Cats indoors with the back verandah built in for them (snake mesh). I believe cats should be contained for their safety and that of wildlife. I am on acreage with nearest road/neighbour 1 km away - so for my cats it is really about the safety of wildlife. 2 small indoor dogs - mini dachshund and chihuahua. Indoors for their safety and they are a part of the family. 1 outdoor dog protecting livestock. I have always had dogs inside. I used to have larger dogs and they would be wherever I was, and outdoors when I wasn't home. I have had a lot of dogs... chosen and rescues/highway pickups. I have always heard the argument that it is not hygienic having them indoors.... and now I have had kids I can confidently say kids are far worse than dogs. My house used to always be clean and clutter free. Now I am constantly cleaning and tidying and telling kids to pick up stuff - and I might get 5 minutes a day where it looks like what it always looked like when I just had dogs!

Boris Pasternak's Dr Zhivago, because Russian Revolution. Hollywood told me it was the "greatest love story ever told", and I keep believing those damn hollywood lies.

Congratulations on your new home. I think you have been very sensible to live in it for a year before starting your decorating, it has given you time to consider the lighting and aspect of each room in all seasons as well as time to evaluate how you want to live in your home and exactly what you need. The lounge does look very big and bulky and will definitely dominate the room, so I would keep to the lighter colour. Don't worry about the kids and dirt - as Kookykaren said, leather cleans easily - sharp objects and textas are your bigger worry regardless of what colour you choose. Laying newspaper on the floor to the size of the lounge is another way of checking how it will look as it gives you a better indication of bulk than tape. I would keep your ottoman simple (one with storage is an excellent idea with the children), just a tone on tone fabric or a pattern using the colours in the rug on the floor of the photo of the lounge. I don't think you have room for too large an ottoman but I would have a square one made the same height as the lounge so when just you and DH are watching TV you can push it against the other end of the lounge and both have a chaise. You can then bring some colour with art work or some patterned cushions on the lounges.

Hey Nik Star, I've had a PowerPoint play with oklouise's edits. This is what I meant about garage entry to the pantry and a laundry in the garage. The red arrows are to stipulate to the builder that level access is required. I added extra garage depth to allow for the garage, that would definitely impact your facade elevation. If you remove the wall between the butler's pantry and mudroom you would have a SUPER PANTRY! But a true butler's pantry in that it was supposed to be where you would land with the veg from the garden so you would kick your shoes off inside the door, so I've noted a little bench seat there, then head in and wash it before heading over to the actual cooking area. Then if you get rid of the sliders and reduce the storage to shallow shelving on the middle wall you would have plenty of space to manoeuvre with mobility devices. For the washing labour machines - washer, dryer, dishy - try getting those mounted on plinths so the load on your poor back is reduced. I have dodgy joints so I am researching all the ergonomic ways to design work spaces to help me when I get to the awesome stage you guys are at with getting to build!