Our 2 kids are 6 and 3. They will have bedrooms 2 and 4. A 3rd child is on the cards in near future, but will be downstairs with us for a good while. So don't need bunk beds (unless they want them when a bit older), would be a single or king single in each room for years to come and maybe double down the track. I have realised that the 'extra' window in each room will be a highlight window, for extra lighting and cross vent. Window coverage will *probably* be plantation shutters.

you are super-patient!!! :) :) thank you :) I'm so sorry but I do actually have a couple MORE thoughts!! argh! there are just so many different options.... and this is a bit of an all consuming puzzle to try to solve. here they are: 1) study could become main bathroom - leaving new Bed 4 as per plan since it is bigger & a better size for guests. in this option, some area could be stolen from the study to boost ensuite size - even if it just made the ensuite 1 full metre. Ideally not requiring study window to change. 2) WC could potentially be separate either within this space OR at the back of the old kitchen (allowing for the remaining, longish hall wall to be shorter again) oklouise you may think some of these ideas are not very workable & I'd be so glad for your feedback & comment (and anyone else's comments as well), it's really so incredibly helpful - unbelievably helpful - to have everyone's input. i'd love recommendations on which ideas & options might work best for that balance between function & budget

Thanks siriuskey and Jen! I have been toying with this idea already.... also with making the current main bedroom into a living area (as it would make a nice sitting room, it has a great garden view). Actually, since I originally asked for help on here we have booked the job in with a builder & plumber.... still have to line up other trades but it's not happening until June next year. Below is the plan I ended up giving to the builder for his quote... but of course I am likely to change my mind about 50 times before we go ahead! Especially since as you'll see, the planned ensuite is too narrow, we will have to make it wider. RE having a WIR for the maswter, we decided a BI would be ok instead since we dont have many clothes and we'd rather use the limited space for bigger bedrooms. Also we had to double our budget to $100k as $50k (our original) wasn't going to cut it!!!! ( & we'll still have to be very careful with our spending).

What an exciting project - providing you have adequate ceiling height and the budget to pay for the services for a bespoke solution. You may want to consider using one of the better shop fitters who can design, build and project manage the whole job. They are used to doing quirky, small scale projects to a high level of detail. The better ones don't come cheap as you are paying for a multi-disciplinary service that is project managed and co-ordinated.