I disagree l am going with 2.5 in or 63 cm cause they are medium blade and look more traditional. We want for master bedroom with sideways view. If l go larger blade 3.5 larger opening meant for room with great view whereas l want to understate view and enhance plantation shutter look. Also l believe larger blade does not sit flush with the outside frame so can stick out. I want a clean line also medium blade let's in less light so good for bedroom. But if l wanted to put them in my lounge with a great view l would select 3.5 or 89 cm. Horses for courses...but l guess l remember WHY l wanted a plantation shutter look and that was based off a traditional look!! l am happy with my compromise of 63 cm 2.5 in med blade.

Hi maryprior892 Thanks for posting the extra information it all helps in gaining some understanding, I think it is possible to improve this existing house in a cost effective manner. Just a minor item that I picked up in regards of equipment - I think you mentioned that the existing STORAGE is actually a covered internal courtyard - I also notice that you have a hot water unit in this space - you should check that the hot-water service (if it is a gas unit) that it has sufficient ventilation and is not an external units that has been closed in - any plumber will give you this information - enclosing gas units that are designed for external use is not a good idea. I think that if you are going to make changes it not only should suit you, but also have a good resale opportunity - considering your upstairs areas it might be better to add a decent En-suite and walk in robes and getting two or three bedrooms downstairs - in this way you would have parents areas separated from children - this might have better resale and use that a tiny ES. The third bedroom downstairs could be gained by enclosing the RUMPUS room and providing access to bathroom areas by a corridor to existing bathrooms. This would also aid in getting containment areas for heating - at the moment the plan shows one open space including the upstairs - lots of heating in winter in Tasmania for all that area - some compartmentalization would probably help in combating yearly heating costs. The existing living area are certainly ample, so the loss of the rumpus to a bedroom does not detract greatly to the overall house, and in the meantime you could use the new downstairs bedroom/rumpus room as you have already mentioned as a library. I think this is achievable, but before doing a physical change, I would have a fully developed plan which includes all existing and proposed furniture to scale, with a few 3D views to enhance the concept. (It easier to change drawings than walls - a lot less dust and much cheaper) I would then obtain the opinion of a Real-estate agent (the Real-estate agent you bought it from is not a bad place to start) and maybe two others. This might help in making long term decisions in regards to investment for the future. Staging your proposed renovations is also another approach that you might investigate. Above all I would retain and obtain as many ocean views that you can possibly get, I assume that the ocean views are at the front of the house (" revealed an open fireplace in the front lounge which also has ocean views so that is fabulous.") If possible you might consider developing an external eating/sitting/entertaining area with ocean views - I certainly would be a buyer, and I would assume that it might be supported by the real-estate agent. I hope this is of some help, I would be happy to comment further on this design as more information becomes available. Michael Manias Manias Associates Building Associates mm407p@gmail.com

@wuff, Thank you so much, and congratulation for your renovation, I wish you will enjoy it for so many years to come. Yes, I agree living into a granny flat next to my son was my husband wish before he passed away. It is good to be close to family. Also I love the suburb which I have been lived in for 22 years. My Daughter and her family is living close by too. Most of my close friends are living around and we always gather for a brunch, or lunch or watch movies. The good thing is most of my friends pick me up and don't let me drive most of the time when we go out. Thank you again

I've attached the existing plan of the bedroom / study (the study was classed as a bedroom in the selling of the property as opposed to a study) and also the plans from the designer. The large window in bedroom bisects the stud wall of the rework and so I'm not sure if much can be done to make it look natural as if it belongs there hence I am thinking to brick it up and centre it around the toilet position? I will not be touching the lintel at all so structurally I wont affect anything and I am thinking I can tie the bricks to the existing brickwork Many thanks for the comment regarding Laura's treatments. I work away a lot and so her second daughter is moving in as she wants to be close to her. Daughter 1 stays with us and things are fractious between 1&2 and so it's all about creating their own areas. I also think it will add value to the house as neither the bedroom and especially the "study" are very spacious. Also for a relatively big house there is a toilet in the master ensuite and the only other toilet is in the laundry so it's not ideal. A future project might be to swap the laundry and the bathroom around Thanks again for the comments - extremely useful info....!!