Vy - I can't work out how to email you. https://www.houzz.com.au/discussions/4252622/pensioner-painting-own-home There is a post seeking help with a colour question, but it's in Photo Questions. Link above.

Hello oklouise I am sorry not to be able to respond more promptly I have been uber busy. Wow I love the plan for the bathroom - thank you!!! But I am really going to have to wait on my master suite and change a few things as I have spoken to a Renovator Friend who has made me aware my budget is a problem.. to the point I am giving the existing house AS IS to my in-law and just focusing on the extension for my family. :-/ for now? Always wanted a Master Suite!!!! The bedroom will have to be my office for now and I will out a door in what would be my future bathroom. (Insert crying emoji) Reno Friend has suggested get rid of wall separating mud room/ stairs area. She suggests flip entrance to stairs to closer to door (thereby giving opportunity for full windows over west entrance door allowing western sun. Full height wall where stairs end and slider door there to the middle living/dining wall she suggests we keep. Effectively divides the space into 1/3-2/3. I will need a kitchen in my laundry now as I can't access toilet in extension. Upstairs study will now be my bedroom - so area over void will become my wardrobe. Reno Friend vetoed the fireplace under stairs and said it has to be on western external wall. All these ideas she has a budget reason for implementing .. so. My Feng Shui lady will be despairing. I am quite deflated but the budget is what it is, it's going to be a few years to finish I guess. Thank you and instead I am sending a virtual feast of your inclination!!! Xx

You will find that the cheaper light fittings that include bulbs will probably use less energy efficient bulbs that will burn out faster and need replacement. There are also some brands of cheap LED bulbs (such as Kogan) on the market that don't perform (or last) as long as their more expensive cousins. If you have cathedral ceilings then I would suggest that you buy quality bulbs that have some guarantee as to the number of hours they will last as changing downlight bulbs in a cathedral ceiling can be challenging when they get up high. Cathredral ceilings are better with the tiltable downlights as they are very directional, and it would be good to have some control where the light actually falls. You don't want to make a feature of the downlights so they should match the ceiling colour. If you have a white ceiling then go with the white lights. If you are lucky enough to have a timber ceiling then go with the brushed nickel as the white downlights will contrast too much. I would strongly recommend against using downlights with a cathedral ceiling as you have no roof space, and the holes in your cathedral ceiling will make heat loss and heat gain much worse if you care about sustainability. Cathedral ceilings always look best with pendants and uplights to make a feature of the ceiling by bouncing light off the sloping ceiling, rather than shining harsh downlights down, which actually helps conceal the cathedral ceiling. I suggest you find a cathedral ceiling with downlights and look at the fitting while it is on to see how glarey they can look. Best of luck with your research, Dr Retro of Dr Retro House Calls

Yes Jacqueline, we are in Qld, and at the moment, the humidity is stifling. Not much breeze til late afternoon for months and we're not going to have air con in for at least the first Summer. I get those fans don't work for you but builder hasn't batted an eyelid, ha ha! I must admit, I don't love obstructing the kitchen pendants but I have small kids and our dining table is a homework space, crafting bay, meeting point with friends for morning teas, etc, not just a dinner table, so it's imperative we have a fan somewhere in this space. We currently have the same layout of dining, living, kitchen and there is just one fan between the dining and living and it does absolutely nothing for anyone in either of those rooms (I currently have two pedestals blaring, ha ha!), so it was high on my list to amend...somehow! As for the lights, I'm glad you have confidence in Beacon. I wasn't sure how much of their advice centres on design vs functional layout of lighting. I think your idea of many dimmers is great! I had requested it already for master and MPR (front lounge area) but wondered if I would be being pedantic seeing them elsewhere. But I think it would be great to be able to dim the lights in the living area as you're winding down for the evening, maybe reading a book or just creating some atmosphere. Thanks for your input.