Hi oklouise, thank you for the 3D drawing it really does make it easier to visualize the project. :-) To your question of why we are keeping the wall between the kitchen and dining......... The original plan (we got it from the council) is not true to the current kitchen design. The current kitchen is unworkable. The wall that divides it from the dining room is brick and has a tiled bench with cupboards underneath and one very narrow open shelf and room for a fridge. There is a small island bench parallel with that which has electric hotplates (that don't work properly) with minimal to no set down on either side and a rangehood that sounds like a plane taking off. I cannot open my fridge door all the way as the island has been built too close (it cannot be moved). On the other side of the island bench is a column that houses an oven on one side and a robinhood ironing board/centre which doesn't work, on the other. There is a sink under the window with minimal set down on the LHS. The wall that divides the two rooms will accommodate the new hotplates, rangehood and ovens. The new sink will replace the old one under the window and a new island, parallel with the window will give me the bench space I am missing. (I know that many like to have a sink or hotplates on the island, however I will be happy with just bench and drawers). By the way, none of the internal walls are load bearing. Hi siriuskey. I love the fireplace and it works - sad to see it go however, we will dismantle it and rebuild it outside and replace it with a closed wood heater on the wall near where the old laundry is. And your suggestion of extending the ensuite in that direction is a good one . Hi Paul Di Stefano Design, yes we have discussed the design with a couple of professional design companies, and even considered bulldozing and rebuilding however that was going to be a more expensive option, and we have gorgeous established gardens that we want to keep. I agree, we are touching almost everything and discovering more issues as we go.

While the list of rooms and spaces seems to be adequate for a four bedroom home the relationship of these spaces to each other and the outside seems to be poor, and the amount of natural light is also poor. I would consider swapping master bedroom with WIR and ensuite so it is on the corner of the house. A small hallway between the family and the master bedroom would give you the separation you need without taking a chunk out of the corner of the family room. I would also swap the laundry with the kitchen, so the kitchen is on the rear corner of the house and has an opportunity for an external window. The two-way lounge room at the front will be problematic to furnish, and will make it easy for any little kids to wander out the front door without parents knowing about it. If it is an adult space then you don't need an opening to the kids hallway leading to their bedrooms. If it is a kids play space then you don't need an opening into the entry hall. By having both puts the function of the room into question. I suggest to most of my clients that spaces for computer use by kids are better placed in a more public area, like a family room, rather than shut away, as there are lots of bad things on the internet, and some supervision is needed. If it is a study for an adult for professional use then more separation from the kids' area may be warranted. The family room seems to be very internal and focussed on the TV without much of an outlook. It may be worthwhile getting a design professional to do an internal sun and shadow study so that you understand how little sunlight your home will get during the year. Best of luck with your considerations, Dr Retro of Dr Retro House Calls/Dr Retro Virtual Visits

Hello Annalisa, Option A I think is best but option from Kate has merit too in the space would look more open and larger. I was going to suggest tho that by loosing some of the robe in bedroom top left crn (the walk in should be enough?) And moving the door down as far as possible the wall to the sitting area will be longer for the tv and with option A: the wall to bedroom (top right) longer there is more wall space for back of couch and tv creating a square with three sides for furniture, conversation tv watching of uninterrupted space. If you feel more robe is needed for that top left bedroom it could come from the master one.... Hope this helps and you can see what I mean... Cheers Margot

IMO professional photography would have set ideal lighting suitable for this beautiful, serene, restful transformation. The carefully considered and varied textures of all materials, as listed by the designer, indicate that the essential variations for this restful retreat have all been incorporated. When exhibiting a grey-on-grey scheme, lighting is everything! (Covid seems to have played an lamentable part in the documenting of this elegant, refined solution).