Hi Mike and Emma Hope you are slowly but surely getting there... may I make some comments/suggestions that you may or not take on board, but hopefully it may at least give you some ideas/options... Going through a new build ourselves at the moment, and for what it's worth, here's what I personally think: A. Work with what you've got: - additional plumbing work, gas work etc may not be necessary and (particularly gas) can be costly when you're trying to work around existing walls, floors, etc, and as much as possible utilise the existing connections... after whatever you can save here and there, you can spend on nicer cabinetery, gadgets, finishes, etc :) B. Avoid unnecessry structural work: - removing the kitchen/living wall is a must (more space, light, etc) but removing the laundry wall is an unncessary added cost (may even require costly additional strutural support) - putting up a plastered wall on the other hand is inexpensive, allows you to redefine different zones and relocate doors/openings where required (*note: avoid hinged doors in small spaces as you have to allow for wasted space to open door - suggest cavity sliding doors, easy to incorporate in a new wall) C. Don't sacrifice functionality and natural light for design - love full height floor to ceiling cabinets, very much on trend... but they also tend to bring the walls in, which you want to avoid in an already small space... they will also block out more natural ligtht from the only window to the living and breakfast bench (meals area)... not to mention seated guests would be staring at a cabinet tower and fridge - on the other hand a walk in pantry (not that much of a walk in a small space) is also very much on trend, provides more storage and... as entertaining guests in open plan livings tends to happen more in the kitchen... it provides a good hiding place for unsightly items, including frigges... (an underbench bar fridge in the kitchen can easily keep those beers cold... though do consider that means sacrificing some cabinet space) - constantly wiping off the floors from dripping wet dishes across the kictchen from the sink to the dishwaser on the other side bench would personally drive me mad after a while... the dishwasher can easily be connected to the existing sink water and waste points through the cabinerty... any half decent plumber should be able to do that... ON THAT NOTE... or should I say those notes... I know I got a bit carried away :) ... if it were me, here's an idea of what I would try to achieve ...

Awesome!! Actually macymacmaples, the mirror will date more than the white glass. My cupboards will be white handleless polyurethane...and I'm gonna choose Ceasartsone Calacatta Nuvo as my benchtops :) hagan - My painter (which is my cousin) lol, also wants me to do vivid white ceilings..but I'm thinking of just keeping it the same and doing Natural white ceilings too as I don't like contrast...I prefer it to all blend....Dunno yet tho, will keep u updated ;)

Thanks. The calacatta engineered stone bench was from a wholesaler in melbourne at the time (Polygramm), then i used his recommended stone mason who cut everything on site which took a whole day. Its equivalent to the top ranged ceaser stones... saved a few thousand after getting many quotes! Glad i chose engineered stone as i nearly went timber.. i use it everyday and its copped dropped glass jars, wine/beer, you name it.. couple of light scratches but a product called gumption seems to 'cut and polish' everything out so far. I am carefull though to use wooden chopping boards though. Very easy to clean too, i would certainly chose these style of bench tops over anything else if i was to do it again. The cabinets are by flatpackkichens in melb, they offered 50mm increments in cabinet sizes so made customising for my compacted space easy. Pretty sure they just order the doors from Polytec, which are vinyl wrapped gloss classic white in a style called sofia or atlanta (think they are the same). Good luck!

Hi, I know this is a long time after your first notes but I can't help but comment. I love the idea of the shallow wall that goes to the ceiling with a ladder. We lived in a home where the refrigerator was outside on the porch due to lack of space. With very few cupboards, I did a couple shelving units built between studs like that. I measured the height of each shelf away from the one above it with my canned foods. Turned out great and it is amazing how much those 2 little shelves could hold. I also want to say that I don't know building codes in your country but I agree that you should get at least 3 other quotes. With a concrete wall you can put electrical in that area. You can just have them use metal, electrical conduit. It does show (toe kick works, too!) but it is very non-invasive and should be cheaper. I really love the kitchen that Edith Martins posted. It is such a little gem. I can just picture myself working in that lovely place. Go slowly with your renovations. Listen to all thoughts and suggestions. In the end, this is your money you are spending and your home, so be sure to do what makes you happy. Lastly, there is NO box that you have to work within. Look online, watch Tiny House shows, go to architectural websites for ideas. Do YOUR thing. And, please post pictures when you are done! Best.