's a clever solution!

if possible swop the entry and garage stairs to walk up to a view through the gallery and away from the master entry... enclosing underneath the second level stairs and extending the wine store wall adds extra space to the pantry, wine store and mud room and some extra space counter next to the fridge for wall shelves or storage for display or glasses and counter for serving wine ...the side of the up-stairs could have open railing with underneath enclosed to allow alternate arrangement for the powder and ante room with an extra door to separate the laundry and powder room from the dining area (with extra soundproofing insulation around the toilet)

Hi Em

Had another look at your plan, love the kitchen but thought it would be a good idea to link it via the pantry to the laundry which would give a combined laundry/pantry with access to a second sink. I also think there's too many small spaces so I have tried to simplify this area to compliment the wine room with long straight matching cabinets.

The powder room may be able to be accessed from under the stairs or via a door built into the long bank of cupboards (secret).

You could have a door stepped back (sliding pocket)to close off the laundry/pantry from the passage way.

I looked at your ideas book and you appear to love modern. cheers