Astraea, from what I have read, it seems the force of that tornado leaves nothing unscathed. Kutchie mentioned silos made from concrete 16 ins thick being reduced to rubble - how thick would walls need to be!!! If they can dig a whole in the ground 6ft deep that is a long way down for a basement to be. One would think though NASA could come up with something - spaceships have to withstand huge forces. I was so relieved to hear tonight that the death toll is nowhere near as high as first thought, in fact only a third. Of course one death is tragic and the poor little kids who drowned was horrible. Unfortunately, the mob next door are exempt from zoning laws, they have special protection as part of the Govt's cost cutting methods. Instead of having facilities for serious mentally disabled people they lease homes and, in this case, put 5 of them into the home with full time live-in carers. This is the first time the owners have ever trimmed the trees, despite my constant requests for them to do so. We even had to chop one back that is on the street front as the postman couldn't get to our letter box. This time they have taken the top off them although it is still not necessary for them to be so high, but they did have the power lines running through them which was the biggest concern. I have been going to complain to the Council about them a few times but there is not a lot they can do, I would have to go to some mediation board that has been set up for this sort of thing but it is too far away. The main issue I have is that if any work is done on them, it all has to be done from my side which means they are clomping over my garden and I get the mess, but if I stop them, which I do have the right to do, then I have to put up with the trees right over my side garden and driveway. Legally, they should come to my door and ask permission to enter my property but of course workmen never do. I'm actually wondering if the Charity that runs the home may have organised it as they pruned every tree and shrub on the property, but it is the first time it has been done in about 20 years, so at this rate I may never see them again.

I see this is a very old thread , with lots of comments . I've just skim read them , but I haven't seen anyone suggest anything like my 'top-of-my-head' idea -- I love the wood , and the white contrast , but pretty boring . Whats your favourite colour , or what ties in with the other rooms ? It might be blue or red or yellow or orange or green , as examples . So paint the skirting board and around the door a pastel shade of your choice , and add a small 30cm x 30cm abstract painting featuring that colour as the primary dominant one , above ( or possibly below , or maybe even get 2 matching/complementary ones ) the control panel . One lighting crowd suggested glass shades -- I'd actually go for someothing large but wooden , in much the same shade as your floors and steps , with LED bulbs -- you can get some stunning ones around 80-100 cm in diameter ( sort of a star ball shape ) for $300-400 . Total budget then $500 plus a painter and maybe electrician , unless you DIY .

@angelasusanm The advice you have given about how to prioritise your approach to creating a home (orientation, budget, family needs and dynamics, then exterior) is AWESOME. It is so great to hear homeowners understanding that the investment in design is worthwhile - I believe it is where your home is made ... where it can realise its full potential, or be a handicap and compromise your daily life. It can be hard to be patient ... usually when homeowners actually hit the 'go' button on building or renovating, there has been YEARS of wishing, planning, dreaming and collecting of ideas. So when it finally comes time to put all of that hoping into planning and action, you can be at breaking point. REALLY sick of your existing home, or really excited (or desperate!) to get into a new home, or a bigger renovated home, or a home with more modern spaces and conveniences, or the area you actually want to live in ... the list goes on. So it's understandable that homeowners can want to race through the design process - or choose a plan from a catalogue that suits their needs for size and function - and just get it built. Whilst lines are on a page though, that is where things are relatively inexpensive. It's where you can explore ideas, make sure you're making the most of your site and your money, and that you're setting yourself up for a home and life that is as great as it can be. Because once you start building, that linework becomes permanent choices you have to live with on a daily basis. It also is difficult to keep an eye on the big picture. Building and renovating may feel like one big decision - but it's actually a series of small decisions. Often you'll make one, which will lead to another, which will lead to another. And if the first decision hasn't been made with the best information, or with the best framework - then every consequential decision can lead you down a rabbit hole and just make matters worse. So, stepping back and remembering what you're seeking to achieve ... which for many people is a family home that is functional, flexible, comfortable and safe (and that doesn't financially stress them) ... is the important helicopter view to get yourself back to when things seem to be frustrating or overwhelming you. Doing this all whilst your home is on paper, is seriously such a great investment of time and energy. - Amelia, UA x www.undercoverarchitect.com.au amelia@undercoverarchitect.com.au

The amended plan isn't too bad. These are my non-professional thoughts: - do you need a mud room? Does it need to be on view to everyone who visits the house? - the main bedroom WIR and bathroom looks like it needs work. The WIR is huge. The bathroom is also big, but the toilet is positioned near one of the two sinks instead of being in a separate room for visual and acoustic privacy (not to mention certain ... scents). Since you have a bath in the main bathroom, I would at least get rid of the bath to give the toilet its own "room" in the ensuite. But, I think the whole area could be re-done to much more efficiently use the space. - the hallway is LONG and dull and only offers glimpses of part of the kitchen. If it can't be changed, consider adding some wall niches for art, sky lights and other features to give it some interest. - I'm not sure why a three bedroom house requires two living rooms and a study. If the study is meant to be a fourth bedroom, then it should have a regular hinged door and a BIR. - the wall between the main bathroom and the living area will need to be soundproofed to the maximum extent possible. At the very least, I would swap the position of the toilet and the wet room in the main bathroom so that guests don't have to worry about what sound is filtering into the living room. - the kitchen is pretty huge. I can't quite tell what appliances have been placed where on the plans, but consider ease of movement between the fridge, stove and sink and whether the current locations will be practical. The space beside the pantry also appears to be pretty useless. I'd consider just expanding the pantry or reducing the size of the pantry and including a built-in desk / bookshelves / charging station beside the pantry.\ Good luck!