Ok, so I received the other handle I was looking at from Sydney. The smaller one , does come in a larger size if required, it is however satin chrome and would match the octagonal knobs. The new one is brushed Nickel , the same as my pendant lights. I had not even noticed this until the new handle arrived as I did not hold them up against the lights. If I chose the nickel ones I would need to also choose a new knob for the cabinets. Thoughts appreciated :)

It's an idea I've been contemplating myself so I did a search on "island with dining table", this was probably closest to what you described. I plan to convert our (never used) dining room at the front of Calif. bungalow into a bedroom and enlarge current kitchen into adjacent informal dining area so this option would work well (if I can get H to agree that is!)

To be honest I wasn't blown away by any of them this time around. I think this series has been quite disappointing, not a patch on the last two. As much maligned as she was I think Dea had the best design cred & styling ability.

thanks everyone. oklouise, plans look fantastic! After some serious evaluation and looking how much garden would be left at the back with all the bedrooms downstairs (and wanting to put an 8x4 shed at the back) we are almost concluding that we need to put some stuff upstairs to maximise the block. Initially we thought about just one room but it seems the setup costs to get up there (approx 60k we've been told) make us think we may as well put more up there and maximise the size of the block to allow us to have a garden and veggie patches, trees, chicken coop etc. I was concerned if we gave the kids their own space upstairs we would never see them, but I think in reality putting the second living area upstairs with 2 bed and a bathroom is probably going to extend the life of the house and appeal to more if we do well it later.. . I also read a few chapters of a book from the 1970s architect talking about the optimum design for small families suggesting that there should be 3 non bedroom areas; one for children, one for adults (to not be parents) and a common area for both, which resonated with me - can't recall the name of the book. We spoke with a engineer 're the excavation for garage and they estimated 60k, and I think I'd prefer to build up in that case. not sure if I would bother with a balcony though as it would push us to to 3 outdoor areas, but may really improve the facade with a balcony... listened to those podcasts from the undercover architect - absolutely fantastic. so much food for thought. Now realise how lucky we are to have the view north.