H Tracey, When you have males in the family you need an extra loo, they tend to like to use that as their reading room!! Our house has beautiful parquetry floors as well and we love them wouldn't have anything else. Love that window so can see why hubbie was wanting to sit by it and read, but not really the best quiet place in the house, so thinking again. but did think that would make a great pantry to the kitchen and if the door was left open at the other end of the pantry that's what you would see. Also a great spot to continue a bench from the kitchen (as per photo) that you could sit at and ponder what to cook for dinner while searching the internet Just like corner cabinets in a kitchens which I hate and think are bad design, I prefer not to have islands that only give you one way access it's too restrictive, a free standing island is far more functional by giving easy access to the meals and the family area, and in my opinion looks better and up to date if you're looking to update your kitchen. Keeping mind that the old Pantry is/could be load bearing I still think it's a better use to have the pantry over a reading room, even with the lovely window, perhaps you could move it to a better place where it could be enjoyed by all. Cheers,

some extra ideas without changes to external walls or windows, removing the ens bath would allow an extra biw and giant shower (although an external door from the ensuite could be great for access to the pool or courtyard) strongly suggest you keep the hallway entry to the powder room for easy access from garage and home office and, adding sliding doors could make the home office more flexible for a future baby's room, the original study divided into garage storage and mudroom, walk in new pantry with sink, replacing the crooked central walls allows for the pantry, extra storage, private access to the minor bedrooms and bathroom and a better location for the heater ...simple refurbishing of the kitchen and ensuite with relatively minor demolition and reconstructing of walls and storage could easily use up $150,000 so probably best to plan and price each area separately but there are extras like the sink in the pantry and handbasin in the family toilet that will improve comfort and be much better value than changing any external doors or windows

I agree with changing the doors from the garage (if not problematic for fire rating), the powder room and the pantry into sliding doors - either cavity or wall mounted for a feature. Also I would definitely have the sink in a bench along the outside wall - and I would have a much bigger window there to let more light into the kitchen. Also swap the opening of the sliding door to the other side and change the door to closer to the kitchen wall so the fridge and bench in the pantry are on the wall furtherest from the kitchen which will give you a longer bench. I would also try to have the doors to the garage and pantry as close as possible to opposite each other for ease of carrying groceries in. Good luck with your build - I hopes it turns out to be everything you are hoping for. <3 :)

@Megan K, I agree I don't follow the Triangle Theory, ie: with galley kitchens this doesn't apply.. Fridge and wall ovens need reachable put down spaces for food stuffs and hot pans. Cooktops need access to a sink for hot liquids.. Many of today's kitchens have more then one sink so that is usually easy to arrange. Fridges need to have easy access for preparing meals, family and even guest access. For me I do what I feel works for me, having said that I'am lucky to be able to work that out where as others need help like what happens on Houzz OKLouise is outstanding for this and has contributed to help many Houzzers over a few years, (who's counting) it takes a lot of time producing floorplans with such consideration and detail..