Hi arcmaz Great house - fantastic 60's modern look - Harry Sidler (Modernist Architect 1923-2006 exponent of the Bauhaus style in Australia, mainly Sydney) would have loved the interpretation, its a good style, don't change it will pay dividends in the long run. It would be good if there was a plan of the house,and a plan of the block this would allow some relatively accurate planning proposals. If you had the real-state plan with the block plan it would help a lot. In terms of making the place bigger and retaining the style I would suggest that the extension (maybe one room and an en suite depending on a budget) be a block in the today's current style, but linked to the existing house via a "link" (Link =small walkway). This would allow you to retain the style, but not be dominated by a past period, I have done this a few times and it has worked fairly well. If you are looking for three bedrooms it might be best to add a master bedroom with a bathroom, and then maybe living areas with back yard access. There may be other approaches depending on the current layout that could be considered, but I would retain as much as the original as possible, and only make small cosmetic changes until you are ready for a worthy development. I hope this is of some help, I would be happy to comment further or work on this project. Regards - Michael Manias Manias Associates Building designers - mm407p@gmail.com

Hi maryprior892 Thanks for posting the extra information it all helps in gaining some understanding, I think it is possible to improve this existing house in a cost effective manner. Just a minor item that I picked up in regards of equipment - I think you mentioned that the existing STORAGE is actually a covered internal courtyard - I also notice that you have a hot water unit in this space - you should check that the hot-water service (if it is a gas unit) that it has sufficient ventilation and is not an external units that has been closed in - any plumber will give you this information - enclosing gas units that are designed for external use is not a good idea. I think that if you are going to make changes it not only should suit you, but also have a good resale opportunity - considering your upstairs areas it might be better to add a decent En-suite and walk in robes and getting two or three bedrooms downstairs - in this way you would have parents areas separated from children - this might have better resale and use that a tiny ES. The third bedroom downstairs could be gained by enclosing the RUMPUS room and providing access to bathroom areas by a corridor to existing bathrooms. This would also aid in getting containment areas for heating - at the moment the plan shows one open space including the upstairs - lots of heating in winter in Tasmania for all that area - some compartmentalization would probably help in combating yearly heating costs. The existing living area are certainly ample, so the loss of the rumpus to a bedroom does not detract greatly to the overall house, and in the meantime you could use the new downstairs bedroom/rumpus room as you have already mentioned as a library. I think this is achievable, but before doing a physical change, I would have a fully developed plan which includes all existing and proposed furniture to scale, with a few 3D views to enhance the concept. (It easier to change drawings than walls - a lot less dust and much cheaper) I would then obtain the opinion of a Real-estate agent (the Real-estate agent you bought it from is not a bad place to start) and maybe two others. This might help in making long term decisions in regards to investment for the future. Staging your proposed renovations is also another approach that you might investigate. Above all I would retain and obtain as many ocean views that you can possibly get, I assume that the ocean views are at the front of the house (" revealed an open fireplace in the front lounge which also has ocean views so that is fabulous.") If possible you might consider developing an external eating/sitting/entertaining area with ocean views - I certainly would be a buyer, and I would assume that it might be supported by the real-estate agent. I hope this is of some help, I would be happy to comment further on this design as more information becomes available. Michael Manias Manias Associates Building Associates mm407p@gmail.com

just had a look at your existing plans for the second storey.. 1/ I'd make it all open plan .. First I'd move your bed 4 downstairs into the theatre room..reason ? bathroom is existing down there..you can turn it into a master suite..bathroom..study as retreat. which then leave you all that room ..bed 4 ..kitchen ..meals..lounge..foyer to just be one huge living area.. from that living area you can pop in a stacker door/bi folds to lead to your screen verandah. Personally I'd get rid of the screens and open it right up with banisters so you can have fresh air flowing in. You can do the same with the front as well to make it one huge area without much changes.

Such great ideas here, and love your plans Rhiannon. I personally would keep it light and bright as the dark coloured rug etc will make the room feel smaller and darker. I don't know what style you like, but here's some ideas of light/bright options that would work will with the room as they're not too heavy looking, so will keep it looking open and bright. And I like the idea of going with neutrals for your basics and then adding cushions / statement desk lamp / patterned cushions in your style whether it's more bright colours / boho / retro /pastels /beachy / tribal / even whatever you love from skating to music! Maybe tell us what you like / are into so we can give some more creative ideas?! Also think about wherever you move and indeed move out into your own place eventually, you can take the neutral basics with you and easily completely change the look. And think about versatile pieces for this reason too. e.g. an Ikea Frosta stool ($11.99!!) makes a great bedside table, can be extra seating, a side table in your future lounge room etc. You can even paint them easily to suit your style. If you're after other styles and you can't find them in the shops, of course gumtree and ebay have amazing finds to add your personality. I have these curtains from Ikea for my daughter's room. They're nice and light coloured, but completely blockout. And really easy to put up (took 5 mins). They're a really pale grey with a nice texture. http://www.ikea.com/au/en/catalog/products/10357320/  Kmart have a few well priced desks to choose from, I love this one.Or Target... Then add a simple chair, again Kmart, Ikea or gumtree have super cheap and good quality old chairs that are a great way to add your personality. (first 2 from Target, 3rd from Kmart, all under $50). Though if you're going to be studying at your desk a lot, maybe get a proper desk chair for comfort. The ones below are good statement pieces and versatile so you can take them wherever you live and double as an extra chair when you have a friend. and an ottoman could be handy for storage / as a bedside / or extra seating if you have a friend over. This one's from Kmart too. Then if you have space, how about a plant, Ikea have inexpensive indoor plants, Zanzibar Gems, Fiddle Leaf figs and orchids, depending on your taste. and these great little pots of succulents that would fit nicely on your desk. All easy to look after. http://www.ikea.com/au/en/catalog/categories/departments/outdoor/10779/ Then bedlinen, I've always found Target quilt covers are really great quality for the price (the Kmart one I bought needs ironing as it's really cheap cotton, even though it looked great before washing!, whereas my Target ones come up beautifully and have lasted for a few years already). But if you can't find what you like from target, Ikea have a huge range of patterns for completely different looks that can add a lot of personality to your room. And then Ikea have a huge range of really good quality desk lamps, depending on what look you like... http://www.ikea.com/au/en/catalog/categories/departments/lighting/20502/ Again, don't necessarily get the cheapest (Kmart is super cheap but quality can be poor), get something you can take with you wherever you live. The Ikea ones are really good quality so will last. I had the silver Forsa lamp years ago on my study desk and now my 4 year old has it in his room just as a feature lamp and it looks just as cool in it's new 'life', giving a kind of traditional-industrial look. But if you want more ideas, let us know what sort of style you like or if you're into anything in particular or even post a couple of shots of looks you like. Then it's the fun part of adding personality pieces and I'm sure the houzzers will have lots of creative ideas. Good luck and have fun making it into your own little space!