I have the same issue. Here are a few plants that I'm considering: Indian Mast, Pinnacle Syzygium, Pencil Pine, Spartan Conifer, Skyrocket Juniper, Lilly Pilly, Pittosporum and Ficus Hillii. I've probably gotten a few of the names wrong! At the moment, I haven't made a decision as I'm still trying to figure out what will work best for the climate (Brisbane, Queensland), position (some would be in direct sunlight for most of the day, but others would be shaded by houses for most of the day and I'd prefer to have the same variety throughout the yard), soil, etc. I am planning on walking around the neighbourhood to sticky beak at what other people have done in similar situations so that I have better idea of what will grow well and last.

I have an enclosed powder room downstairs. I think it is fine. It has an extraction fan. It is only used by guests for a few minutes at a time, so I'm not sure natural light and an opening window is critically important (as compared to a regular bathroom where both are very important). The only thing I wish I had done was include additional soundproofing in the walls! It's fine 99% of the time, but some people have ... different bathroom habits which can be louder than others. Ultimately, you need to be happy with the design. You're paying the architect, so you should be getting value for money.

a quick look on HOUZZ revealed many photos of similar ideas... you may like to check out "garden colonnade or climbing roses" for inspiration and i'll keep looking for something suitable..the idea is to build the structure tall enough so that the top is way above the height of the existing fence and you could also add horizontal panels of lattice as well as the climbers to obscure the neighbours' roof and your shrub roses can be planted between the colonnade and the fence The neighbour's structure looks like it's attempting to block out your house it's just not tall enough...

Hi Amir, thank you. Yes, budgets are usually an issue. There is no real issue with having the kitchen as above to minimise moving plumbing and electrical - I totally get that. I like the addition of an area that denotes an entrance foyer, as in the above sketch. I don't know the style or era of the home, but privacy screens are a great way to delineate spaces without putting up walls. For example, the back wall of the 'foyer' could be a privacy screen and also between the kitchen and lounge areas. Laminex has a great range of indoor and outdoor privacy screens. Also, could you make the kitchen island big enough so you can dine there too? Kitchen islands can be two levels, one for cook and prep and the other for dining - or the same height and use bar stools. I think this also comes down to how you like to eat, whether you entertain a lot and whether you have kids. This could mean you don't have to use space for a dining table or just have a smaller, round table for four in a corner. I hope these suggestions give you some more ideas about privacy and the best use of space :-) Cheers, Penelope