Ozbern: we had a similar dilemma, lovely backyard and then they started tearing down bungalows and building four story townhouses all around us. I built a single depth pergola along the back property line, the beauty of this is not only the privacy, but it brings the scale of the yard down to make it feel more intimate when we are outside. We also added a 10' x 10' (little over three meters) pergola right up against the house where we had a wall of windows. Will try to find that photo too. We have coral vine now growing in it. Dies in winter, comes back in spring. You can always do more contemporary details if this is too casual.

This is where the kitchen is going to be. Where my husband is will be counter top at that height. with a big wide counter top to sit under. on the back wall double door fridge a metre gap. 2 wall ovens then a sliding door where the ladder is. A scullery. Behind my husband to the side of him a sink the cooker then space. Where the big flat plank is on the ground (ish) will be the movable island. you can see a taster of the stone wall which will be on both sides of the entrance hallway, the flooring will look very similar to this http://carpetdiscounters.co.nz/product.aspx?product_id=441 . You may note the steel next to my husband on that side. it also needs to be treated. Thank you very much

Kwila deckling, Travertine stone walling stone and paving

The first couple of questions I'd want to know would be -- how much do you watch TV , and how often do you just sit chatting ? Also , what do the double lines between the 'drawing' and 'tv lounge' , and the 'ent lobby' and 'tv lounge' signify ? It doesn't appear to be a step , nor does it show as a fixed door ? Anyway , depending on priorities ( such as keeping an eye on kids while cooking ; or hiding the spouse when visitors arrive haha ) I would consider swapping the drawing and tv lounge , and put the TV on the solid wall in the 'front' room ( now called the TV lounge ) , that way you can spread 3 or 4 chairs and couches around the walls , similar to the existing plans , but to me the other bonus would be you can have suitable plants in pots in the 'open' area , and they'd be seen if you arrange the chairs in what is now the drawing room to suit -- basically , make that the area you sit and talking in , and make the plants part of the view and the conversation . There MAY even be the possibility of having a main TV in the 'new' front tv lounge , and still do a smaller 27 or 32 inch TV on a bracket in the 'old' tv lounge -- best of both worlds , and even the possibility of 2 seperate channels , without people heading to their bedrooms ( again , that depends on who is living there , and how 'dependent' they are on TV ) , but basically for a few hundred dollars ( if you have to buy another new TV ) you have another option ? Just a thought or two . . . . . . .