I love your idea of extending, but understand your concerns re over-capitalisation. I think your budget will need to reflect how long you plan to stay in the house, and whether you consider the enhancements to your lifestyle as valuable an investment as the actual financial cost vs possible capital gain. Have you thought of getting in a real estate agent to discuss what effect any potential extensions or changes will have on the value of the property? I agree with MB above that the laundry is under-utilised space, and using the entry space would also be a very cost-effective solution. A way to really modernise the home with less expense than a large extension and new ensuite bathroom would be to close off the door between the existing bathroom and toilet and add a toilet to what would now be the master ensuite. The laundry and current toilet could become the family bathroom, and the kitchen could be extended very slightly by pushing out the exterior wall to create a scullery with back door, which could be closed off from the kitchen with a cavity slider. If you pushed out the laundry/bathroom wall to match, you could add a bath, too. Best of luck.

I like all the garden ideas ( it does look a bit sparse and 'rental property' look about it IMO ) , with a low fence along the front , a wooden screen a couple of metres in front of the door , etc , BUT when I looked at the very first photo -- the wider angle one -- the one thing you notice first is the yellow marker post on the left hand side of the driveway fence . So take that as a cue , and paint the garage door a bright colour to stand out -- primary or metallic or trendy , just one that you like , and personally I'd probably change the curtains ( or even dye them ) to the same colour as the garage door . Right now , everything is various derivatives of off-white and red brown earth brick -- needs a decent spot of colour to lift the houses look IMO . Another option would be 'natural' timber blinds , especially if you had them the same shade of stain as the screen and the front fence , but I'd still do the garage door ( and maybe the guttering ) your current favourite colour .

Hi Fiwi When we look at basins, regardless of the overall dimensions or type of mount we look at the depth of the bowl internally and its shape. For practicality we always choose a deep bowl with a curved bottom of some sort to allow proper drainage. Its a great look to have flat square bottoms with corners and shallow angles as you have now, but the reality is as you said that they need help to be washed out. The deep and wide bowl is better for shaving too as it keeps the rinsing within the bowl. There are plenty of great looking basins that have the above. We often use an undermount or inset basin such as these give practicality without bulk eg as below But there are also plenty of good surface mounted also. Cheers

Yes bigreader, Celina have a look at Orient House, they bring in loads of beautiful screens and it is a fabulous place to visit for ideas. The idea below is as it says, contact frosting; but I would work out a design and get a professional in to execute. Of course, if you want something more unique and a treasure forever, ask at axolotl.com.au They only work in metal, glass and concrete - but you would never have seen anything like their design ideas. More costly than Indonesian artifacts, but!!! dream on.