Thanks a million Oklouise. I am thrilled by this - the amount of thought and time that you have so kindly put into this for me is amazing. I am eternally grateful. I agree with the changes you have made , especially the balcony over the courtyard, it certainly would make a lot more sense to have it on the front of the house, Perhaps in front of the Mfamily room.

I mentioned earlier to think about dropping the wall next to the stairs to hip or slightly higher height to allow for the TV, as this would further open up the top floor and perhaps show the street art, ie the framed print. I know that you don't want anything else hanging from the ceiling but because of the ceiling height you will need a reverse hanging fan to bring all the warm air down into the room that will sit up there if you don't. The heater is because you had one shown in your posted floor plan, this is one of the fires available on my 1997 CAD program, that's the colour it comes in but can be changed within the program cheers

I was going to suggest moving the kitchen to the left , probably a 'right angle' around that left corner . It looks like it would be relatively easy to move the plumbing across , you then have 2 walls to work with , plus the island . Logic would say the island has your cooktop , but its possible to have the sink etc there too -- would be several thousand more there , as opposed to over on the wall , but you decide . You obviously have cupboards , benches , etc , and possibly make the 'left' kitchen window a folding one . A small pantry would presumably be at the 'lounge' end of your new kitchen -- possible even have it come inwards 1.8mtrs or so , to make a short wall , and probably have the door facing back towards the kitchen . Assuming its not load bearing , you take all those internal walls out . Where the second kitchen window is , you 'cut' and install a full sliding door , giving you ready access to the outdoors area . You also 'carry' that internal kitchen wall straight through ( with a door ) across part of what was your family area . Voila ! You now have a dining area where the right half of the kitchen was , and that funny bit of the family room . And a large lounge , almost as big as the existing lounge/dining . Open plan -- tick . Access outside -- tick . Pantry -- tick . Family room more private -- tick . Family room smaller -- yes . Linen Cupboard -- no , but possibly in the family room ?

Looking at your plan again, which I do like. But looking at the fit out of your rooms: You do not have a decent sized double sink, just a small poky circular sink that won’t fit any thing in it apart from glasses, cups and small plates. Where are you going to wash your large trays and platters that don’t fit in the dish washer? And I agree with Kates comment regarding stairs and the fridge. The fridge needs to be accessible for all people easily for everyday use. Are you having a small beverage fridge in your kitchen? Oh and you also do not have a decent sink in your laundry, again only a small circular one.