I'm amazed that this discussion has carried forward for nearly two years! In that time I have moved to another coastal area (cooler climate and better proximity to children) and this time found most of the discussion still rings true. Finding another home here was an incredibly frustrating journey made all the worse by a mad investor rush in the area just when we arrived to start our home search. That search took the best part of six months and in the end there would only be three or four houses to choose from in any week. Result? A rushed purchase, a desperately inadequate building inspection and failure on my part to notice poor bathroom tiling, shortage of closet and storage pace, just how small the lounge room really was, and etc. I disappointed myself because I had let the pressures beat me and now we are trying to resolve all of these issues in a home designed and built by one of this states most respected project home builders 25 years ago. Having now studied the floor plan with more care I realise it was put together (designed) in modular fashion - most bedrooms have similar dimensions and the living areas are all approximately the same size as if the designer simply juggled three boxes of one size and four of another size and then worked out traffic flow. Then he must have thrown them all in the air to see how they would land and that was design number two! And etc and so on. This house aside, we looked at a great many during the six months because we had to broaden our search above and below budget trying to find something. There were massive termite problems, leaky roofs, asbestos galore, gazzumping at every turn, almost all but the most expensive properties suffered at least one substantial fail for the most basic of needs and to top it off the best home in our price range just happened to be built on flood prone land - approved by council who put the flood signs up less than five years earlier. We live and learn. Then there were the real estate agents, but that would take another two years and I doubt the internet has enough free page space available!!! OK, I hear you, they're not ALL bad...

@solarventi, Hi, sorry, I didnt work it correctly, It is an interesting concept, but I am not getting it>>> bit slow... How do you heat up in winter in Vic when we get very little sun and the weather has turned Artic this year, Main reason I am noticing the cold, especially when working outside. I do have low blood pressure so feel the cold, but the red clothing next to skin works a charm. I would like to understand... I have seen on uTube where they DIY passive heat I liked the pictures but no explanation and these were using exisiting windows .. I this with gap at bottom on outside so cold air comes in and gap at top on inside so warm air into house.... but got to technical for me. And I get confused, as hot air rises and I dont understand why fans are at the top in newer models not at bottom [of heaters] But I would mind understanding how it works.. Am going to check the website, TU very much. I have bats to put in kitchen reno but would like something to attach to the corrogated iron so there is no gap between iron and bats. Appreciate your help and will check again on your site to see if I missed anything :)

Well done, it looks so much more like a room that is lived in, love your coloured cushions, they give a lift to the room. The single hanging behind the lounge needs to be replaced with something larger and lower, remember when hanging things just look straight ahead as a measurement and that should give you a better position so long as you're not 10ft tall I would change the light over the table to some lighter and perhaps larger and remove the two pictures, as you can see the light does and will always stop the view of these. It's better not to hang things on every wall. You also need to add a reading light for the arm chair, simple 70"s style floor or table lamp (on side board next to armchair) Good news!! Spotlight is having a 30% off most things sale, you could check out the blinds, white wide slat timber venetians for the two windows side by side and possibly for your sun room. Possibly add a tall potted plant or preferably a Bunnings French style very small round metal table and 2 chairs, $30? lovely for breakfast and a great view out to the garden and beautiful stone wall. Very happy for you not having to give away your wonderful furniture, the rug and it's stripes helps to widen the space, as you say a couple of small table/ foot stools would complete the room cheers

Hi Chris, why not keep it simple and the cost of extending down for when you are ready, you could just add a big room across the rear of the house, with or without any Verandah and even keep the two bedrooms as is and make access to the other Bed ? from the new rumpus room this would then make a great guest/study , This is all part of Stage 2