I can't see the images but separate bathrooms would be my preference. A simply larger ensuite is fine but you still have to fill the room with stuff. When my wife and I first lived together it was a two bedroom, 2.5 bath. The closets were small so I just took the 2nd bedroom and also made the ajoining bathroom, mine. It was the best. No staggering of waking up to take turns, and we all poop! But at least it's not in each others face. Over the years, function over style will win hands down. I don't know the size of your closet(s) but expanding that (even a his and hers) would also go along way. The alfresco could be nice but only if you have great weather year-round. If you have a porch / deck / etc, then there's no need. You still need to go to the kitchen to get your coffee / wine / drink. It's not practical.

Love those ideas thanks Pazz. Thanks for your time on it. There is a window along the wall I have marked at 4m. However there are no windows along the wall marked 7mtr, as we are right up close to the neighbours. All natural light will only be from either end of the rooms (ensuite and other end) I like your ideas there and it's definitely a start. I wonder if there is a way to have light from the courtyard come through to the walk in robe and bedroom. I am imagining being able to see the courtyard from the bedroom but can't quite figure out how that could work? I had thought of having the walk in robe up the 4m end, but this would then limit any natural light coming in from that window. I do love what you have suggested with widening the room and doing away with the closed off lobby. Thanks again for taking time to look at this for me.

I wouldn't. If having a master suite were important to me I would buy a modern home that has one. The thing about historic homes is that they typically had three equal sized bedrooms. It's part of the character of the home. If you combine two squareish bedrooms you will end up with a strangely shaped rectangular room that's not really all that useful. Particularly as you mention they both have french doors that go to a verandah. Those doors pretty much limits what you can do with the rooms. You will be trying to either preserve the symmetry of the doors or build a wardrobe wall up close to one and have the whole look of the room thrown off. A heritage home is what it is. It's never going to be a modern home and it's limitations are what people expect when they buy one. The limitation is a traditional floorplan that doesn't necessarily reflect modern lifestyle choices. One conversion that is often done on federations is part of the verandah is built in, and turned into a WIR or ensuite. Many of these homes already have built-in verandah sections so doing so won't necessarily ruin the character. Particularly if you infill them with a nice casement windows and appropriate trims on the outside.

Looks like no downstairs bedroom in the original plan. So a few things that concern me about the practicality of the plan. For such a large home with so many bedrooms and bathrooms and walk-in cupboards and spare/additional spaces surely there are better ways to put it all together. Bedrooms for grandparents, but located upstairs with no future provision for lift. Spare bedroom downstairs which might one day be used permanently, but with no private access to a bathroom, necessitating walking across public areas, and preventing use by others of powder room when someone is showering. Combined laundry pantry puts dirty clothes together with food storage/prep. Home workspace adjacent to kids rumpus room with no noise barrier.