Thanks OKLOUISE, I think we will go down the suggested route. IKEA was not much cheaper for the desk once installed anyway. The IKEA handlefree wardrobes will come in much cheaper than the alternative but look pretty good for what we want and will leave a space of about 5 cm at either end of the room after allowing for the skirting boards, which is just enough to clean occasionally. I just need to check that IKEA's shade of white is not too dissimilar to the deck colour I want and then I should be good to go. I am hoping the floor is not too uneven as that could cause them to have gaps between? (Any ideas if that is a problem?) My only other worry is that IKEA white laminates used to turn yellow quickly, but I am hoping they have improved on that front in recent years. Thanks again, your advice is always good!

I'm still concerned that the covered alfresco area is located to the NE, it will block much of your winter sunshine from entering your living areas, making your home colder in winter. Personally, I'd try to locate your alfresco o the eastern side of your living areas (& somehow moving the master further SE). However, if you are going to stick with your current alfresco location, I'd recommend you change from a hipped roof alfresco, to a gable roof alfresco. If you make it an opened gable, & have a cathedral ceiling you'll end up with quite a bit more winter sunshine entering your house. Similar to the images below.

Thanks guys, @Andy, I will be more than happy to keep everyone in the loop. Especially after everyone has contributed so generously. However, the reality is that we are in the very early stages of planning. Also, considering we are wanting to basically gut the house and renovate from top to bottom raising the funds will likely take time. Though I'm sure we will continue to return to this page and seek additional advise/suggestions moving forward. Oklouise, thanks for the floor plan. This will be very useful when showing a professional our/your ideas. A loft? That sounds expensive! Regarding changing from my beloved Hampton's style, we were thinking of keeping some elements from the original home. I.e the raked ceilings but white washing them. do you have an example of a modern mid century home? Siriuskey, ok you are making life way to hard for us now. You keep coming up with some fantastic ideas for the kitchen and my wife loves all of them! I agree with you about keeping those two front rooms. I think they are quite unique in the house BUT we really like Oklouise's floor plan which carves up that room into a WIP/study. Currently we are torn as we want to retain the room but love her floorpan. Life is just to hard! I do indeed like my barn doors! I think they are very cool indeed (not sure how quickly they will date), we were wanting to use one as the entrance to the WIP. I have attached another picture of an example kitchen style that I like.

Owwww nice you two. Need a solar tube in bathroom, but my preferred layout...as you can get away with cheaper cabinets if you aren't walking through a wardrobe . If you are walking through..needs to be a bit posh/ lux looking. With lovely cabinetry