LB I think you confuse me as much as I probably confuse you. LOL. ;-) I noticed I had some crazy auto correct word in my last post which I think was supposed to say "able" (I can't remember now what it even said) ;-) Oldroo I think the builder said something like sticking the old roof bats under the floor. The rain, yes we had it here more then a week straight!! It was great because 1) I was on the sunny coast in Qland that week! And 2) we are on tank water which we have been running off empty for about 6 months now and we just got a second tank connected a few weeks ago as well as guttering on our shed and guess what.... Our tanks were overflowing for days!! We could of filled 3 or 4 tanks at that rate!! So I am very happy about the rain!! :-D

So many good suggestions and ideas, thank you everybody :) partim I actually had the lounge room exactly how you described to begin with, I know it's hard to visualize through just seeing the photos I've put up but it didn't work as the couch coffee table and tv unit were jammed in together leaving little walk through space and there was a lot of unusable wasted space in the corner where the tv is. I contemplated getting a corner lamp table at the time but what we really need is more sitting space than table space. I changed the room around to this and we liked it much better as the window wasn't obstructed as well. the walking space between couch and cone lamp hasn't been a problem. The absolute last thing after rugs etc will be to move the bigger bookcase that's next to wood heater to another room and put an armchair there :) that will require renovation of the other rooms first. our records are all in alphabetical order and I love them but wouldn't display them any more than I have already as it's not a huge focal point. decoenthusiaste I love the idea of putting the small bookcase on its side behind the couch and could do this if I put a finish on the top and the base! unfortunately it will no longer be able to hold the records if I do that as the shelves are an awkward shape. (Smaller shelf is better for holding records to keep them in separate categories and keep them standing up than the bigger shelf) redpoint, I know! I've always been a timber floor person. When we moved in I was set on putting wood floors down in future. Although these tiles lack character, since living with them I must say the practicality of them outweighs the aesthetics of wood. I can move furniture around without scratching the floor and know I'll never have to ever sand and re polish the floor from wear and tear and they feel cool to walk on in the hot, dry summer. I'm leaning towards getting a sandy coloured slate put down one day. That should add more character to the place :) and my future tribal rugs will work either way. The view is fine, it's just a neat suburban street. I feel too exposed for now with the curtains open and would like a privacy screen put up with a nice garden bed as a view when we get around to re paving and landscaping. It's a southern view so the winter sun now shines through our front windows, which gets a bit bright at times. The brown rug was given to us as a stop gap for absorbing sound and catching the walked in dirt. If I moved it in front of the couch the "brownness" of it would hurt my eyes while I'm trying to relax in my little living space hehe I would consider cutting up the wall hanging or doing something else with it yes, good idea :) Zag Built LLC, I like the idea of a round or oval coffee table! Thos. Baker, a new piece of art would be nice

Congratulations - welcome to the next few years of walking around your home with a tape measure, scribbled "plans" on the back of envelopes and dreaming. Live in your home for a year before you make any changes - different times of the year will show you were you have issues and where you don't, what works and what doesn't as well as how you use your home. Once you start moving plumbing you're looking at a lot of money, your yard very possibly being torn up and then on top of all your costs if the plumbing pipes go through neighbours properties you're look at costs concerning them too. See if you can do what you want without moving waste and sewer lines. When you've lived in your home a year, and have a look-book/ideas book then consult an architect to find a way to use your space more effectively and get it costed out - the cost just might be too much. Sometimes it's cheaper to sell and buy somewhere else long term - the financial, physical and emotional challenges of dealing with a major reno like you're talking about aren't to be undertaken lightly especially when kids, pets and alternate accommodation come into play.

you probably need a crowd of tradesmen to do all the work (carpenter, kitchen cabinet maker, plumber, electrican. painter, tiler, flooring installer etc) and you can have a builder take control and organise all the workers but the actual design can be done by you or an architect, building designer or kitchen cabinet makers might be able to help but, it depends on what needs doing...why not post some photos and a plan or a rough sketch of the existing rooms (including measurements, position of windows and doors and names of adjoining rooms) with a list of what you like and don't like and invite HOUZZERS to make specific suggestions so that when you need to contact the professionals you have a better idea of what you need