The style is less important than getting the proportion, flow and eco efficiency correct. You can build something on a tight budget but to feel happy with the outcome you need to decide on your key features - must haves. Put more resource into these areas and look for savings elsewhere. Many new homes fall short because they try to have every current trend which often makes them dated. What you chose to do should depend on the purpose of the home and how long you intend to be there. Do the basics well - consider how you live your life and the important traffic flows. Less is more- a smaller square foot will cost less and allow for better quality fittings. Features that make a statement but are often after thoughts are a good front door, an attractive kitchen slash back and an interesting bathroom and tapware. Good use of colour costs no more and shifts the house out of the ordinary, boring zone. Being careful about cladding choices really effects the impression of a home even before you enter the front door - don't be tempted by the ugly end of the line brick special - you will never recoup the saving in resale. The placement, proportion and shape of windows makes a huge difference to the look of an exterior it can either contemporise and make a house look dated. Remember that big windows cost more to furnish and may make it difficult to heat or cool the house. If going smaller with windows be clever about the placement and look to what views they will offer. If doing blinds etc - look on line - you can save fortune but always get samples first and buy one for a small place e.g. Laundry to check you are happy first. Dont succumb to stumpy curtains - almost always drapes should be floor length otherwise they look cheap. If you can't afford good drapes buy the lining first and use double tracks and put the ones you want up when you can afford them. Roof lines do influence build cost with raked [ sloping ]ceilings being more expensive but why can take the house from being average to interesting. This could be one of your features. It may also be worth considering a renovation to allow time to gather funds to do what pleases you. Something i wouldn't bother with is the current trend for a butlers pantry - just a fad and often a costly one - if you want a separate area better to have a large sliding or cupboard with shelves and a bench top rather than separate room. it kills the interaction with the rest of the house. I would definitely go for a separate laundry - needed for storage and hygienic purposes. Laundries in kitchens are not nice from a buyers perspective. Approach a local group building company and look at their house plans and costings- they will be able to advise where the costs and savings are. Through bulk purchase they are often able to deliver what you want but be sure to personalise for your needs and preferences. I hope this helps

For me, it would be colour. Maybe a feature wall for walls around dining, or living, pick colour from your favoured painting, and use same and other colours from pictures for cushions or even some occasional furniture in the brightest colour - I saw this done beautifully in a tarted up house for display - a small seat/coffee table painted and upholstered in an orange mix, which was taken from the splashback (everything else was neutral) and also in a throw for lounge.

Academy Tiles are always my first point of call for tiles that are not stocked by the generic tile retailers. The domed finish you speak of is by the build-up of glaze on a flat circular porcelain tile. The glaze towards the edge of the tile is thinner than the glaze towards the middle which gives a subtle "domed" appearance. Although I wouldn't be using penny round tiles in a 1969 retro house if I was trying to be authentic as they are too contemporary. Here is the link to Academy Tiles: http://www.academytiles.com.au/product.php?product_id=82742&stream=colour&category_name=Ceramic+and+Porcelain+Mosaics&series_name=Glazed+Penny+Rounds If Academy Tiles is out of your price range (they are premium tiles) then google "glazed penny round tiles" Best of luck, Dr Retro of Dr Retro House Calls

I can't see any red haha ! Each to their own , but it makes me keen to carry on being my own designer . The kitchen I would have done with a black island , and red glass shades , or orange or teal or whatever matches the chairs and art in the dining room , at the very least . Some colour basically , and appliances to match on the bench . And more colour/bling in the splashback too . Just 1 small example that shows we are all different .