I didn't realise you were into my age group, you are holding up very well. I thought the house was new, that is great you have long term options, are you in a Seniors development with Anglicare? They seem to be very good, they do a lot for my mother-in-law. If the lounge is for you in the hot weather then go all out with a chaise. I just love mine, trouble is I rarely finish a TV programme before I nod off. Posting photos is easy, assuming you will be using a normal camera and Microsoft - I don't know Apple, can't work it out from my iPod. Download your photos to your computer, then click on the "attach images" below here. You can only do one at a time with a limit of 4. Click on 'browse' below and you will get a drop down box "choose file to upload". Click on Pictures options, click on a photo and then click "open". The next box on here with then give you the 'browse' option and you repeat the process. Hope you have a great trip to Townsville. Haven't been there, I've done Rocky, McKay, Bowen, Cairns and Port Douglas. Cairns and PD were great for shopping, but of course they are very touristy so there is heaps on offer.

Hi kazzi18 Nice house, strong frontal appeal and typical of the period, I would not change the front with the exception of trimming some trees so that it can be seen slightly better. I think that what you propose is possible and the budget seem close. Here some things that you might like to consider: 1. To give it a required style I would do it by changing slight details to the front if change is required. The handrail has to meet the Australian Building Code (NCC) especially for height and minimum width between balusters. (Cannot tell from the pics that you posted). You may be able to amend it and keep the original - steel can be welded successfully if required. 2. To get your third bedroom I would do a number of sketch plans maybe from a couple of professionals - this will give you an independent view of possibilities - I think a good investment, and you are not tied top any professional that may have their own design agenda once you sign on the dotted line. There is quite a bit of information on your posted plan, dimension wise, you really need a few heights and some information of sewer and drainage all relatively easy to obtain. Then its just a matter of emailing a couple of Building Designers of your choice. Some photos of the side elevation will help in determining an approximate slope, you could employ a surveyor to do a site survey with falls and features (you would most likely will need to employ one eventually - especially if you are going to build close to boundaries or renew any fencing - should have your block surveyed so that you don't suddenly become noted by any surprises in relation to boundaries.) 3. When you are happy with your layout (Sketch Design) you can then employ a Building Designer/Architect/Drafts-person to provide you with documents for a Town Planning application and a Building Permit as required. In the long run you could save some money, by this process, and get your preferred outcome. I have done initial sketch plans for a few clients and it generally results in a fruitful outcome. 4. Both Bedroom 1 and 2 seem to be ample in size, however storage (Walk in Robes) are slightly small especially for a master bedroom. So reclaiming the downstairs space for bedrooms seem to be the way to go , you would certainly have to seal the garage exhaust fumes from such area and may be provide a new internal stair link to the main area. These are the sort of issues that can be sorted out with a little bit of "design work" ideas to determine the best solution. Regards Michael Manias - mm407p@gmail.com Building Designers

What is on the second floor?. Is this a slab on ground? Is the kitchen dining on a lower level, is this a built in verandah? Depending on if this is a slab on ground or raised off ground so that plumbing can easily be done, i would take out the laundry, just leave fireplace, maybe make that two way fireplace, wood or gas, and have dining here, which would open up that funny sitting room to this dining space and provide kids play area with build in window seats and the like. Does anyone really use formal dining now? build in the gap from sitting to front room, maybe even stealing a bit of space for storage. I would enclose that room next to entry to the study as most studies nowadays do not have to be massive spaces, unless clients are involved, that would make it quite place. With the storage space taken out for the dining play area, this would still be big enough for most. I would remove the existing study wall or at least open it up if structural to have the butlers pantry one side laundry the other with a gallery kitchen in front. Making the remainder the living space. Depending on budget i would raise the floor so that all this space is on one level. Depending on what the floor is or how many finishes you have i would make sure they are all the same. New timber floor, or new tiled floor, or carpet, what ever you like. If the terrace is then too low it might be able to be lifted simply to meet this new level. I would remove the hall cupboards to give more space to the living area and provide a wall with door if you like into the lounge room and guest suite from entry and then make the bedroom bathroom hall more private so that anyone staying will have a master suite, entry off entry, while family could still use the facilities. I think most people could cope with 3 entries off the entry, and the living door could be left open so that visually it can be seen as you enter the house, or if privacy is required, now that the hall cupboards are removed the entry to the living could be shifted down. If the laundry and garage were a bit bigger i would suggest a double garage, but they are too small. To keep the kitchen and dining in their current space would be one mistake after the other, unless you are overlooking some amazing views. Ros

Sorry to continue....the plan by Louise on the 20/01/2017.... But the laundry ( with internal access or through cloak room) and ensuite to the rear of the garage the master behind...... Then a Wir separating the master form the living or a bathroom...... The a fireplace if required against the western wall central in the house.... The entrance and small cloak room for the winter woollies against the garage and the other three beds at the front RHS with bath near.... The lounge/ kitchen/ dining in a similar layout but with minimal a walls blocking the view from the entry to the living/kitchen .... I like at lease a small wall dividing the living and lounge for the teenagers also.... If I get an chance I will sketch something up. Good luck this the paperwork... Plans are the fun part.