siriuskey, Yes, the courtyard is open to the sky (no roof over it), I assume this is what you mean by double story. Ref. below photos, I would love to get this look, especially the first and last photo, where you can see family living space from the first floor. I can't achieve this in my plan as it eats a lot of floor space upstairs. The referred plan (photos) has a very big void combining staircase, hallway and dining area. I know it is not easy with cooling and heating when you have such a big void. So, I explored a few ideas (with my limited knowledge on this topic) before achieving the current floorplan. I have also thought about, in my current plan, extending the void on the staircase to the dining area (it is more like L shape) but i wasn't sure if that makes any difference. keen to hear your thoughts.

Hi Sue, I thought I should toss some other options at you. Consider the Master in the old kitchen using this plumbing for the ensuite. This room opening up to both North and West views it would be best if the whole fireplace along with chimney is removed which would mean a vertical support beam would be needed to support the ceiling (engineers decision) The small extension for the shower room to have a glass slopping roof, you would also need to add a pergola on the western side of the Master (Vergola pergola) The new kitchen moved into the old office and ensuite once again using this plumbing for the kitchen, opening up walls between these rooms should be easier than others in the house. Large sliders off both the kitchen and "The Great Room" to take advantage of the western views out across the pool Depending on structural load bearing wall I would like to open up the wall between the kitchen and "The Great Room" for an amazing space with abundant light. I have shown that wall with 2 x 1m openings (there's already one doorway to make use of or open that wall to whatever the engineer approves. The Kitchen is now within easy access to the pool and BBQ, plus bathroom facilities. The room next to the new kitchen to become Mudroom/office/WIP. I notice that there's a driveway that ends up behind this room, is this where you mostly access the house from?

Yes, I can't help but feel that I will regret moving the entry @afjp! My husband is keen, but I know that I'll hate it, walking halfway down the house just to enter. Thank you for your suggestions. @oklouise, you really have gone above and beyond - giving us a lot of food for thought! Thank you for taking the time to fiddle with our floor plan. Lots of options there. We can't go toward the front boundary anymore, unfortunately, but I like your thinking! @siriuskey, thank you too for taking the time to share your ideas - It is much appreciated. We did toy with the idea of using our existing living and dining like what you have, but I think I am leaning toward the open kitchen, living and dining at the back. You've used up every inch of space, it's great! Some more ideas for us to think about. Thanks! Just a question for those in the know-how much would it cost to move plumbing etc? And what would your ballpark $ figure/budget to do this extension be? (how long is a piece of string, I know...)

as others have already said there are too many unknowns to be specific about costs but renovating is often more expensive than building new as you have to first pay to remove and then pay to restore and often need custom sized new work that's much more labour intensive and expensive BUT if the house is in a perfect location at a good price and you can modify without extraordinary changes my suggestions without removing any major walls include a new kitchen and only widening the doorway between kitchen and dining and improving the ens (with or without including the extra space at the side) but the small nib wall near the original dining room door implies that there has already been part of a wall removed and why didn't they remove the rest when this small projection restricts comfortable movement ...my plan has minimal demolition and extra walls and doors to separate rooms and zone, heat, noise and family activities BUT depending on your local climate the orientation is not ideal as the site plan suggests that the house is almost on the north boundary and this restricts sunlight and views in and out of the north facing windows (what's next door now or in the future if/when neighbours renovate?) space shown as meals is only big enough for an entry area and the old study faces south and west and could make it hot and/or cold and dark at the back of the house and restricts ideal connection to the garden.. and as usual the real estate plans are confusing and upstairs doesn't seem to match downstairs, the stairs probably infringe on the space in the retreat so i can't make realistic suggestions but there's is probably enough space to improve the bathroom and maybe steal space off the wiw for a separate toilet and maybe take better advantage of the northern aspect but all depends on accurate available space, aspect and budget and every house can be improved