Hi Mike and Emma Hope you are slowly but surely getting there... may I make some comments/suggestions that you may or not take on board, but hopefully it may at least give you some ideas/options... Going through a new build ourselves at the moment, and for what it's worth, here's what I personally think: A. Work with what you've got: - additional plumbing work, gas work etc may not be necessary and (particularly gas) can be costly when you're trying to work around existing walls, floors, etc, and as much as possible utilise the existing connections... after whatever you can save here and there, you can spend on nicer cabinetery, gadgets, finishes, etc :) B. Avoid unnecessry structural work: - removing the kitchen/living wall is a must (more space, light, etc) but removing the laundry wall is an unncessary added cost (may even require costly additional strutural support) - putting up a plastered wall on the other hand is inexpensive, allows you to redefine different zones and relocate doors/openings where required (*note: avoid hinged doors in small spaces as you have to allow for wasted space to open door - suggest cavity sliding doors, easy to incorporate in a new wall) C. Don't sacrifice functionality and natural light for design - love full height floor to ceiling cabinets, very much on trend... but they also tend to bring the walls in, which you want to avoid in an already small space... they will also block out more natural ligtht from the only window to the living and breakfast bench (meals area)... not to mention seated guests would be staring at a cabinet tower and fridge - on the other hand a walk in pantry (not that much of a walk in a small space) is also very much on trend, provides more storage and... as entertaining guests in open plan livings tends to happen more in the kitchen... it provides a good hiding place for unsightly items, including frigges... (an underbench bar fridge in the kitchen can easily keep those beers cold... though do consider that means sacrificing some cabinet space) - constantly wiping off the floors from dripping wet dishes across the kictchen from the sink to the dishwaser on the other side bench would personally drive me mad after a while... the dishwasher can easily be connected to the existing sink water and waste points through the cabinerty... any half decent plumber should be able to do that... ON THAT NOTE... or should I say those notes... I know I got a bit carried away :) ... if it were me, here's an idea of what I would try to achieve ...

lots and lots of good comments. but it all depends on your goal. i recommend to my young clients to very clearly identify what your goal is ie. just moving out for fun, to live in to next, to create financial security and to have your mo ey work hard for you. And the earlier you start, the better. So, My people start on a planned path that steps them through the process to get to their goals. so, for you, you have to consider the current economy and laws, and your financial situation. At the end of the day, you must buy the right property in the right area at the right price and theres ways of working this out easily. Remember, buying and investment property is about one thing only: Money. And if it isnt makingyou money eitber by capital growth or rent do t do it.

Yes- that is a very good question!!! I've been trawling Australian suppliers for months for something different. I also need Appliance Pulls (for integrated DW and Fridge), which there is very limited choice of here. Everything here is same-same China made mass imports. I literally ordered my hardware last night from: www.knobbrands.com They do ship to Australia. At least I hope so!! I've ordered them and paid! Without knowing your budget, you could check out www.englishtapware.com.au They stock some high-end UK brands. I did go and view them in store and they are beautiful handles/knobs and fabulous quality. I couldn't justify the $500/each for appliance pulls when I need 4!. It was a real dilemma, I hate it when I see something I love and absolutely can't have it!! I tried some on-line vendors in the UK, and had no luck with them either. I can update you when my handles arrive.

Hi RePete, another app for drafting is Home Sweet Home which is free. My experience has been that some of the really good architects are happy to share their ideas when they visit as they enjoy the creative process so much. Eg Williams Burton met with us years ago (we are still figuring out what to do!) - and I was very impressed. We didn't use them as they are very fastidious so their builds take a long time and we can't cope with that but they do some amazing work on character homes in particular and although people think of them as only doing very expensive jobs, I am aware that they have also done some cheaper jobs where the project has got their interest. You could try talking to them and a few others from that "tier". I can't remember if we paid for the initial meeting, but if we did it was only a very small amount. I would seek as many views as possible (including here), keep trawling the net and pinterest as well as Houzz, look at lots of magazines etc, go to every open home that is vaguely like your style and ask the real estate agent who designed/built it... (hmmmm this is why we haven't started building yet after 8 years...) As Ok says, probably the only person that can determine what accommodation is required is you, so make that thought process a parallel one to looking at pictures. Good luck.