Progress, our laundry is becoming a laundry bathroom and sink is in and washing machine working a big relief when you have 3 children under 6. First photo can see washing machine sink next to external door, I was planning to mount dryer above bench but have found out my dryer is not able to be mounted on wall..... oh well I don't use it very often it can live in the garage maybe more overhead cupboards Second photo new external door where window was ,,, am loving the extra light and the direct access to the clothes line. You can see the existing toilet area. The old broom cupboard now has a window for light and ventilation and plumbing for shower Third photo the opening for the new cavity door into spare bedroom yet to be completed. The plumbing showing hole in wall as we have put an outdoor shower both hot and cold, taps for washing machine and sink. We also had to put water and drain in for shower. In answer to the costing $5500 for the demolition, doors windows and all plumbing. cabinets $1500 $500 for the fittings taps 2 showers etc Still have to tile and paint We are happy with the way it is looking

I love this topic and look forward to seeing the finished article (and the idyllic photos that will go with it, which make me feel warm and happy and imagine my kids playing gently in nicely arranged, light-filled spaces, while they're actually sitting in a spewed-everywhere puddle of Lego having extremely violent Lego-spaceship-wars). We have 3 kids and I juggle professional work as well as study, so I've got lots of other things sussed - vegies get delivered, meals are bulk-cooked, we have a great system of plastic boxes which allow leftovers to be pre-packed the night before for school lunches (cooked beans and a mini tub of dip make a great school snack), compost and chook-recycling of food waste are automatic, everyone does homework at the same time on the kitchen table (and I sneak in another hour's study or reading at the same time!) In short, most aspects of our household run like a machine. But cleaning is not my thing (although having a clean house really is!) and on a bad day it seems like nobody else cares, so this is where my attention is at the moment. I have a few new tactics which are very successful so far. * Alignment of incentives. "You want to go to Hayden's house to play basketball? Not until all beds are made and the laundry is hung out. If you don't want to help, that's fine, but it will take me a lot longer by myself." And I am very hard-nosed when I say this, the kids know it, so they pitch in. * Deal with smells before visual mess - clutter can be annoying for me, but a persistent smell can totally ruin the whole family's mood without anyone realising it. Water soluble lavender oil spray is my go-to. I am also a fiend about removing leftover pieces of fruit from schoolbags etc straightaway. The compost bin is well sealed, and things in the fridge are not allowed to stay there long enough to develop intelligence. * As Melissa said above, have a spot for everything & make sure everyone is involved in the putting away. We have races, games, songs or very fun rock CDs reserved for cleaning (Van Halen!), we ask the kids to help with "feeding the laundry monster" by bringing dirty clothes & sports gear to the laundry. Limit new toys and games, especially bulky ones, and move unused-ones out quickly. New things in the house must have a spot nominated for them by the evening, or something else must go out to make room. * We have multiple sets of outdoor shoes (thongs/crocs, work boots, gumboots etc): at least one pair for each person at each doorway. In nice big crates, so we don't have to look at it. SO if I want to go outside to grab some fresh herbs or the kids want to play Star Wars, the shoes are just -there-, sit on the crate while you put them on, and leave them at the door when you're done. The tracked-in mud from short trips was driving me crazy so I went to the local outlet and got extra boots for everyone, made some super-simple treated pine boxes, and it works. * I wipe down wet-area surfaces (showers, bathroom benches, kitchen benches) with whatever almost-dirty cloth is available whenever I go past. Towel or tea-towel about to go to the laundry? Give everything a quick wipe before I fling it in the machine. Consistent small cleaning has been more effective for me than less frequent big cleaning days. Nobody wants to do the bathrooms anyway, but if the benches are clean there's only the toilet and the floor to do. It also reminds me to clear bench surfaces so clutter doesn't build up. * My husband does the same with floors. Dust bunnies and grit drive him crazy, so he gives one room a thorough sweep or a vacuum each evening and it never builds up. And *Ask for help outside the immediate family when it all goes pear-shaped. Get your parents in law to come over. Call on your friends - and be there for them to call when they need it, in a straightforward and easy way. Know your neighbours (you don't have to like them) but set up a way where you can look out for each other. 'Supermum' is a myth, get over it, because everyone who is juggling a lot needs help sometimes. Anwyay that's my contribution. I didn't mean to write such an essay. I hope there's something in that which is useful to you.

