LB I think you confuse me as much as I probably confuse you. LOL. ;-) I noticed I had some crazy auto correct word in my last post which I think was supposed to say "able" (I can't remember now what it even said) ;-) Oldroo I think the builder said something like sticking the old roof bats under the floor. The rain, yes we had it here more then a week straight!! It was great because 1) I was on the sunny coast in Qland that week! And 2) we are on tank water which we have been running off empty for about 6 months now and we just got a second tank connected a few weeks ago as well as guttering on our shed and guess what.... Our tanks were overflowing for days!! We could of filled 3 or 4 tanks at that rate!! So I am very happy about the rain!! :-D

clintandvic - are you very minimalist, private people? a lot of the solutions above seem very impersonal - and, while your current artwork might have special meaning for you, it could be found anywhere. I'd go for either the round or cheaper 'floating'-style bookshelves. I definitely wouldn't have a mirror backing for anything on which you are likely to put books (or heavy decorator items such as vases) - too easy to accidentally break the mirror! (I'd be filling the bookshelves here with cookbooks - but that's me), but it seems you don't really envisage books on the shelves? But most of all . . . this is your home, and it seems to be the corner of the kitchen, so close to the heart of your home? Even if you go with the shelves, don't fill them with this season's trendy decorator items - save the space for meaningful objects from your life together! Frame and display all sorts of personal items (not just photos - though I am also a fan of the idea of making it a photo wall): festival or sporting event tickets, maybe framed with a very small poster (you can even find and printout original ads for events from the internet); that crafty thing you bought when you were both away for a weekend . . . don't be afraid to make this space about you, rather than what you think it should look like - and it will make a great talking point to share with guests . . . How much more interesting would this wall look if it featured framed clothes from your wedding/the day you met/your favourite holiday together? These Houzz articles have some great ideas about the sorts of personal things you can use as decorator items around your home: https://www.houzz.com.au/magazine/8-everyday-treasures-and-how-to-share-them-stsetivw-vs~44492547 https://www.houzz.com.au/magazine/9-everyday-items-youd-never-think-to-frame-stsetivw-vs~45495730 and https://www.houzz.com.au/magazine/20-inventive-ways-to-decorate-with-your-holiday-souvenirs-stsetivw-vs~25913013

Absolutely agree with blueskies60 ! Remove the artwork/bench/plant that's on the left and replace then with either a bookshelf or a tall chest of drawers. Perhaps the plant can be repositioned into the corner on the floor where this troublesome niche is (there seems to be more than enough light there for a plant) and just place something calm and simple in the niche itself - perhaps a Japanese style scroll or pen and ink art work set off with a more rounded object sitting in the left corner of the niche; a gorgeous rock, a lovely candle, a calming statue... If you have (my preference) a chest of timber drawers on the left where the current art work is, you'll break up the symmetry, have more storage and have another surface upon which you can place a changing display of objects. This is the area that I would utilise for a mirror.

the verandah is a critical aspect to the original - I'd advise against altering or removing it- it adds dimension and character to the facade/form. I'd recommend any potential alterations/additions (if ever/being entertained) to be contained to the rear and respect/retain existing character that is contributory to the significance of the style of the building. Perhaps consolidate some ideas/goals and then seek some preliminary advice from a professional who is familiar/experienced (and respectful) to the building type you're working with....best of luck with it :) PD