Thanks for that! Why not submit it for a Houzz article?

Just to confirm I have taken the great ideas presented here as advice only and have no intention to do some dodgy diy reno's. With the exception of a couple of quirky exposed timbers as you can see in my pictures there are no other exposed beams. As you can also see from the pictures there is a large roof space on the right (east) side of the house but the ceilings themselves are flat with a slight dip on the north wall. Based on my own personal experiences I would have to agree with Two's Company that there is a tendency towards rendered brick in WA (although there are still many exposed brick houses in my suburb) while double enclosed double garages are also highly desirable. I would also agree that toilets within the main bathroom and non traditional laundries may be considered unusual by many (but not all). Ensuites with toilets however are still very common. Also due to the nature of our work we would prefer the laundry separated from food/kitchen area. For a 4x2 house it is only around 155m2 excluding carport/alfresco which makes the rooms feel quite cramped, hence the desire to open up the family room. However, as Two's Company suggests we will need to first get a builder/eng in to check load bearing walls etc as this will undoubtedly affect what we can achieve within our budget. Having said that I still excited by many of your ideas and with luck hopefully can work some of them into the budget. Cheers all :)

I'd start with the basics . The fences , which seem to enclose 3 sides , let the place down . I'd go with 4 or 5 10 litre pails of fence stain , in charcoal/black -- I dislike Brown ( too 70's ) but I don't think it would suit anyway . Then some colour , and 1 focal piece . I'm in NZ , so not sure plants to recommend , but maybe a palm ( or two or three of differing heights ) as your focal point , and some colourful semi-tropical plants . The existing garden along the fence probably stain the low wall in the same charcoal black , to tie in with the fence , but add a lot of light / white pebbles , shells and similar -- any coloured plants or flowers will be highlighted . Then , depending on budget , build in a barbeque , with paving . off the covered area , and add a sail shade -- set up so it isn't over the barbeque area , and use a brighter colour canvas -- that yellow 'box' that is in the 3rd picture of yours stands out -- a sail in that colour , or mid orange or red , a reasonably vibrant green or blue , or even a neutral grey , will add colour but also distract the eye from the rectangular shape of your house . From there -- do what you like / can afford . The sky is the limit -- playground , pool , spa , water feature , sculpture -- wherever your taste takes you .

I was thinking of options , and basically Kates sketch would be along the lines of what I am thinking . Just some obvious things -- you have a chimney -- do you want that in your Master ? You want doors off the front Den -- no matter what you do , that will cost reasonable $$$ , as you will have to alter the framing , maybe electrical , as well as obviously cutting through bricks . Could 'just' having screens and maybe even a small roof creating a courtyard in front , using the existing front door and probably creating a better entry experience if done right , be better than that ? Same with things like having an external door from a laundry/mud room ? If that was important , personally I'd incorporate that as part of the new addition at the rear -- its way easier to design framing and walls with a door included , as opposed to modifying a 60 year old building . Basically , we could question every room , and that is what the designer should have done . Without asking , I'd come up with a totally different design , but it would be what I would do , and maybe wouldn't be what you want . And as far as adding upstairs , again personally I wouldn't . Engineering wise its difficult , matching styles is difficult , and cost will be quite a bit more per metre than adding on the rear , but you may feel the advantages outweigh the costs -- only you know .