it's ok Oskuee, I still haven't really finished the lounge, really? this is a great website, I can refer back to comments and advice for future reference as well. I definitely want to find a nice light/s for over the table, I just don't know what will look good, I have been scouring houzz and a few other sites trying to find something that might suit and perhaps improvise with as well with a similar/replica? I still have a couple of pieces by the dining table I want to sell or swap? as I had my eye on a beautiful 2mtr long 1mtr high buffet, but for $3000+ (perfect dimensions and look) Which hides all the dishes and glasses and a built in hidden wine rack : ) I couldn't justify spending that much so have an empty space waiting for something to come along? I have even considered trying to build my own? but don't want it to look banged up either? hehehe

Jacey, nice to see you are still here, many aren't after this length of time. I'm having a little chuckle here as when I originally read your post, my first thought was "move house", but I didn't want to sound so rude as to say so. It reminded me of my first house which was at the flat end of the street but the other end was very much "mountain goat territory" and the driveways reminded me of yours. After living in the homes for years, some spent mega amounts removing rock and excavating to create a garage more at road level and from there the stairs started zig-zagging to the front entry, new front entries were even created at a lower level, but the stairs still continued inside the house, there was just no escaping the climb. I wondered how you even got your wheelie bins up and down the drive. Hope you are enjoying your new home, long term I think you made a very wise decision.

Hi Bella, I think it is smart to be strategic in how you approach council. My suggested process as follows: 1. Talk to your neighbours, show them what you have in mind. The goal being to keep them on your side. Ask for their honest opinion- better they give it now, than tell council about it during DA. Objections can be a major issue (even just 1). 2. Engage a private Town Planner for 1 hr. Show them your sketches. Ask them to review how compliant it is. There are many layers to this, some depending on what part of Marrickville you are in- heritage, flood, etc. Then all the typical for inner west- shadowing (the biggest issue for 2-storey alts&adds), FSR, tree conservation, on-site water management, build form/bulk and scale....the list goes on. Town Planners are around $200/hr and it may be the best $200 you spend during DA. Many architects will consult TP's after the DA goes in. This has never worked well for us. You can save yourself the $200 if you want to wade through councils many volumes of DCP's and LEP's. Frankly they hurt my head! My honest advice would be to submit the most compliant plan possible. This may mean some big compromises from you.....BUT.....the end goal is to get an approval. A DA rejection is $$$ lost and time lost. Once you have your approval, you can go back Oliver Twist-style and ask for more (eg: the compromises you made) with a Section 96. If they reject a s96- it's no major $$ or time lose. You can still appeal a 96 rejection to council or court. There is less to review,meaning less expense to you. Do a Pre-DA meeting with council. You will know straight up where they are going to nit-pick you. Make the adjustments for DA, then try again in s96 if you are that committed to it. I've not commented on when you engage an architect. Probably after 2 though. Always use local professionals. They know how to manage the council. Good luck!

Oh wow you have been busy! It's funny, I was at my Mum's today and we were discussing your plans. We decided the bunk room was a bit small and she suggested moving it back like you have done. Agree the fireplace will be be better on the western wall, with flow from the kitchen to the backyard with large doors. I'm torn about whether the changes to make the mudroom bigger are changing too much what I loved about the previous iteration, i.e. the void and the toilet placement. Although my hubbie wasn't sure about the toilet where it was previously as he was worried sound would carry into the lounge I never thought of that to be honest and really liked how it entered from under the stairs ‍♀️ No views to the south so no need for the window seat, would prefer the void I think and no need for bath downstairs. Which version do you think works better? Perhaps the mudroom was big enough? I did like the extra room off it for storage etc Thanks so much for the renders, I'm a bit concerned that it now doesn't look like my original picture. I'm really trying to keep the look as American as possible with the pitch of the veranda and the pitch of the roof. This style has been my dream and is really so much a part of my vision. I don't want something that looks similar to other houses. Sorry if this seems silly. My builder did mention about the gas bottles and how they need to see their truck. Good idea between the carports. I wonder if it's cost prohibitive to have them buried at the front? Can I ask what the total sqm is for both upstairs and down?