Thank you robandlyn. I am definitely leaning towards the karndean especially for the kids. I might use it for a splashback?? hi the interior therapist. Thank you for your reply. The budget that was put into our build (by the builder) makes hardwood floors an extra $23k. Although the 600 x 600 are expensive to lay it still comes in at less than half the price including bathrooms. We had hardwood in our last house, I liked it but it scratched and dented with chairs and kids dragging their sandy bikes inside. i am worried that I will choose the tile and hate the cleaning and potential slippery accidents in summer but I worry about the look of karndean....... is it very plasticky? I have some samples but it's very hard to tell from such a small piece. Is the tile we have chosen too 'busy' for all areas? Maybe I have really bad taste and it's an ugly tile lol Thanks so much for all your help guys :)

Thank you siriuskey. Yes that's what I was referring to, but I think I wasn't giving credit to the island sink, which would also serve for food prep. I was thinking about efficiency from my perspective. Euro bins next to sink in island, would be beneficial for ease of handling waste. Another consideration is: when using cooktop and extraction fan, will noise from fan interfere with person in study? Also, will steam from say, boiling water steam bother anyone using the study desk? I am not trying to throw cold water on the plan by my questions, I'm merely trying to imagine diff scenarios so as much as can be taken into consideration is. I have a glass splashback behind induction cooktop and a very effective extraction fan; however, when a large pot of water is at full boil, the glass steams up something chronic and I have to constantly wipe it and the underside of exhaust fan or else water drips down onto the cooktop (and any food I'm cooking).

i would be reluctant to make any major changes until you're ready to consider an extension to take best advantage of the great northern views towards your proposed new back gardens so my first suggestion is to check true dimensions of every room including bath, toilet and laundry and then make an accurate site plan with specific location of house, existing driveways, shed and any trees you want to keep and then check with council to find out if its possible to build a new garage in the front yard (or on the boundary as the old garage appear to be located)...an accurate site plan will allow you to begin planning future renovations and gardens and unless the old garage is beyond repair, subject to council approval, why not consider adding a new garage in the front yard and renovating the old garage to use as a shade house and garden workshop ...short term my suggestions include a new entry foyer, home office and pantry.. stage 2 has a new kitchen family and master suite and repurpose existing rooms (with the old kitchen post relocated into the new doorway between entry foyer and lounge) and stage 3 would include a new garage at the south west corner of the block and best location of alfresco will depend on your choice of location of garage and extensions but a covered space between old garage (new garden room?) and new kitchen could be worthwhile...

hearing that you have already started making changes, ie turning the garage into living space, I think you mentioned a master suite, My suggestion has 3 bedrooms together with a Master including an Ensuite using the existing kitchen Plumbing plus a parents retreat, all rooms could having openings to decks etc Not knowing the family and how many children, ages etc, I suggest that they use the Powder room and bathroom below the split level which is just a few stairs ( we did this with our kids which was very successful), small children could use the ensuite WC during the night A bath could easily be added to your new garage work The master would have water glimpses plus morning sun In my experience kids love to be where the action and food is, the new kitchen family etc would take care of their needs Your new rooms in the garage could be used as guest/parent accommodation or just a rumpus room with bathroom and kitchenette