The bath tub looks uncomfortable! One would need to be short in stature to have a relaxing soak in a tub shaped like that. Looks nice, but looks don't do it for me. Pity...the bathroom ambience is spectacular! Don't think the designers of these half- egg-shaped tubs and others like them gave much thought to practicality. I'm always glad of my big old plunge tub from years ago, looks lovely newly resurfaced....plenty of room to stretch out, nice wide edges to sit on if needs be, 1/2inch thick enamelled cast iron that keeps the water warm, wide ledge at the rear for easy-to-reach pamper products.... Think I'd rather have a larger version of the lovely vanity basin you've had installed as a bathtub rather than your half egg shaped one. Nevertheless, hope your new bathroom with a view brings you many relaxing hours.

I notice you have an aluminium screen door. Are the window frames aluminium as well? If so, you can re-paint them using a bonding substance called ESP. This is a link to Bunnings spray version but it also comes in a liquid you can wipe on and off: https://www.bunnings.com.au/flood-300g-esp-surface-prep-spray_p1560212 It's pretty easy once you get used to removing the screen and re-installing it (makes overpainting go away). It means that the paint won't chip off if someone knocks it which usually happens with aluminium and some other surfaces. Answering your questions, if you make the entrance lighter you may not need to make the walls either side lighter. I like dark - it is very dramatic and not as common. If you start with the entrance you can stand back and look at how it goes with the other walls. Also remember they don't all have to be the same. Variation in colour and texture adds interest, just make sure it doesn't look too busy and all the surfaces blend (not necessarily match). Your back wall is plain and straight, so regardless of the colour you end up choosing it will need to be augmented with something. You could try a large mirror on the blank space between windows. Something with a chunky frame in a contrasting colour and you will have a reflection of the greenery opposite. You could also try a reclaimed timber feature or something rusty or possibly a small timber pergola over the back door (similar colour to the window frames) that will give some depth. It's only paint, so try using patches with sample pots before you put too much effort into painting all the walls. Good luck.

Hi Sarah, hope you enjoyed your travels last night, that's something we have spent our lives doing plus living in different countries. Do look into the attic room/s they are lovely and the Velux skylights very unobtrusive, look great and if positioned correctly take care of venting any hot air, as I mentioned ours were pivoting ones and could be locked open in several positions. I much prefer these to dormer windows, you don't really notice them. The stairs were built off site and lifted into position and installed, built in. At the time we did ours a very good friend a builder did the same but just completely opened the whole ceiling space right out towards the gutters into a large bedroom play study area for his daughters, also using Velux windows. Glass ceilings, like Velux windows have been around for years, believe me I know, we're both getting older. Velux windows can be used as glass ceilings in opening and non opening configurations. I would love to see you keep the outdoor loo as well and updating the old shed into a new connecting space to the house, perhaps a glass breezeway. I will have another look at your plan again over the weekend. I love your front iron gate as well, auto sliding driveway gates work really well and would really fit with your carport. My brother in law put in a tall timber sliding gate at his last home, lovely cheers

Oh boy oklouise, this is dangerous territory when you ask about the perfect reno! We thought we did have the perfect Reno we could afford in stages but we got just about ready to lodge with council and our architect surprised us with the costings going over by $200K and giving us a lovely flat roof and new cladding for our first stage budget. We now have about $10K less after this process and are really feeling vulnerable I suppose. So we are back to square one but the essentials are: repair the deck on the steep slope at the back, remove internal walls to open the space downstairs, reposition the staircase, new flooring, new kitchen and provide an aesthetically pleasing but functional entrance. Wish list would be garage/carport & driveway, flat roof, new bathroom upstairs, new laundry & WC downstairs and landscaping. $100K for the first stage (which probably means just deck repairs and removing walls?!) then we would be looking at refinancing and seeing what we can do next. The architect designs were beautiful but unattainable unfortunately. Anyway, I advertised our job about a week ago and I think someone is interested in meeting with us and I've also left a message for Dr Retro so I don't want you all to spend too much time on this although I really really appreciate and welcome your advice. Thank you again oklouise, Lisa