Thanks Mel. We'll see what we can do to make the rumpus enclosed - it's probably more of a "man cave" at the moment :) Grandad had a dining table in his current place (which is bigger) and got rid of it because he never used it. He also wants more bench space than he currently has. So, this was a deliberate choice rather than a compromise due to lack of space. You've reminded me now that someone did warn us earlier in the design process about the back and forth between wardrobe and bathroom becoming annoying over time. We don't currently have an en suite so it feels wonderfully convenient for us by comparison. However, that feeling will change if we realise it could have been even better. We did have the en suite off the wardrobe in some designs but have been warned this can lead to dampness in your clothes no matter how well ventilated the bathroom is (especially in Auckland's humidity). Would love to hear people's experiences of this configuration - good and bad. On top of that, there are lovely private bush views to the south so we've tried to make the most of those.

I am wanting to get a pool put in (not too big ~7.5m x4m) - the section slopes off quite a bit and the height of the house is about a story above the ground at its highest point. Im just after some ideas for layout and how to get a good flow from the deck above - there are 2 bigger decks (covered and uncovered plus the wrap around). The covered deck which has bbq and table and chairs is above the green water tank and connects with the kitchen nicely (id quite like to hide that tank somehow), the open deck connects with the lounge area inside. Long term plan is to have a covered space with outdoor kitchen, bathroom and space for dining and lounge settings beside the pool. It has a great view of the ocean from the house ( and the section below up to meter or 2 from the fence line). there is septic tank in line with the green water tank (so don't want to get too close to that). This is in the tropics, so shade and shelter is a must - the sun follows the open deck across to the covered deck side and the house is on the west more sheltered side of the island. Any ideas would be appreciated. The last picture is of the house in front, it is very close to the fence line, but is a lot lower down.

windows in master bedroom need to allow views and privacy and much as i would prefer bed on NE this keeps the bed in view towards and from family room so prefer bed on south wests wall and small sliding doors pushed towards north side of room with tall narrow window beside sliding door and highlight window for light with privacy and wall space for chest of drawers...acknowledging theta the pwdr doesn't have a window but my suggested arrangement uses less total space more efficiently and is better for older kids and long stay visiting parents (more people can use the various options at the same time) and a small ventilating skylight will exhaust and brighten the toilet and vanity area ...the wide door into the lounge can be a stacker or stable door so you need to investigate local options (and everything is expensive unless it does what you want...we always use solid core doors that can be ten times the price of a basic hollow core door but love them so we economise elsewhere) and barn door between entry and family would be OK as long as you like them and it doesn't compromise lounge doors but could look ok if both doors are the same style and different widths...and location of dishwasher is personal and if you have already been unhappy with sink in main kitchen then have it in the scullery...main advantage of my suggested kitchen location is that it's closer to the front and the family area and external doors and the pantry uses the central space that can be much better illuminated with another ventilating skylight instead of a tiny external window and noisy exhaust fan

My suggestion -- start with a 'base' -- do the fence in charcoal , the retaining wall almost looks brick but I'm guessing it is wood , so maybe go the same grey as that tank wall or whatever it is , and do the white pipe the same ? And then decide the purpose -- a bbq , a table and chairs , a love swing , a spa pool , a water feature , a traditional garden , a rock garden , a desert scene , an egyptian garden -- you get the idea . One or all of those , or whatever suits YOU .