@Connie & melbourne_mum, I do feel so much for both of you and I too echo your sentiments Connie. If it were me, I would get this forum dilemma fixed, as I mentioned in my earlier post but as Midesign0401 has already mentioned, a solution is available to put all the problems behind melbourne_mum and that's good really. As for your plumber, Connie, it's not a great start with so much more to do before you get your reno completed, what with the builder, plasterer, painter etc... etc.... I would suggest to ask around the neighbourhood or even further afield, local supermarket or post office and see if others have had recent reno's and if they're happy with their respective tradies, then you could book them following a good report giving you a much better chance to be satisfied and more especially not screwed again!!! Best of luck to both you ladies. Cheers, Barbara

Hi there I think that adding in wooden decorations and real/fake plants can help bring a bit of life in to your space. And the tones of plants and wooden/nature looking items work really well with neutral colours. They can be both cheap and expensive depending on your taste so finding a bargain or something to suit your needs should be quite easy. If you want a more elegant look marble decorations even if small can be a great way to add a look of class. Candles are also a great way to add in some nice smells to invite people into your home. Keep in mind that sometimes less is more. Don't overdo it and have some fun! It's nice to shop for your home.

I would ask the builder about the best solution for the windows in the new ens and laundry as it will depend on the wall structure and waterproofing requirements but it should be more cost effective to install two windows side by side in the old laundry window opening as the windows would need to be ready to install as the old Window is removed and new dividing walls installed ..and, as i would be reluctant to remove the external laundry door, i suggest a tall storage cabinet against the bathroom wall with the ironing board on the external wall and if you decide to lose the door add extra storage in front of the door

I have a separate guest toilet without windows using a ceiling extractor fan - not a problem. I also have internal cavity sliding doors to bathrooms and toilets and love how they give extra space and options regarding placement of items. Another location alternative for you may be between the cinema room and the kitchen, depending on what you had planned for that extra space in the kitchen. Two metres is a wide hallway, if that is what it is? Ours is 1.3 which is considered wide (as we need to accommodate a wheelchair which has to turn into doorways). An advantage of a very wide hallway is it gives room for extra furniture placement such as bookshelves, linen or other cupboards if needed. I don't see a linen cupboard or pantry cupboard in your plans. Something else to think about is future proofing - try to cover future possibilities with regard to function, as making structural or fittings changes later can be more expensive, and may come at a time when you can least afford it (e.g. injured, disabled, children, aging or other such people visiting your home). Lives change, sometimes over time, sometimes in an instant, and suddenly the doors are not wide enough (especially the toilet door!), or the walls are not strong enough for a weight-bearing rail, and a host of other things. We put 900cm doors as a minimum and it makes life a lot easier, including moving furniture in and out. Universal Design principles are worth a look. Sadly these considerations are currently considered special or optional, although there are moves to change that, so that builders and architects will consider these things as standard.