I also agree you windows work together quite well, although I do see your concern from ground floor and first floor. I think it's a matter of proportions. I thi k this style of architecture is best complimented by elongating the details, in particular windows under eave line. In your case, the windows full height are striking, but as you cannot possibly achieve the same position being your external walls are different lengths, then I would create identity of their own, either by UN matching the style, or the layout. I like the full height from the interior, however, perhaps on the right, I would adjoin the window to the central panel, and extend it across with the glazing bars on the right, leaving the adjoining window a fixed, open pane of glass. Lave the same width of wall exposed on either side working from the outside in, that way the sight lines would be improved, and each room it's own unique vantage point. For the ground floor, again, elongate them, shorten them, and lift as high as you can, it will improve sunlight exposure, and provide useful wall below them, form he inside built in joinery can really impact your interior. Bookcase, window seat etc. I would also keep them as a single pane but with the top section divided and awning opening. So effectively, two rectangles, small one on top, larger pane below. As for your feature area, would make it something that links into the window frames, architectural, so perhaps a nailstrip ethical cladding in a colourbond grey, or if budgets allow, a copper cladding panel. It will age beautifully, and I would uplight it rom your portico so it is really a beacon of welcoming. Infact, I would continue it down below the portico, as if defining this central detail. The front door could be painted to match this element. I can even see a really stylish opportunity to use this portico roof, and clad the front columns in horizontal slats up most of he way, leaving he top boxed out to plant with cascading, heat tolerant plants. Striking and architectural, use landscape to create vistas from inside, and up light to dramatic effect. Plants like mother in laws tongue, ground covers and cascading dichondra falls, all will soften the architecture which can remain unapologetically bold.

Emerald pearl does not throw green, weirdly it has pearl/silver flecks with a hint of green, hence is why we chose it. The silver flecks reflect amazingly with light, especially of an evening with downlight. Here is some info for you. My husband had many conversations with the granite supplier prior to buying, he was informed of the difference in the cutting of the granite. Apparently when the granite is cut a certain way it enhances the size of the (in want of a better word, Fleck), it has a higher level of reflective pattern with it. It is more costly but the size of the pearl in the granite is much larger and much more pretty, almost ornate. I find it so easy to keep clean, mostly because I love the high shine and therefore like to keep it looking that way. Windex is what the supplier has told us to use, but I have discovered a natural cleaner especially made for granite and it just made it perfectly clean and shiny. It is called Earth granite and marble cleaner spray. Best wishes with your kitchen, I am sure it will look amazing!

Hi Kathy, so thrilled to hear my comments got you started thinking of the big picture, it has been a pleasure working with this. When you are starting totally from scratch like this it is easy to become too close to the issues and the brain becomes overloaded so you can't see the woods for the trees. I think this is also a classic example of why I always tell people to live in a house for a year before beginning to decorate, as hard as it is to be patient and wait, you do need to get the feel for a house and relate your lifestyle to it. I do like your idea of splitting the room into two areas, the room looks big enough to give you this option, and to me intimate spaces within a room create a more welcoming and homely feel. When you have a good idea of the furniture you would like, put what you have in the room and measure anything else before you buy it, use newspaper or cardboard boxes the size of the pieces and put them around the room to ensure you are going to get the desired result. It can be so easy to over or under estimate just how much space furniture will take up. Sorry the green lounge in the study didn't work out, but glad this has helped you see options. Just my personal opinion, one of my joeys had a lovely old grandfather clock in her lounge room and while it was a beautiful piece of furniture to look at, I just found it a little on the intrusive side - with its constant chiming it just didn't make the room feel relaxing, one was just so aware of the passing of time. Of course this can be advantageous when certain rellies visit. She ended up moving hers to her entrance foyer where it was a stand out feature and the lounge room became so much more relaxing. Love to see some photos of your landscaping.

Render it MAYBE. Remove the orange bathroom tiles. Replace the rocks with a clean edge. Emphasise the vertical lines of the walls of brick and the vertical lines that the window can form, being one on top of the other. Vertical narrow pencil trees (? name) I think that God gave you steps for a reason. You might put narrow pencil conifers at the front corners of that, too. If you remove the steps, you will be broke, and you will replace them with an even uglier diagonal set of steps. There is no other diagonal on the house. De-emphasise the horisontal. So, if the windows are going to be different colours, have them match one above the other. Use curtains with wide stripes. Do not emphasise the horisontal lines above the windows or the floor of the upstairs landing. Have the edge of the concrete straight, and in line with the house. Get rid of that insipid ---- under, and around, the stairs. This house represents the jet age. You need it clean. Alternatively, don't worry about it. Save your money, or spend the money on an amazing experience. It is hard for a house to look amazing if it is below street level. That is why you do not see houses in magazines below street level (as far as I know.) If you save money so you don't have money worries, there will be more love in the house and that will be more important that the appearance. If you have children, they will not give a ---- about the decoration. At all!!!