Great job- really fantastic. A tip for anyone in the process of renovating a bathroom: I used Blake and Taylor chalk paint with a couple of sealer coats to paint a laminex vanity in our bathroom- and it looks great. Easy to apply and looks like a million dollars now. include new knobs from the great range at Paddington Hardware, and you can spend the money you've saved on good tapware.

OP, as soon as I saw the floorplan & block, I thought what a great home layout, incorporating many "passive solar design" elements. What are these? A rectangular building envelope, with longer faces looking north & south, perfect! Designing with living areas (& a large proportion of glazing) facing north, perfect! Minimizing (or even eliminating) western windows, perfect! These elements will mean you'll have a nice bright home, & will help insure that you have a comfortable energy efficient home, that is warm in winter & cool in summer. Read more about passive solar design on this government website, http://yourhome.gov.au/passive-design I wouldn't advise adding a verandah to the northern side of the house (unless you're in a very warm climate that requires no heating in winter), as the verandah will rob your house of sunshine in winter, making it cold. Adequate northern eaves are a much better idea, admitting winter sunshine (when the sun is lower in the sky), while shading summer sunshine (when the sun is higher in the sky). A pergola to the north (with deciduous vines) is OK, as it doesn't lock winter sunshine too much. If you are going to open up towards the backyard, to the west, this would be the perfect place for a verandah (or pergola). This is because western windows are not shaded very well by eaves. A larger verandah does a better job at keeping the hot afternoon summer sun out of the house. One other thing I might advise. It might be a good idea to add a couple of small south facing windows to your living area. Nothing too large, just something to promote cross ventilation. This will ensure you will get cooling breezes through your home in summertime.

Hi AndrewJason, I love cavity sliders. they are there when you want them but not visible when you need the space open. Having said that they cost more, take a bit of wreckage to set up and in you WA case you will be wrecking brick walls to put them in which might be a stretch of mess too far. BUT you will need to weigh up if they are worth it in the end. I do not think the build will be too bulky in the kitchen/dining because it will be superbly practical on both sides and it maybe just a matter of what you are used to. Not sure about "Average Joe...…" we are all good at somethings, mine is plans, function, practicality, solar. Yours might be brain surgery, empathy for unwell folks, kinda or you make the best seafood lasagne in the world... we are all needed to make for a great world: and it really is that!!! Good luck with your splendid home: I think it is beautiful. And PS if you do make the best seafood anything I better have your address....!!!!!!! MK

“Can I see your bathroom?” Such question is rarely asked whether you receive visitors in your home or become a visitor yourself. While this area is one of the most important areas of a home, very few, or no one, will voluntarily ask to check what the bathroom looks like. Often, people would be more interested in your living area, kitchen, or bedroom. Now, the question is: if no one cares, why do you even need to beautify your bathroom? There are several reasons why you should still make your bathroom look pleasant. But the most important one would be because your bathroom is where you start and end your day. When you wake up in the morning to prepare (let us say, for work), one of the first things you would probably do is go to the bathroom. This is where you take a bath, put on your makeup, style your hair, etc. The same goes when you go home: your bathroom is where you will change your clothes, wash your face or body, brush your teeth, and so forth. Now that you already know how vital bathrooms can be, you may wonder how you will beautify this area in your home. There are ways to make your bathroom more appealing and comfortable. You can apply a fresh coat of paint that will fit your vibe. You may also add plants or lights to make it more suitable for a vanity space. But do you know what will truly help you upgrade your bathroom? Cabinets. The Importance of Cabinets in the Bathroom Before searching the internet for bathroom cabinet ideas, you must first understand the benefits of cabinets in your toilet and washroom area. You have to know that while your main goal is to enhance the look of your bathroom, you do not have to sacrifice its functionality, which can be achieved by simply installing cabinets. Here are some reasons why cabinets are important in the bathroom: ● Space saver If there is one thing cabinets are guaranteed to do, it is to save space. This is extremely helpful for bathrooms with limited spaces. By installing cabinets in your bathroom, you can devote a storage space for things like towels, hair dryers, spare toilet paper rolls, and other toiletries. ● Low cost One of the reasons why some homeowners are having second thoughts about installing cabinets is the cost, which is understandable. There is no denying that some cabinets are quite expensive. However, if you search the market properly, you will find that there are different cabinet types, each of which comes at different prices. Cabinet prices may also depend on its material, size, and function. But you do not have to worry about not getting a suitable cabinet. As mentioned, cabinets are versatile storage spaces, and you will surely find something that will meet your needs and fit the vibe of your bathroom. ● Practicality Again, the reason why you are getting a cabinet is to save space. But from a practical standpoint, cabinets make much more sense than leaving your things cluttered in the bathroom. In addition, storing your bathroom essentials and toiletries makes them more organized and accessible. This means you do not have to waste time digging around for the things you need. ● Additional accent to the bathroom Apart from its storage features, cabinets can also add personality to your bathroom. Since cabinets usually come in various designs, colours, materials, and styles, they can be a great addition to the overall look of your bathroom. Some cabinets even come with built-in LED mirrors, allowing them to become multifunctional. Things to Consider Before Installing Bathroom Cabinets Apart from knowing how important cabinets can be in your bathroom, you also have to know the things to consider before installing bathroom cabinets. As mentioned, these cabinets often come in various specifications. Here are some important considerations before installing bathroom cabinets: ● Type When shopping for cabinets, you may think they all look alike. But like what we have mentioned, there are different types of cabinets. There is the mirrored one, which comes with a mirror door along with the storage. This type of cabinet is usually mounted above the sink to assist you with your daily routines, such as brushing your teeth, shaving, and grooming. Another mirror type is the medicine cabinet. As the name suggests, this cabinet is used to store medicine. But you can also utilise it for your extra toiletries stock like soaps, shampoo, or lotions. Compared to the mirrored ones, medicine cabinets can have a larger storage space. Corner cabinets are small compact units mounted on the corner of two adjoining walls. Since they are smaller than the two cabinet types, they are more suitable for smaller bathrooms. ● Size Size is another crucial factor to consider when choosing what cabinet to install in your bathroom. Remember that the goal of the cabinets in your bathroom is to maximise space, and selecting the wrong measurement may defeat this purpose. ● Position Positioning your cabinet will help you utilise the available space better, giving your bathroom a more organised look. ● Material If you want to achieve an aesthetically pleasing bathroom, giving importance to the material of the cabinet is necessary. You can opt for a wood cabinet for a classy and traditional vibe. You may also choose plastic or stainless steel. While these two are relatively cheaper than wood, they also come in different designs that might suit your bathroom’s overall appearance. ● Customisation Ready-made cabinets are available in the market. However, if you want your cabinets to fit the feel of your bathroom, consider customising them. This way, you can experiment with different materials, colours, designs, and sizes. But before you go for this, make sure you have a skilled carpenter or contractor to help you out. Never Forget Quality with Hera Bathware Choosing the perfect bathroom cabinet can be overwhelming and challenging, given that many cabinet shops are around. This is why you should always research and look for the best possible options before purchasing one. Hera Bathware is a bathroom and kitchen retailer based in Melbourne. We specialise in all your bathroom and kitchen needs. Here at Hera, we know how important a bathroom can be and how dramatically it can affect the value of your house. Hence, we are committed to providing our customers with quality products and services. For more information, you can visit our website at https://herabathware.com.au/. You can read more about Hera Bathware through the following articles: ● Bathroom Furniture to Try this 2023 ● 10 Accessories Every Bathroom Must Have ● Bathroom Timber Cabinets: A Warmth Choice to the Bathroom