Hi Kylie, If you're happy with the rest of your interiors spend some time figuring out what exactly you want to achieve. To my way of thinking - you only need an architect if you're extending your home or radically changing walls/adding a storey. Designers are great, if you're without confidence - particularly in the kitchen - I'd also suggest that you go with an independent designer as their interests will be in what you want not what they kitchen/bathroom company they're working for wants to sell. Figure out - are you changing the layout? moving plumbing? What's your budget? When you've done that, then do your research into picking your appliances, tiles, etc then pick a builder (Please please please spend your time doing this and researching their contractors licenses - the rule in our homes is no license check, they don't cross the threshold). A good builder when you get him into quote will also give you some ideas of what will work.

Daniel, what's your budget? Depending upon what that is there may be better value options that execute the spend to both (a) functional/spatial improvements/expansion and (b) higher property value outcome for the investment. We deal with this stuff on a daily basis and it simply comes down to budget one way or another depending upon the scope thresholds. What I will say is don't underestimate how much it costs to refit these expensive aspects within existing space by a "rearranging the sock drawer" type of approach.. More often than not we prove that this is often false economy as an isolated exercise (depending of course on budget/property value etc) and that alternatively a well considered/designed complimentary extension coupled with strategic/minimal renovation scope is a way better bang-for-buck strategy, and when it's valued in cost/m2 for the overall residence's outcome, it's actually a far LOWER cost/input for the property when projects are managed in this way. You'll achieve increased/more spacious living amenity, higher property value, for overall lower cost/m2 - that's a Win-Win-Win that you can't argue with. The thing is labour KILLS in renos these days and there is a lot of hidden labour in wet areas and for relatively small spaces......sometimes it's absolutely warranted say in inner urban areas where space is limited and you don't have the option, but you clearly have a stack of external swing room to extend out if you wanted to....which is why when strategies for these types of projects are being tossed around, we always try to make sure our clients are maximising the opportunity for whatever $$ they are injecting into the property..... you have step back a bit and "think outside the square" - that's how we deliver in what we do...... Hope that makes some sense provides some relevant food for thought! Cheers PD :)

you can't go wrong with the basic black white grey and timber and the most cost saving ideas we use is to replace all the fixtures in the same location, check out mid range RAM taps, basic handles eg black steel or brushed chrome D handles are timeless and cheap, research all your local hardware, tile and plumbing suppliers for sale items in vanities and tiles and make that the beginning to match everything to those but first measure the spaces to know the quantities and sizes you need...do you have a plumber, tiler, waterproofer, electrician and carpenter already arranged as tradespeople will often be able to recommned suppliers and/or include their trade discounts but pick one feature lightfitting (we use old faithful paper lanterns!!) eg for an entry foyer or dining area and keep all the other lights very basic although we recently found some great pendants on sale ...best of luck with your reno

Hey Larkspur, thanks for the great response! Actually, you are correct, according to the building inspection: "The original section of the dwelling is constructed upon a strip "edge beam" concrete footing system incorporating a suspended timber frame (bearer and joist flooring system) with the newer addition/s constructed upon a concrete slab footing system." That original edge beam has had a damp course put in along one side of the building, just FYI. I actually have trouble telling where the original section ends. The floorboards extend into the 'dining' area (hardly a dining area - you might fit a small table with 4 chairs in there). However, the rear of the bath area towards the courtyard is sided with that same weatherboard type material that's on the extension. I suspect they may have rebuilt the exterior of the bath and laundry area but that it was the original profile of the house. Regarding the fibre cement. My inspector noted there was a chance such material contained asbestos. But the building approvals attached to the Form 1 were given in the very late 80s / early 90s. As far as I am aware, they stopped making that material in the early 80s so I am hopeful we missed that. There is, however, a small amount of confirmed asbestos backing in the power meter box for example. As you saw. I am a huge bath fan and would definitely put one in. I have a soft spot for the cedar wood japanese baths but I suspect that's a pretty niche taste and wouldn't add as much value for future owners as much as me haha. The bathroom, even in it's current envelope, has heaps of spare room. The northern light actually enters the 'bottom' of the layout - e.g. the verandah / lounge / spare bed side. However, we get a fair bit of light in from all those windows in the breezeway. There is a very odd step down between the dining room and the are marked as living. As in, you jump off the floorboards onto tiling in the living area. As you get to the rear of the extenion, you actually step back up again. Not sure why they did that. The courtyard is level with the lower dining area. If I had a vision of a great kitchen, it'd be one with a bar running along that wall where the laundry meets the dining area. Maybe that bar would run along the windows to the courtyard too, forming an L shape. And a very functional, big cooking and prep area with a window to the courtyard. So, someone cooking could chat to their buddies and hand them a plate over the kitchen counter, or through a window potentially. The first house we really loved had a huge walk in pantry, triple insulated. That'd be awesome too but not sure if we would have room for it! Style is up in the air. We need to live in a bit longer to figure that one out. It already has a nice warm feel and I think we would try and keep that.