You are best to draw up the measurements on paper and look at it to see what's visually pleasing. Also look at pictures of kitchens you like and study how they scaled their hardware. There are no "rules" just good taste and balance.

No worries! Most people haven't heard of them yet! SIPS panels are basically a couple of sheets of timber board, with a core of polystyrene. They come in panels, or can be pre-cut to size to fit the job. As far as builders go, I don't personally know of any that use concrete panels for residential jobs - mainly because they're not really cost effective until you get to larger commercial sized jobs (as far as I know). Another good way to achieve the industrial look is by using polished plaster render. That gives the look of concrete at a fraction of the cost and can be done in a variety of finishes to suit your taste. It all depends if you want the whole house to have the concrete look or just as features in places that count - all comes down to your design.

what a beautiful house, could you look at using sliding glass doors/louvered panels etc on the alfresco area to close it off during winter, it is Melbourne, this would enable you to use this space all year and would enlarge your space for entertaining, might have to re think doors though. I would have a door/s off the kitchen and not windows Tiled step over to shower needs to be removed to make the floor all the same level. The high ceilings are a great advantage adding to a feeling of space. The large dark sideboard in the entrance makes that space look smaller, so you will be able to improve on that Absolutely love the flooring We have friends who had one dining table and chairs which they moved between the indoor dining and the alfresco area, depends how formal you want to be, this allowed for more indoor space when needed. Bear Gully Coastal Cottages Victoria. Remembering parties we have had in an open plan design, everyone ends up hanging out around the kitchen, if you had an open fire it would be there. Perhaps move the study upstairs As the following idea, knowing that there are load bearing issues to address

without the plan of upstairs i'm not sure that my suggested changes to front wall will be suitable but instead of reducing the rear deck, taking space off the front porch would allow extra space for the kitchen without changing the front set back and, unless there's some special reason for the extra toilet could you consider different access to the downstairs bathroom to have a more private toilet with included handbasin with or without the extra sink in the dining area?.. there's enough space for extra storage for utility and dining area with a table for two in the kitchen and extending the floor of the deck to the rear and side fences would allow more outside sitting area