Nice work oklouise. I was thinking the existing porch could be a walk in robe with the current front door being the entrance to the robe. Then reduce the double doors from existing entry to lounge to single and put a new doorway to the study inline with the master/study wall. that way you aren't removing external walls. Entry would then be through a new doorway where the lounge window facing the current porch. If the window is big enough then it might even be possible to use the existing lintil above the window and just remove the window and the bricks below which will save $$. I know you lose hallway but lots of houses (including mine) don't have hall ways per say but use floor coverings or furniture to create walkways around the lounge. I guess it all depends on how much $$ you want to spend in th end.

I found it here...but God knows how much it's worth... http://www.notey.com/@contemporist_unofficial/external/788254/volver-by-studio-14-for-terzani-raquo-contemporist.html

Before replacing your curtains as this can be quite expensive for such a large window, if they are in good condition, add a band of extra fabric to the bottom in what ever suits you, your existing curtain track can then be moved up to the ceiling for good looking full length curtains without the large round eyelets, could save you a lot of money, I would look at replacing/removing the sheers cheers

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 .