If you are after plans of architecturally designed homes, magazines may be your best bet (try libraries as you are unlikely to get most at the newsagent), however there are also a number of open homes and architecturally designed homes that are open to the public, including the Rose Seidler House. Also, if you are trying to get away from the kit-home look, take note of how the architects and designers use everyday material creatively in unexpected ways to achieve a highly polished look. As for your floor plans, further work is needed to the downstairs plan. I would seriously question whether you need two bathrooms downstairs. The bathroom for the guest room could be used by everyone (maybe consider setting it up as a three-way bathroom). You can remove the doors between the pantry and the butler's pantry, it is already hidden and just uses up space. As MB Design & Drafting has said, there is a lot of empty space on the downstairs plan and there is going to be an empty void around the meals area. Also of note, try to have continuity in your windows - that is, try to minimise the number of different sized windows and ensure they are standard sizes where possible (its cheaper and more cost effective to make 10 of one thing rather than 10 custom sizes); and try to ensure that the header and sills have a relationship. You have engaged an architect as you feel they are able to successfully design you ideal home. I would suggest giving the architect the ability to experiment and push your brief, otherwise you are doing yourself and them a disservice and you should have gone to a draftsperson how would have simply just drawn up your ideas as you stated them. You are on the right track, so don't give up! Often a design needs lots of discussion between the client and the architect before a great design can be achieved. Whilst it is wonderful that public forums such as this exist, ultimately the discussion needs to occur between yourselves and the architect as you are the ones who will be living there. Take time to listen to their ideas, and don't be afraid to question something you don't understand.

Thanks so much for your suggestions. I have included a basic sketch. I have a survey plan but not sure how to upload a document rather than picture file. The block is 888sqm. Here is our wish list: Wish List for property; Entrance to Property To create a modern, private façade. Possibly to extend the front of the property out to the eaves. To create a driveway in front. Change the look to more modern face and hide the shed. Resurface driveway and entry to property. Create private entry that can be locked when the property is vacant. Have tropical garden with up / Feature lighting. Create a better entry to property. Currently the entry is one the backyard side of the property. Possibly lift roof to create higher ceiling. Add skylights or Louvers. Paint or clad external for a more modern finish. Internal. Paint all internal walls neural tones Resurface kitchen as per more modern finishes. Possibly Open up kitchen window if practical to have outdoor bench and stool seating looking into kitchen. Resurface floor. Maybe new vinyl floorboards or concrete. Add skylight/s. Or alter roof. Possibly build out area under eaves to add more room to the front lounge dining, and create a better entry. Windows are currently mission brown aluminium. We would prefer black, but may have to work with these due to budget. Open up some of the sliding doors and windows to create more space or internal/external living access. Change all light fittings. Paint and new handles to wardrobes and cupboards. Hide / move large hot water service in laundry Possibly fit out laundry and make a small indent to laundry from hallway to include a mini study desk in hallway Utilise (Build out) the eaves to make more space to bedrooms if possible. Remodel bathroom, tiles and joinery to more modern finishes. Possible skylight for hallway. External Outdoor Kitchen Pool Landscape tropical garden. Kids zone, Basketball hoop at back rear of property. Relaxation reading spaces Tropical garden in property entrance. Garden / entry lighting Hide the Shed with planting, painting or clad part of it. Possibly incorporate outdoor kitchen alongside of it. I hope this is not too much information. many Thanks

You are most welcome, I have always said that I haven't been put on this earth to "Hug" toilets, so I'am wondering who is going to clean all of these Bathrooms. Our two kids a boy and a girl had the upstairs "apartment" which they and all their friends loved. I have added a timber stair case for fun, there's plenty of space but you will need to decide what you want to do in the attic and place the stairs to open up into a tall space. I have also turned one of the ensuites into a powder room. Your Jacaranda's only drop once a year!, you used to be able to trim them by 25% each year, you would need to check with your council, we were on the lower North Shore, I think you should consider the patio side of the house and make better use of that, is the front deck something you plan on adding because of aspect, and plant some tall growing hedge ready for the apartments. Our kids Attic desk/study space over looked our pool in the rear garden. With respect to using the formal rooms for bedrooms, you will find that once you have your large family/alfresco and the kids have their upstairs space if you still feel you need it, it would make a great office. You spend most of the time there only using only using the front room in the evening for watching movies etc. I have had another play with my floor plan, I think if your wife sees this you may be in trouble, it's a Master Suite, the free standing bath in the window alcove with white timber shutters for sun and privacy control..... Iam' adding a couple of photos of our old Federation which wasn't protected, when we sold it the new owners removed all of the Fret work & posts replacing them with simple timber posts. The front rooms which we didn't use very much once we opened up the rear rooms into a family area. The room with the Bay window had a Baby grand sitting there, we sold the piano before we took the photo. Cheers

I like what you have done i this bathroom, there is only one thing that could have been done better and that’s the position of the mixer tap for the shower. You should have access to it without getting wet , so it should have been positioned on the back wall closer to the towel hook. So you can turn it on and wait for correct water temperature before you get in.