Hi oklouise, thank you for the 3D drawing it really does make it easier to visualize the project. :-) To your question of why we are keeping the wall between the kitchen and dining......... The original plan (we got it from the council) is not true to the current kitchen design. The current kitchen is unworkable. The wall that divides it from the dining room is brick and has a tiled bench with cupboards underneath and one very narrow open shelf and room for a fridge. There is a small island bench parallel with that which has electric hotplates (that don't work properly) with minimal to no set down on either side and a rangehood that sounds like a plane taking off. I cannot open my fridge door all the way as the island has been built too close (it cannot be moved). On the other side of the island bench is a column that houses an oven on one side and a robinhood ironing board/centre which doesn't work, on the other. There is a sink under the window with minimal set down on the LHS. The wall that divides the two rooms will accommodate the new hotplates, rangehood and ovens. The new sink will replace the old one under the window and a new island, parallel with the window will give me the bench space I am missing. (I know that many like to have a sink or hotplates on the island, however I will be happy with just bench and drawers). By the way, none of the internal walls are load bearing. Hi siriuskey. I love the fireplace and it works - sad to see it go however, we will dismantle it and rebuild it outside and replace it with a closed wood heater on the wall near where the old laundry is. And your suggestion of extending the ensuite in that direction is a good one . Hi Paul Di Stefano Design, yes we have discussed the design with a couple of professional design companies, and even considered bulldozing and rebuilding however that was going to be a more expensive option, and we have gorgeous established gardens that we want to keep. I agree, we are touching almost everything and discovering more issues as we go.

We intend to stay in our master upstairs for sometime and move down when we feel comfortable OR move them both into the guest bedroom which is opposite the new master. We originally had our master suite upstairs with the boys room down stairs, however we think it's safer this way when they are younger. The 1st floor will be their domain, with their own kitchenette, bathroom, study, living and deck... so they will never have to leave home 😉 I think I have drawn up 300 different options 🤦‍♀️ Does your huaband and his Identicial twin have an amazing bond? My Boys are identical and its incredible to watch how intuitive they are.

"Macyjean, if you were to decide, where would you rather have your bedrooms? would you flip this plan?" People's priorities are different so it's difficult for me to put myself in the mindset of that type of block in the first place and what I might do with it won't necessarily help you. I think everyone has given you some useful things to think about and then you need to decide which of them are relevant and important to you. "Do you think the afternoon sun will still come through the master’s Sliding door? I was thinking the alfresco roof would be able to block the sun. But I may be wrong." The sun won'r reach the window as early in the afternoon. We have a similar west facing window and we thought the wide roof over it would solve the problem there but it still gets late afternoon sun, which is lovely in winter but horrible in summer. We do not have a neighbouring house close to it though so it might depend on how close your neighbouring house is. It might be that there is not very much time between when the sun comes in under your roof and when it goes behind the neighbouring house. It also depends on what you plan to do with the garden. Deciduous trees in front of west facing windows can provide winter light and summer shade. But if you don't like raking autumn leaves or you want a lawn then that solution won't suit you. Something else to think about is what is on the other side of the fence. You might not want your bedrooms right next to where neighbours have their outdoor entertaining area. This is a really useful government website for making your home environmentally sustainable. https://www.yourhome.gov.au/passive-design This page explains how orientation works and some of the things you can do on various sides. https://www.yourhome.gov.au/passive-design/orientation "shutters/blockers" What sort do you mean? Beware of anything that goes on the inside of the window and claims to block heat. Obviously some materials and styles work better than others, but the most effective way to stop heat inside the window is to stop the sun reaching the window.

My daughter ran her business from her bedroom until they could afford a 3 bedroom house, their 2 bedder with two boys and no where else to fit an office was a very difficult time which thankfully they all survived. Having your office in your bedroom should be avoided at all cost, as you never leave the office behind as my daughter found out. Your bedroom is where you go to relax , I certainly wouldn't give up my sanctuary for anyone, even my kids. You are there full time so it makes sense. Your house already has enough rooms, except for making a small change to allow for another bedroom albeit small next to the bathroom as per my suggestion, Both of these rooms have space for the boys to have a desk (they don't need a lot of storage being part time) The desk in the living area can be built in to hide an office. This is a low cost solution and won't damage resale value. If down the track you can afford the new deck, try to work out to fit a room underneath as a hang out (media) area for the boys. not sure about WA but rooms like these in some states can have ceiling height at 2100, depends on what name!! you give them. My son is in a similar situation to you, except he now lives in a Studio Apartment in Sydney, so when he has his two kids 50 50 they make do in that space and seem to manage very well.