We have a glass rangehood similar to Futuro Futuro's Acqualina Glass product and I love it. The top and bottom of the glass gets given a clean about once a week with citrus multi-purpose cleaning spray and then wiped down with a moistened glass cleaning cloth for a pristine finish. Takes around 5 minutes in total. Cleaning the brushed stainless part is more difficult. As mentioned previously, its hard to remove all the marks. Will definately try the WD40. Me, personally, I don't like the mirrored finish. Given the window is acting as the "splashback" I would have gone for something invisible like what Sheryl Horton showed.

To Uyenvy Le...hope I got hat right...as they say "Great Minds..." I've never forgoten my early "nuddie days on Nauru Island" just after WWII...a whole tribe of little chocolate and vanilla kids with the whole Island as our playground...the older ones with a littley to watch over. Now, I was about to log off when I read an article by a fellow who says that its unhealthy to wash too much or have long baths...that in his opinion equate to "stewing in your own juice". He advocates a short shower without soap about tice a week otherwise a 'sink wash'....and expounds his theories based on the healthy, supple, smoothe skin of jungle natives who do not bathe or use soap....all their natural oils preserved....lalalaaa.. Started me thinking about an pleasurable alternative to "stewing" (his opinion)...I like to have a shower after a long bath both to close the pores and rinse off any.."juice". Oh YUK, why did he have to spoil my heaven! I spent years in Italy in a community where people did not bathe at all or use soap but showered briefly on Saturdays so to go to church on Sundays...it was the worst, so I'm not going to go without my ablutions ever again. But...what if there were such water restrictions that we were all limited to a measured amount of water per person? What of our showers and tubs? That started me thinking on how to remain sweet smelling and really clean. My solution was...SAUNA! I go up to the local Gym for a swim a sauna and a massage just to keep as much mobility as possible and I love the Sauna! You mentioned the Spa..but that requires copious water...then there's communal bathing...which is not something I've done as an adult...that also requires water plus...so SAUNA!... I am having increasing problems getting out of my tub. I'd researched the disability 'walk in tubs' that are filled after one gets in and closes the door on the side and in which one sits on a seat submerged in the water, the Molly Bather which is a belt that lowers one into and out of the tub...but being a permanent fixture it spoils the look of the bathroom...and I like pretty bathrooms as well as functional ones...So many options to getting into and out of a tub....some sort of pretty others not. Not because that fellow has worried me but just that I want to enjoy a really thorough, healthy invigorating cleanse that is easy to access, that is relaxing without making a bathoom that resembles sports locker room showers, the ablution wing of an institution or the disbility facilities in a hospital. Maybe remove my lovely tub and replace it with a state of the art practical sauna room could be the go. Any comments Houzzers?

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.

Thanks everyone There‘a a few comments regarding the location of the garage. Sadly we cannot put the garage on the south side. The tree showing on the council land is regulated and we have been unsuccessful in getting approval to remove it so have no choice but to put it on the north side. We want the main living areas (kitchen/dining/living) all at the back of the block as we spend a lot of time outdoors and want to integrate the indoor/outdoor living. We also wanted to avoid having the bedrooms in the back so when either us, or the kids when they get older, are entertaining, we are not affected by noise. dreamer - do you know a way in which I can model the sun? We’ve played with many different pool locations but decided that’s the best place as it’s close to the entertaining area and not tucked far away in a corner. I would have thought it was far enough away from both the alfresco and the fence to get maximum sun. macyjean - yes I started again to include more info and better pictures in hopes of gaining more informed feedback. afjp - we did consider having the main living on the north but would prefer to have the main living areas integrating with the main part of the backyard. Sadly we have no choice in the location of the garage as above pottsy99 - yes I’ve added a toilet on the magic plan and will get the drafter to add to the proper plan. Yes it would be a solid roof over the alfresco but have considered putting ceiling height windows to get light into the kitchen. Haha we are very food orientated and outdoor people so the alfresco and the backyard will be our “relaxation” space - even in winter. kate - do you think the if I change the entry to the walk in robe it will be too far to walk to the toilet? The wardrobe is 4m long. Definitely agree about not having it too close to the bed though as yes I too am concerned it will impede on personal space so trying to find a balance between the two. I am considering recessing the hallway into the master wardrobe a little to allow for a bench in place of a hallway table. We’ve got linen storage in the kids wing and will have a small shed in the pool corner for pool toys. Will also have plenty of storage in the garage as whilst we’re allowing for 3 cars, we currently only have two. I too was concerned about it being a long way to take the dirty clothes, but I‘ve decided I’m willing to compromise as I really want the laundry close to the kitchen and at the back of the house. I currently have my dryer on the bench where we’re living now and quite like it. I was thinking though that it’s maybe more visually appealing to have both washer and dryer on the floor, but if it’s not considered functional (ie too much bending) I’d stick with having one on top of the other.