Changes cost an absolute bomb so consider your modifications carefully Joy. Looking at both plans you've not altered the design much rather you've moved rooms around whilst trying to retain the original content. Some rooms appear less usable as a result. The #2/bed/study is one, seems too small, even the guest bed seems smaller and it didn't appear large to begin with. Without room dimensions it's a bit tougher to make comments however. I wonder why you made the guest bathroom a powder room given the location is such that it won't be used as frequently as the bathroom off the main living area? Sure put the doorway into the guest room so the bathroom can service the bed/study too but don't lose the shower up there. Nothing worse for guests than having to pad through the main living area in their pj's to the shower or worse with a towel wrapped around their middles on the return trip to get dressed. It's enough to put some off their cornflakes! I'd seriously rethink some of those changes Joy they will cost you a lot with little gain methinks. I'm sorry to sour the mood I know it's an exciting time but I'd hate to see you make expensive and possibly unnecessary decisions.

Even though I love the look of a container and they have a lot going for them, the dollar's just didn't add up for them to be a cost effective solution when compared to standard building practice's. They are just a bit to narrow which is where the main issue stemmed from. Joining two together work's but again paying a metal shop to do it bumped up the cost's with structural steelwork, engineering detailing/shop drawing's, etc. I used to be a boilermaker welder many year's ago so know what was needed....... Shame they didn't work out cost wise as I can see the attraction. Nevertheless, I would investigate both option's of using a container as the starting point, then compare it to if you used standard building processes of timber frame and cladding with the same dimension's......

Hi Clare, Looks like an interesting project! Whilst are very tuned into to contemporary living experience, we have the capacity and flexibility to provide design solutions to whatever the client's specific requirements are over a broad range of styles and contexts.....for example, we recently replicated a Victorian homestead to the point where it was mistaken for a renovation when it was a new build ( ;) )....this Tudor project is a similar (but different) deal.....would be interested to hear more about your project and provide some further information/comments and possibly assistance if you'd like to contact me directly at your convenience......we service Melbourne, Geelong and Mornington regions and regularly design and work with heritage and traditional style residences and contexts.... Thanks Clare. Kind regards, Paul Di Stefano

I'm going to thro a wobbly into this mix: Have you thought about going two storey so there is some outside space for boys to play? Looking at your site plan play is either in the pool or the street! Master bedroom, with all the robe you want upstairs and a kids free zone! Or boys rooms above as long has they do not own hob nail boots! Then do not use ALL the extra space on ground for your film works! Seriously this would give you some breathing space and some real outdoor living area to enjoy which you can do in Ipswich climate. Four beds separate bath rooms and stairs above with a laundry chute. Down stairs a real laundry (proportional to a five bed house) A powder room with shower for after pool. Your study of a size worthwhile and theatre room for family second sitting room as well as clients. The master can then have better sized robe, all the bits you want in ensuite including separate loo (lovely idea) but please on outside wall with window. Personally, I'm not one for two storey but in this tight site I think it would be much better. Good Luck, Margot