Well, I can't resist... No I don't think the image is over the top.... I think it's important to realise, however, a home theatre room is not just about the aesthetics. As important, are the acoustic properties of the room. Room acoustics are important as there is nothing more annoying when having invested in a high-quality sound system for your home theatre centre, you find the sound reverberating off walls detracting from the sound fidelity and quality you expect. Get a big subwoofer going and you better hope your windows are firmly set in their frames. Drapery wall coverings like the Warwick Dolce (unlined) pictured above from one of our projects, provides an element of acoustic dampening. At the windows, we lined the drapery to provide extra dampening at those points. For those wanting heavier dampening properties, interlining the fabric with bumph is also a cost effective option that works well and allows for a larger choice of fabrics. Usually the heavier the fabric the better the dampening effect. Lining and interlining lighter fabrics allows them to provide acoustic dampening where without lining/interlining treatment they would not be appropriate for home theatre use. Having drapery lined or lined and interlined gives you a much wider choice in fabrics that could be used for your home theatre. . ... Good to keep in mind if you are wanting to ensure that you have a 'sound environment' in which to watch your favourite movies.

If you are after plans of architecturally designed homes, magazines may be your best bet (try libraries as you are unlikely to get most at the newsagent), however there are also a number of open homes and architecturally designed homes that are open to the public, including the Rose Seidler House. Also, if you are trying to get away from the kit-home look, take note of how the architects and designers use everyday material creatively in unexpected ways to achieve a highly polished look. As for your floor plans, further work is needed to the downstairs plan. I would seriously question whether you need two bathrooms downstairs. The bathroom for the guest room could be used by everyone (maybe consider setting it up as a three-way bathroom). You can remove the doors between the pantry and the butler's pantry, it is already hidden and just uses up space. As MB Design & Drafting has said, there is a lot of empty space on the downstairs plan and there is going to be an empty void around the meals area. Also of note, try to have continuity in your windows - that is, try to minimise the number of different sized windows and ensure they are standard sizes where possible (its cheaper and more cost effective to make 10 of one thing rather than 10 custom sizes); and try to ensure that the header and sills have a relationship. You have engaged an architect as you feel they are able to successfully design you ideal home. I would suggest giving the architect the ability to experiment and push your brief, otherwise you are doing yourself and them a disservice and you should have gone to a draftsperson how would have simply just drawn up your ideas as you stated them. You are on the right track, so don't give up! Often a design needs lots of discussion between the client and the architect before a great design can be achieved. Whilst it is wonderful that public forums such as this exist, ultimately the discussion needs to occur between yourselves and the architect as you are the ones who will be living there. Take time to listen to their ideas, and don't be afraid to question something you don't understand.

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Can you please stop posting unless you are responding to someones design dilemma. If everyone used this as an advertising site it would loose its purpose. It is really turning me off your company.