Ah but cloudpants what are you making it real in comparison with? Who's to say that not painting them wouldn't look far better? Before you say anything....I made no comment either way...and yes it does look really good!

Wow, that house is WAY to big. How on earth do you clean it? Why not have outdoor entertaining on the back deck? This would incorporate flying fox to a cubby and play equipment down the back yard. In the summer perhaps a collapsible awning for during the day but at night just candles and the stars to keep you company. If the weather is too cold you could provide a pile of crocheted lap rugs or fur or old blankets to get the cottage or french look. I suppose then your dining furniture would need to be a style to suit - maybe more relaxed or boho. Anyway sounds good fun - oo I forgot to allow for the outdoor fireplace (stone or brick) preferably. I notice you said any ideas would be greatly appreciated so I will press on regardless another day.

What a lovely house, a paint update will look really exciting! Contrary to all the colours you've chosen, I'd go instead with a warm grey (hint of taupe in it). It will always be classic, would look amazing with fresh white window frames and dark charcoal eaves (e.g. Dulux Monument). Cue my favourite colour: Dulux Dieskau. I just think there's quite a large area of uninterrupted rendered wall so I'd worry that if you go too bluish, it could look to be verging on pastel and a gingerbread house type effect. My brother painted Tranquil Retreat on his rendered Victorian and it has come up more blue than he'd thought (actually he was also considering Milton Moon). But of course, test paint a few walls sections with different aspects and check during the day from different angles (and even across the road)!! Actually there's another photo and paint colour I love that reminded me of this, I'll try and track it down.

my suggestion would be to keep the new kitchen in proportion to the size and scale of the whole house so i prefer option 2 with cabinets only as high as the top of the window, tall narrow fridge (less than 80cm wide) next to the back door with wall mounted mw and wall cabinets all round, no tall cabinets, more counter on the fridge wall then stove, sink and dw along the window wall to make sure that there is counter on either side of the stove and sink and locations for a toaster, kettle and other appliances..but exact location of appliances depends on budget and sizes of all the cabinets you want to use.. but, if you plan to remove gas in future, why not start with electric appliances and best insulation ready to add solar power at a future date? ...eg check out the electric air sourced hot water heaters and consider an electric flame heater for the kitchen fireplace and save the gas heater for the hew rear living area although it may be possible to have one heater with hot air connected to the other rooms with an in roof ducting system and, if you have long term plans to alter the rear lean-to research options for renovating the whole house and then plan all the work in stages...eg i would have the new laundry/bathroom next to the refurbished bedroom (master suite?) and have the future new rear living area with the north aspect