You might like to get in touch with Andy Pickard: http://www.ajpengineering.com.au/ He specializes in home energy efficiency advise and retrofitting particular to the Canberra climate and issues. We have a unique climate in this region - not just because of the extreme temperatures, but also because of how vapor behaves in our walls, which makes choosing the right insulation important :) Goodluck! Should be lovely after you've installed it! (I work at Jigsaw Housing, the collaboration of architect + builder + scientist, and we specialize in energy efficient homes. I also do casual private consultations for people that are just looking for a bit of design/efficiency advice that's not really worth taking to an architect for a full service.)

I read a lot about synthetic turfs and decided to not go for it . Planning to level up use grass pavers and go with real grass rather. Just FYI here as someone else might find it useful. I found this video after weeks of research ! Of course in YouTube and Google. I was alarmed at the effects that prolonged exposure to these kinds of materials can cause to our children and our community. I wanted to bring this to your attention so you would be aware of the side effects if you were planning for synthetic turf in any of the school areas. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UEVeAmqHTSM https://www.center4research.org/children-athletes-play-toxic-turf-playgrounds/ We r still going to use HDPE type paver plastic underneath but covered by real grass and pebbles ! . still a much greener option and life time is minimum 20 years plus made from r cycled plastic. Looking at cirtex or turf grid pavers.

emerald..don't know how you full time mum does it..I wouldn't be able to cope lol I only work part time and yet on the days I work I don't even look after myself properly lol. took the kids to Yum Cha today so I bought groceries at Melb Central before hopping on the train back .. just making a stir fry tonight..was going to have stir fried noodles..turned out my Hokkien noodles are expired..this is the reason why I don't buy stuff beforehand lol so will wing it and have with rice..one wok wonder with some scallops from the freezer.. my kids are easy they don't ever whinge about what I cook they know better..as sometimes I don't cook at all lol

before committing to the decoration why not plan for how you use the space..do you need storage for toiletries, towels, cleaning products and toilet paper etc start with the new vanity (with or without wall cabinets) ..you may be able to use a shorter vanity with gaps at either end (as in your photo) to give more a look of free standing furniture..using tiles salvaged from the old vanity to patch the walls..i think the tiles look so much better than altering just one wall for shiplap and you can avoid having to change the tiles elsewhere and focus expenditure on new taps, toilet roll holder, power point covers, light fittings etc