Hey there Ruth BT, thanks for opening up to the Houzz community for some ideas. It's a tough one when you have so many options to choose from. It sounds like you need a convertible space and some room to move/change things up. Have you considered perhaps some high quality synthetic turf, with some feature trees and lower planters or climbing plants to compliment? Maintains a modern look, without overdoing the coastal theme. Shade sails are also a great way to provide shade while plants are growing in, without compromising the style of your home or breaking the bank. Hope these suggestions spark some ideas - we're looking forward to seeing the end result!

I have to put my hand up again I love builders and they are the to go to guys to build things but designers they are not, if they are given a plan already designed they have the know how to make it happen. My problem with your house is that when the last extensions were done the family room ended up in the middle of the house surrounded by other rooms, this could have made everything quite dark and closed in. I have removed bed 2 for this reason so that the space can be opened up for more usable area plus a larger entrance and more light inside. Bed 2 can be replaced with a much better master suite using the living and dining to allow an ensuite and WIR, this to be done when needed and money allows for fit out of the ensuite but until then it's a wonderful Master bedroom. For now the existing dining can be opened up or not to the narrow passage , to be used for kids play room/study or guests. Changing the entrance to a bigger wider one gives great street appeal and easier access whether it be by stairs or ramp. I prefer the laundry where it is close to the bedrooms, this can have another much needed WC and even a shower using the existing plumbing from the bathroom next door. This laundry bathroom should be setup with possible wheel chair use in mind, The washing machine and dryer stacked and installed into a cupboard using one of or similar easy ducting systems which uses a 6" flexable tubing up into the ceiling and across and out down through the eaves. cheap and easy, no expensive dryer required. Also the current access to the bedrooms is in the wrong position making it a hike from the entrance and kitchen to the WC, changing it to the other end makes for better access. Importantly the kitchen to remain in the same position but removing walls to open up and adding a 1800 x 900 x 3 x 600 pot drawers for great storage, The 600 Pantry will double it's storage by simply adding drawers. plus so easy to find things Try to re use as many doors and windows as possible and making them as large as possible in the family kitchen space. Lovely sliding doors from the current living room verandah adds a special touch for either living or bedroom, with the entrance moved that verandah is now a usable space for chairs and small table. Your builder is the one to deal with any load bearing wall situations and I'am hoping by retaining the dining room wall or part there of will still work cheers

i mean the structure of the floor ie a concrete slab on the ground or a timber framed floor with crawl space underneath not the decorative surface of timber or slate or tiles and please post a site plan showing the "extra master in line with pool" with dimensions and distances from boundaries, pool and back of house and how do you use that space and does it include a bathroom? and extending into the front porch may be less cost effective than extending into a new space at the rear but will test some ideas for you but what you are suggesting isn't what i would expect to be able to achieve on a tight budget

Alright brains trust! For anyone who wants to tackle this weekend's options. House one is a total crazy town - 250m2 of living space, with the top floor rented out separately (with a separate entry). We'd want to bring the two levels together into one house. House two is a little place, on a good size corner block. Our dream requirements across both houses are: 4 bedrooms, including main with genuine WIR and ensuite At least 2 bathrooms with a separate toilet (or 2.5 inc a powder room) Two living spaces Open plan kitchen/dining, with a big island and a walk in pantry A mud room connected to the garage Maximise indoor/outdoor flow, with light - it's Canberra, so we have both -8 and 40 with depressing regularity. Both of the properties are brick veneer, timber bearer and joist floor and conventional truss roof. House one has a SW facing facade, 780m2. House two has a S facing facade, 990m2. Both are flat blocks, and easements are at the edges of the property so no real encroachment issues. Unfortunately I don't have legible floor plans, other than the agent's mock ups, for either. Happy to answer questions where I can! House One House Two