Hi - although my kitchen is smaller at 3.5m x 3.7m, I have almost the identical layout to yours, including the position of internal door. I have been trying to re-jig my kitchen for years! I have found the squareness of the shape very hard to work with. I wish you good luck and I hope you have more success (and imagination!) than me.

I'm sure most people would envy you the pool and potential this area has. Not sure what your requirements are when it comes to "use" of the land. Have you thought of a cabana at the end of the big pool in front of the shed? It would hide the shed and at the same time give you a focal point that draws the eye to the beautiful length of the pool... and at the same time provide a visual full stop with the cabana. (If money is an issue....I recently purchased a beautiful outdoor gazebo and placed it on our outdoor wooden deck which was always too hot to sit on and the whole family now sits out there under the gazebo for most of our meals-I like to make flat land-useable land) The surrounding gardens (I agree with fianou) that large leafed, tropical plants would help soften the overall look (if that's what you want/like) . Other people like the harder lines and a starker more modern look. If that's the case then put in more structural plants. Just depends on your own personal taste. Not sure that the existing palm trees are a help or a hindrance as many drop seeds into the pool and from a visual point of view can look like telegraph poles if not under-planted with other medium sized shrubs that balance the overall design. If there are surrounding areas that you want to use as pathways...Astro Turf is a great alternative to traditional hard surface choices.Good luck with your plans!

I'd be inclined to move couch & armchair along wall with large recess if they will both fit. Mount TV onto flat wall opposite. You could have a low unit to house electronics, or use the one you have. Have purpose-built storage cabinet w/shelving built into smaller recess. Some of the shelving portion could be backed w/mirror to help throw light into room. Use the shelves for books, objects of art, photos etc., and the drawers or cabinet below to store things you don't want on show all the time. I also think a large area rug will ground the family room area from dining/kitchen. A neutral one perhaps or you can inject some colour. Large art pieces on wall as mentioned. A largish plant in a raised pot would add some greenery. You may find you need a floor lamp near couch & chair. Regarding the kitchen, I think you might be able to fit a narrow timber sideboard at end of island bench so you have some additional storage there. I say timber because it would warm up the coolness of kitchen. I agree undercabinet lights good idea for additional task lighting. You could either go mirror backsplash or some gorgeous tiles. As there are a several changes you want to achieve in this space, it might help to do it in stages. Storage seems to be a priority (fam rm & kitchen) and rearrangement of furniture & TV. I would tackle this first. Additional decor ie rug, art pieces on wall(s) could be addressed next. Then splashback and some additional lighting if budget allows.

The roof looks ok from the photos (no sag?) are they terracotta tiles? A pressure wash, reseal with clear and get the pointing re-done if needed- it will be brand new and cost you a fraction of what a new colourbond roof will. wuff- we've just replaced our very old iron roof with colourbond- the builder used roof blanket and batts- I seriously don't know when it is raining now (and our bed is build into a dormer and roof pitch!). I suspect the result is as quiet as tile, if not quieter. What is under the stucco? brick or fibro? I would probably just re-render in it's fibro. The cost of getting fibro (probably asbestos) off would be enormous! The cost of framing up for the weatherboards and the timber itself, equally enormous. The only advantage recladding gives you is the chance to re-insulate the walls. The rest is aeshetic, which could easily be achieved with fresh render in either of the colours you posted. Check out some of the new arcylic render texture-coats, they are almost maintenance free as the colour is in the render, this product is marketed as no repainting. You talk about the character of your area- your home contributes to that. Very few streets anywhere would have a uniform character. I love your cottage and can see so much scope to enhance it's character as it is.