I'm amazed that this discussion has carried forward for nearly two years! In that time I have moved to another coastal area (cooler climate and better proximity to children) and this time found most of the discussion still rings true. Finding another home here was an incredibly frustrating journey made all the worse by a mad investor rush in the area just when we arrived to start our home search. That search took the best part of six months and in the end there would only be three or four houses to choose from in any week. Result? A rushed purchase, a desperately inadequate building inspection and failure on my part to notice poor bathroom tiling, shortage of closet and storage pace, just how small the lounge room really was, and etc. I disappointed myself because I had let the pressures beat me and now we are trying to resolve all of these issues in a home designed and built by one of this states most respected project home builders 25 years ago. Having now studied the floor plan with more care I realise it was put together (designed) in modular fashion - most bedrooms have similar dimensions and the living areas are all approximately the same size as if the designer simply juggled three boxes of one size and four of another size and then worked out traffic flow. Then he must have thrown them all in the air to see how they would land and that was design number two! And etc and so on. This house aside, we looked at a great many during the six months because we had to broaden our search above and below budget trying to find something. There were massive termite problems, leaky roofs, asbestos galore, gazzumping at every turn, almost all but the most expensive properties suffered at least one substantial fail for the most basic of needs and to top it off the best home in our price range just happened to be built on flood prone land - approved by council who put the flood signs up less than five years earlier. We live and learn. Then there were the real estate agents, but that would take another two years and I doubt the internet has enough free page space available!!! OK, I hear you, they're not ALL bad...

Just moved in.... lots of space, light, floor to ceiling Windows. Totally solar and off the grid. Totally self sufficient. Double sided tile fire. Best inclusion was a bench seat incorporated into the Island bench.

Traditionally if they were painted (not stained timber) they would have been painted to match the trim colour in a semi-gloss or gloss paint. They would never have been painted the same as the wall paint as the wall finish (probably a low-sheen) is not suited to the wear that doors get, and is harder to clean than a semi-gloss.

So Lizzie Ellis, Tell me the garage north wall is NOT on the boundary please! If it is we just have to miss out on all the beautiful free heating and sunlight that helps a home be so comfortable! Here I have a plan with four bedrooms or a study to the west which could open to the deck. Laundry, bathroom and two bedrooms on south and east unchanged. With all bedrooms together and depending on measurements the family room can convert to main bedroom using same sliding external doors if it needs to go west at all. Kitchen now becomes half ensuite and half pantry. The dining table would be better in this position and adjust opening from entry to not interrupt it. Banquet seating might be a good option too. The garage becomes living area on the north side of home with extended decking which I wondered if it could go around the garage to ground level at the front? Please excuse the most inaccurate, rumpty drawing but I just wanted to give you an idea of how I could see to improve your home. Happy to chat about this, draw it accurately or any other assistance I can provide. Cheers Margot