We live in a similar aged blond brick apartment building and are in the process of upgrading balustrading and common areas. After much research, we have decided to go with a stainless steel and glass system to bring it up to compliance standard and give it a much needed facelift. Frosted glass for the lower levels for privacy. This is still a work in progress (having matching curtains or blinds would make a big difference, but it's difficult getting owners to comply). I'd say that new modern balustrading, new uniform awnings and consistent painted white trim (lower level unit needs to paint their timber windows and doors) would make a big difference. Using mid or dark grey as a highlight is a popular choice for modernising older brick buildings. Perhaps painting the cream slab would add some contrast to the facade, or maybe going with a darker colour blind.

Hi there, I'm no 'expert' however... French doors, are they going to be able to open back on themselves? As I notice that off your kitchen in the wee corner - when the doors are open this will become unusable space (as they will need to be fastened / hooked somehow to stay open). I would also suggest a cavity slider for your pantry (unless your plans already show this, am not sure), rather than a door or just an opening. Our tv also sits in a similar position - we get quite a lot of glare through our large windows - we ended up tinting them 1 shade darker than normal (when we double glazed). And I still haven't worked out if I want blinds or come form of curtain. Good luck with it all.

Bay Windows can be gorgeous but need more space away from outside footpaths and driveways to look best and the new framework would have to be about 75cms out from the existing outside walls to include a comfortable window seat..and installing a new bay window in an existing window may not be cheaper because you have to first remove the old window and then custom build a new structure and window to suit the available space so it may be better to consider another position around the house, even if it means removing a solid wall..look for a wall space at least 2m wide with at least 1m plus a footpath width clear space outside, preferably looking onto the back garden not the neighbour's side fence

You can get slim range hoods that generally fit into the wall cabinets ours were approx 40cm deep which housed the complete operation, our plumber ran a 6 or so inch flexable ducting into the roof cavity and out under the eaves. Most brands make these. A photo would be helpful. https://www.thegoodguys.com.au/omega-52cm-undermount-rangehood-oru50x?CAWELAID=620013790000422290&CAGPSPN=pla&CAAGID=21711678566&CATCI=pla-376401441757&gclid=CjwKCAjw0qLOBRBUEiwAMG5xMNN63iJr0n0Bnxf31-Gt0t5s0vERt_lOwOYkC6uzovf9TDWwawry9RoCgxQQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds&dclid=CLOv9erawdYCFc0slgodE5oLHg Where we didn't have wall cabinets we had tall boxes of stainless look laminate built up to the ceiling which contained the extraction unit, which was approx 30-40cm's and extraction ducting cheers