Thanks so much for this post sheilapillai . I didn't think of that when considering adding sliding doors in living room. Didn't do that yet, hence is why i thank you. This is a tricky question. On one hand i want sliding glass doors to accept as much natural light as possible (solar heat), but not too big as too lose our furnace heat after the Sun sets

Thanks for the suggestions. Barn doors are the general idea, hanging off the exposed truss above - but there's no wall space on one side. We were planning on stacking the doors all to one side and into a specially built "pocket" when we want to open up the space. Then we discovered the designer was planning on putting a track in the floor, and we weren't so keen on that - not so nice looking and also a trip hazard.

I think what you have done is amazing - so fresh and so modern - it is a great example to people like myself who have an old kitchen with good bones but no longer modern. So many people spend far too much money ripping out usable kitchens, that function well but they think they need to get the new and latest, often just to keep up with the "Jones". You have done an amazing job without the huge cost of replacing all your cabinetry. WELL DONE.

These houses were designed to look good from the street, regardless of what the orientation was for the Sun. Everything depends on your budget and how far your prepared to go. A friend's house in Queenstown faced the street, the toilet and bathroom had the best view of the lake and the Sun. They got a house removal Coy in, jacked it up put it on the truck drove out and turned it around and reconnected all the services. It then faced the North and West great views and warmth, doubled its value in 3 days!. I replaced my storage water cylinder with a outside gas one, picked up enormous space in our laundry. Another tip is to draw up your "dream" plan, then overlay it over the existing and see what you can really do, your then not influenced by what is already there, and often get a much better insight and removed from the existing. Good luck, its very rewarding and make it fun!