Hello lovelies - you guys have been busy this afternoon. Thank you sincerely for all your efforts to accommodate us and our limitations. I really am touched by the thoughtfulness and time you have invested in our little project. The rest of the house for some reason is not really bothering me... I guess because I'll be spending a fair bit of time in the master, that's probably the reason why I need it to be 'just right'... I need it designed in such a way that will help, not hinder - whilst also be practical, safe and beautiful. Simple things that will promote independence for me, rather than continue to dictate reliance on others which I bloody hate :( Little things like that will do wonders for my self esteem and self confidence and go a long way for me, being the person I used to be... somewhere along the way, I feel that person has gotten lost in a fog of chronic pain in my chest and my back. Others have it worse. Please don't think I'm playing my own orchestra of violins here lol. But if we can nail this, then the rest of the house will be easy lol! oklouise has got my studio room sorted perfectly. And I'm pretty sure the kitchen/butlers pantry and laundry/mud room are looking very schmick already. So I'm hoping once I have this sorted, I won't be around to bother you guys again - hey, there's a light at the end of the tunnel lol. I love what you are trying to do for us siri... it looks like a glam bathroom which I appreciate.... all the practicalities of a hospital style bathroom, but with some gorgeous glamour... I think that is very cool. This is all so very new to me and it's been a great journey of discovery about what is out there.... the picture you painted, the coloured tiles, timber etc... I could see it and I think it would be perfect. Just so I get it right in my own head to clarify - does this awesome large double walk in shower have those narrow walls on either side for a little privacy, shower curtain or glass sliding doors? I guess that is one thing that has me tripped up at the moment. Pro's and con's for all of it. I need something that will look beautiful and still show light, whilst giving me some 'privacy' .... I don't tend to cry in front of my children but if I want to have a moment to let some things go, it would be nice to have a little sook in the shower without anyone seeing me. Obviously I'm very self conscious also so I do think Philip's original 3D image of those large glass sliders was very appealing to me as I could hide behind those without fear of being even more vulnerable in front of my children. I love the romantic idea of the shower curtain and believe it would bring a lovely softness to the space....cleaning wise, it may be a good option if I can swap it out with another to clean as you suggested Siriuskey... something that will be easy to 'clean/maintain' with all of my issues will be key either way. I do have a cleaner that comes once a fortnight to do all the big jobs that I can't do anymore so I'm conscientious of still having a beautiful space in between those cleans and I do worry that the glass may be quite high maintenance for someone like me who physically can't keep it clean in between the cleaner doing it for me if that all makes sense. So I guess that's why I thought maybe the short walls at either end might work? I did a little research earlier tonight on HOUZZ that mentioned about a treatment applied to glass that helps with soap scum etc???? Anyone familiar with that? If that is the case, then I would pick a lovely tinted/sandblasted glass I think - that will still allow light to fly around. Brixnmorta - many thanks for the security film suggestion!!! I appreciate the link for it - thank you so much. I have saved it for future reference. Thank you oklouise for your beautiful plans. You don't have to continue guys. I have some excellent plans as they stand now to take to the builder so feel free to help others :) You've already done more than enough for me xx PS. Siri - that fireplace! OMG! How nice is that?! We'll use a fireplace or set up an awesome fire pit/fireplace in the alfresco area - and that will be perfect. I also am a lover of candles so can have mini fires all over our bedroom lol xxxx

When our building company architect had drawn up the plans and we'd gone on to the next stage of "add-ons", we requested a niche in the tiled shower area for shampoos etc, but were told it can't be done due to water-tight issues. Then, during the walk-through before signing off, we mentioned this to the building supervisor, and he was surprised about our request of a shelf being declined, and said that we should've asked them before they tiled. But, since we'd already made quite a few changes to the standard plan, we didn't want to cause any aggro. Now we have one of those metal extendable corner shelves. So, it pays to get a second opinion.