I agree with Catherine. I see more effort put into the design of a study/home office area than ever before. If my clients don't have the extra room to create a working space then we look at how they can incorporate a workspace into their living areas. I'm also finding that a lot of people don't have the time or expense to keep updating their interiors but instead are looking for timeless designs when it comes to furniture and kitchen/bathrooms. A space can be updated with accessories and art. Another trend I have seen is for more people to put more of themselves into their home design. I have seen so many homes that look exactly like showrooms or display houses (which some of them I can say are stunning but they all look the same) - however my Clients have said "well the designer told me this is what is on trend and that this is what homes look like'. And my Clients don't even like the end result! They just go with it because. People want their homes to stand out from their friends and neighbours and this can only be done with using the Clients personality tastefully.

No... for us bedrooms are for sleeping in not playing in, and we all like to snuggle up together. We have two beds all pushed together and we are all in together. Maybe when my 2 kids are older they will share a room, but they will no doubt want to share a double bed. Perhaps they would just like a little nook in a shared room when they reach their teens. We all enjoy the intimacy of shared space. We like to be right on top of each other... we currently have separate kitchen, but everyone crowds in there while we cook. Play areas are in the living room, as well as craft stuff, desks, computer desks, books, toys, We have a typical 3 bed brick house and it does not fit how we live. We mostly only live in half the house. The 2 other bedrooms are just used for storage. Realistically we probably only need a 3 room house. One large sleeping area, one larger living area with zones for our different activities, and open plan kitchen. And a bathroom/laundry. I'd probably even spring for a communal walk in robe off the bathroom/laundry.

As I was using the same tiles, vanities etc and tradesmen at the same for both the bathrooms downstairs, it helped reduce the cost. I would say roughly $15,000 per bathroom and that also included getting the expensive Italian feature tiles and the scones/ wall lights weren't cheap either. If you design cleverly, you can purchase most items at a good price, then shell out a bit for the wow factor pieces!

The 'after' shots are a bit budget -- did you save money bu using only half a black and white camera ? Not for me thanks -- its basically the same , painted white . It even looks like you re-used the cream panels around the top -- just weird IMO . No character or life , except the tap and lights , which admittedly are the highlights . Imagine the same benchtops and splashback , but with charcoal cabinets or even a reddish jarrah or similar cabinets .