I like printed glass, yes I do, but most of what we are show is pretty naf, sorry to sound like a slone ranger, I investigated the product, I had a few different areas I could have used it in this current build, with good design choice (possible) and reasonable price not possible the quotes where all a joke. I have defaulted to either depending on ,thought ,placement, nothing ,or tile, Its a bit like my wood stove hearth,I wanted glass to show the Tasoak floor beneath, I was various laughed and accused of bringing European habits (sounded dirty) I solved the issue but if you live in the pimple on the bottom of the world, design is not an option, costs get too high, availability is a joke, I feel like offering up my rather posh shed (and accent) to companies who want to try the Tassie Market (for a modest fee of course) we are five mins to the airport and I have a background in Finance and design (weird) combo, but I studied art the market was to tight so I turned to banking for my crust.

You're welcome! Roof/city scapes are like landscapes, but the views are of roofs not plants. Google roofscapes images and you'll get the idea : ) And if you're not bothered by the roof next door then I'm not bothered by the roof next door! I'm sad to say though that your metal outside stairs idea will likely not get approval from your local Council. I say that approval is unlikely because that roof next door seems very close, so I imagine the setback of your house (and theirs) is likely as close as Council will let you get. In other words, no building of any structure such as stairs would be allowed in the space that's there now. But never say never...give their planning department a call or submit an enquiry online and just run the plan past them. Maybe instead of stairs you actually mean a Juliet balcony? (google it!) Even that plus the type of window it's attached to is subject to Council approval so again, you would need to contact them. Plants on a Juliet balcony would indeed be very charming but I'm not sure how realistic this option is. So all that being said, I'm still going for my roofscape/cityscape option to better incorporate next door's roof. Roofscapes can include trees too you know!

As I said before keeping clutter under control is the key, get lots of storage ,you said cost is I s an issue. Look at IKEA they have solutions for wall units that you can get in different colours and that in itself will brighten the place. You would benefit from a buffet next to the kitchen /dining area or a large wall unit with lots of shelfs and drawers, coffee table with storage drawers , storage unit with baskets for kids toys and school stuff, once you have this under control start adding rugs if think you still need it. By the look of it you have small kids get them to put things in appropriate place and get some funky coat hangers in the entrance so they can hang hats and bags etc.

I'm in New Zealand ( as a lot of you know ) and our rules are different , and will maybe act as a warning . Councils seem to be left-leaning , and therefore see anyone with property as a continual source of money . They make the rules with that in mind . Of course , what they don't seem to be able to comprehend is thaat every action has an equal and opposite reaction . Anyone subdividing an existing section or doing a subdivision has to pay a 'development contribution' . In most cities this is $50,000-100,000 . Per section/title . so they think they are hitting the greedy landowner , but of course , it is the person buying the smaller property that effectively pays this -- I don't think most councils can appreciate that . As a slight side issue , one large company has bought several hundred rural acres , and are trying to build their own town -- factories for themselves and support businesses , as well as shops and groceries and takeaways and gas stations and the lot . 1000's of houses to buy or rent or rent to own . And they want to pay for their own streets , and sewerage scheme , and power , and water , and parks , and upkeep . The council involved , predictably , has spent $10's of millions of ratepayers money fighting them every step of the way , changing the rules , all the usual tricks . So a tiny home here isn't classed as a caravan , it needs to have permanent water and sewerage and power , so , yes you guessed , needs to have someone pay a development contribution . It needs to comply with all the building regulations , so you can't have it for only 'summertime' use or similar . In Aus , you have a lot of areas that are effectively off-grid , because power and sewerage would be way too impractical , but here you cannot opt-out . And even caravans cannot be 'lived in' permanently , with the exception of some caravan parks , and I think even then technically the caravan has to be moved once every 3 months or similar . Park a caravan at your house , have the grandkids stay for 2 weeks , you probably get away with it . But have them and their Mum live there -- you then need to permanently connect it to your services , and , you guessed it , pay a development fee ! Same with mobile homes and the like . My mobile home I have had it deregistered , and re-registered it as a mobile office , in my businesses name . This is because Mobile Homes are not allowed to park overnight and be slept in , on the streets or carparks in most towns . Of course , if I got a ticket and disputed it , the relevant council may show local CCTV footage , or ask for an accomodation receipt from a nearby business , but at least it will tie them up in court for at least a couple of hours or more -- they probably have lawyers on the payroll , but if they are paying $300 an hour , plus 3 or 4 council employees time , plus the Judge and court people -- its cost them way more than the $200-500 fine . So long story short -- tiny homes are a legal nightmare in NZ , as is almost anything that doesn't look like a conventional house .