My advice is to think about the working/function as you need it for your family. Prioritise that (as a starting point) and get that happening somewhat free of a "box" shape extension and see how that all sits - it's like you're trying to squeeze it all in to a specific shape and then struggling with certain details....you're suggesting/entertaining ideas like a functional laundry/bag drop zone etc which 100% is important/relevant for a busy family of 4. The problem seems that there hasn't been true clarity on the function/requirements before the design has been proposed. Is it too small? Well it depends on how exactly you intend on using it - how many people need to be able to sit at the table or on the lounge etc..this will dictate scaling - whether or not you'd like a butlers pantry or not. Is the 3rd toilet needed? Well ultimately nobody can tell you that one way or the other - you will know whether functionally that is a requirement necessary for your family - all these are questions you will have (or need to establish) an opinion/position on one way or another and then (should) be able to work through (more effectively) & resolve with the architect whom you've engaged.....you are obviously staging the project which can be logical/necessary, and given this there may in fact be alternative and arguably more cost effective design options available for you (such as a 2nd stage "clean" extension for a master suite), but realistically that involves greater understanding/information of the site/context and your particular budget in order to provide specific advice/suggestions as to how best to achieve your goals...Good luck :) PD

I love the look of the house ! I love the glass bricks -- there is no way I would change them . I love the angled glass . I love the round garage window . I could even live with the colour . The 3 things I would change initially is -- 1 -- the front doors . I understand why they are done in charcoal , but I'd be more whimsical -- maybe a bright lipstick red to soften the pink tones , maybe 2 big stainless handles to tie in with the balustrade , maybe rich stained wooden doors with long narrow frosted windows -- the 'ship' look ? 2 -- the front 'fences' . Either they are wooden , or extremely poorly poured concrete . Do them in solid plastered concrete painted/rendered in the house 'pink' -- classy and ties in with the house . 3 -- the plants -- they literally look like those creepers that grow over rocks that haven't been looked after . In my eyes , I imagine a huge ceramic pot at least 1.5mtr round and similar height , filled with several different cactus , on the left hand side . And 3 palm trees planted on the right hand side -- maybe 5 , 8 and 12 metre tall . Miami Vice all the way haha , along witha $500k capital gain !

How much is a "moderate" budget? Moderate means different things to different people depending if they are involved in the renovation industry or outside. With your concrete slab and solid brick walls I would anticipate a moderate spend would be in the range of $15K to $20K. "Floating" cabinetwork and a wall-mounted toilet pan will push this over your $20k due to installation. Under $15K you are probably not spending enough. Always pay for quality tapware sanitaryware and fittings when doing a bathroom renovation as the labour is so expensive to replace them if they are cheaply made, they fail and need to be replaced. Best of luck, Dr Retro of Dr Retro House Calls/Dr Retro Virtual Visits

I realise you are UK based , but in my opinion you'd be best to keep most of the existing external features . So don't render , keep the windows in white , even the porch and front door all suit the style and era . If you try and go more modern , or more upmarket ( it already is better than average IMO ) , it will look too try-hard -- too much trying to be something it isn't . Possibly , if replacing the wooden framing under the tiles , and you can reuse the tiles , go for it , or possibly do a gable on the upper part ( plasterboard and battens , maybe in a 'sunrise' pattern ? ) and then reuse the tiles on the lower part where the window is . I can't quite work out what you are doing with the garages -- turn them into rooms , or do an upstairs addition and keep the garages ? If you are doing an upstairs addition , maybe 'reverse' what I said about the wooden tiles -- do the middle half of the existing upstairs , and the 'flat roofed' extension , in a plasterboard painted/rendered off-white ; and the upper gable in the tiles ? Landscaping is easy -- just look at the English upmarket estates , so some 'shaped' conifers and maybe even a low hedge , a birdpond possibly , and spray and rake the driveway ( assuming you are keeping the garage ) ; or dig it up at least that last metre ( it would be a pain I know , but theres no real way around it ) , add topsoil , and grass and shrubs and maybe a narrow flowerbed -- basically , make it look like it WASN'T a driveway there .