Hi charlie_com: would love to see more as your house plans develop. We bought a house in The Gap last year. So hi, neighbour! We are currently working on plans for short term and long term renovations. I came across your post when searching for advice about whether it would be a big issue if laundry doesn't have direct external access. I agree with others who have mentioned the condenser dryer: our laundry is currently not internal and concealed, but we bought one soon after we moved in (a Bosch heat pump/condenser dryer) and are really happy with the investment as it reduces moisture in the laundry area and is much more energy efficient. I must admit to using it a lot now, because of the energy efficiency, and it being so much easier to stay on top of the laundry. The Styling Edge's photo of concealed laundry set up reminded me of a house where I first saw this set up being sold in Ashgrove several years ago. It was very nicely renovated, and part of the fairly open plan living, dining and kitchen zone, leading to the back deck and then back yard. I remember thinking it would be handy to have a laundry that was so close to living areas and bedrooms and not be separated from the main living. The house had no trouble selling, so it certainly didn't seem to be a deal breaker for buyers. I think it could be more problematic if there was a long, windy route through or around the house, to get to a clothes line. And by the way, I did check out your other posts to see if there was more progress on your house, and spotted the mention of not having a rug for 10 years due to inability to decide, and had a bit of a chuckle: that sounds so much like me.

What a cool house design! Off the top of my head, I think I'd be inclined to paint the brick surrounding the sliding door (1st image) and either paint the pillars or clad them in same timber as the ceiling just inside that same sliding door (1st image). I'd be tempted to leave the large wall as bigreader suggested simply because it's such a magnificent feature. If you live with it for a while then still not loving it, then paint it. While I like the chandelier, it doesn't really suit where it is, as Warren pointed out. If you wanted to change, best to consider if there are any other electrical changes you want to make and get an electrician out only the once. As far as paint colour goes, do you know what the current wall paint colour is?I'd paint to match the wall colour and complement the carpet, but important to know if you like the current colour or want to change. Also it would help to know what your own plans for the interior style is. Do you want to remain true to the 80s with just a few tweaks, or change it completely? About the balustrade, do you want to change the colour of it as well? Is it also made out of glass (couldn't quite tell from photo)?

Hi AIC, Hasn't your extension and deck been designed by a Brisbane architect based at Ashgrove. I have seen the picture above before and have admired it. I won't mention the name of the architect, but I was pondering whether to ask them to give advice on an extension + deck that I am considering. Are you happy with what has been done so far? Would you engage them again? What aspect is the back of your house ? Did you end up finding any info about neighbours building extensions that overlook your backyard? My new neighours have built a massive house that should have been built on a bigger block. The house has only just been completed. They don't have a deck on the top storey, but it is all glass doors. They got many relaxations - built on fence line, house closer to front of block than all other houses, etc, for the initial build. I can only imagine that they were advised by the certifier that they wouldn't get approval for a massive deck overlooking my yard (as the house extends back 11m further into their yard than mine (on the east side of my place). That is, if it was part of the original house approval. I am not sure how the house was certified with the sliding doors 3.5 metres of the ground going to nowhere - to a massive void.

I’d start by position couch with its back to hallway and solid wall. Then see how the floor space works for you. Long lounge rooms are hard. But this should give more flexibility for a larger crowd using some flexible furniture. Maybe piano and bar/buffet along the new side wall with just a highline window