Love those ideas thanks Pazz. Thanks for your time on it. There is a window along the wall I have marked at 4m. However there are no windows along the wall marked 7mtr, as we are right up close to the neighbours. All natural light will only be from either end of the rooms (ensuite and other end) I like your ideas there and it's definitely a start. I wonder if there is a way to have light from the courtyard come through to the walk in robe and bedroom. I am imagining being able to see the courtyard from the bedroom but can't quite figure out how that could work? I had thought of having the walk in robe up the 4m end, but this would then limit any natural light coming in from that window. I do love what you have suggested with widening the room and doing away with the closed off lobby. Thanks again for taking time to look at this for me.

I suppose it all depends on the size of your household, how busy the bathrooms are during the morning rush, how old the kids are, and how much you want to spend on bathroom fitouts. From your plans you are looking at four bathrooms in a four bedroom house, which to many people may seem excessive (and expensive). Downstairs you have a bathroom, probably for visitors use, and for day-to day use. Does the downstairs bathroom have a bath, shower, vanity and toilet? Upstairs you have a new ensuite which looks a good size, with shower, toilet and vanity. Then there is the new family bathroom, which looks smaller than the ensuite, with shower, toilet and vanity. If I had a young family with toddlers I would possibly enlarge this bathroom to include a 1500mm long bath, but with older kids this isn't really necessary. Possibly consider balancing the size of the these two bathrooms so that they are the same size by moving the dividing wall. Both these bathrooms have semi-recessed basins which many people don't like. You have the room for full depth vanity, which gives you more options when selecting your vanity basin and tapware, as well as more benchspace. Then there is the older, upstairs bathroom, which you are keeping the same, with the laundry chute, possibly to save money on a new bathroom fit out? If this older bathroom already has a toilet and vanity you probably don't need an additional powder room upstairs. There is no issue with having an ensuite and family bathroom back to back, and it makes sense as far as plumbing, and sharing sewer stacks etc. Have you discussed with your draftsperson how these will be concealed from the downstairs rooms? Best of luck, Dr Retro of Dr Retro House Calls

Hi oklouise, thank you for the 3D drawing it really does make it easier to visualize the project. :-) To your question of why we are keeping the wall between the kitchen and dining......... The original plan (we got it from the council) is not true to the current kitchen design. The current kitchen is unworkable. The wall that divides it from the dining room is brick and has a tiled bench with cupboards underneath and one very narrow open shelf and room for a fridge. There is a small island bench parallel with that which has electric hotplates (that don't work properly) with minimal to no set down on either side and a rangehood that sounds like a plane taking off. I cannot open my fridge door all the way as the island has been built too close (it cannot be moved). On the other side of the island bench is a column that houses an oven on one side and a robinhood ironing board/centre which doesn't work, on the other. There is a sink under the window with minimal set down on the LHS. The wall that divides the two rooms will accommodate the new hotplates, rangehood and ovens. The new sink will replace the old one under the window and a new island, parallel with the window will give me the bench space I am missing. (I know that many like to have a sink or hotplates on the island, however I will be happy with just bench and drawers). By the way, none of the internal walls are load bearing. Hi siriuskey. I love the fireplace and it works - sad to see it go however, we will dismantle it and rebuild it outside and replace it with a closed wood heater on the wall near where the old laundry is. And your suggestion of extending the ensuite in that direction is a good one . Hi Paul Di Stefano Design, yes we have discussed the design with a couple of professional design companies, and even considered bulldozing and rebuilding however that was going to be a more expensive option, and we have gorgeous established gardens that we want to keep. I agree, we are touching almost everything and discovering more issues as we go.

I have struggled with these same questions. i have asked for advice from tradespeople, tile sellers, researched many bathrooms by designers and have come to the conclusion that it is ultimately what you personally will be happy with, unless you intend to sell your place in next 5 years. I am told that tiles are the most expensive thing to change if you wish to change the look but tap fittings etc is easy. I think as Kate said, you want to keep something in common across all bathrooms . I have seen one bathroom design change the terrazzo colour from one bathroom to another. If you have the space, accessories can also provide links to the bathrooms... eg towels, Knick knacks, lights etc