Thank you everyone for your comments. We live outside Christchurch, and the house was badly damaged in the quakes here. The post-quake rebuild process could safely be described as slightly chaotic, and the house company I am using are located some distance away (like on the North Island), which is why discussion with the architect has been - em - less than optimal. The architect threw something at me to get me out of my comfort zone I think and this is what's freaking me out! I think the windows on the east side are to come (no reason for them not being there), and probably a skylight in the kitchen roof. The section of land is narrow and steep, (this is a historic port town and with access from the south (where the view is); there is no parking other than on the street (south). Patricia - the laundry doesn't sit right with me either! Looks a bit like it's been glued on the side of the hosue. And it is too small as it is to store coats, shoes etc. This is the access to the back garden - thus the door (also means muddy boots can be dumped when we come in!). Entering a house through a living room is very common over here, especially where space is at a premium (small section, small house footprint).

So you dont think we need bench top on both sides?

Hi Cole, I have done a quick sketch for you. This is hard without talking to you directly and learning about your situation, the rest of the house and your requirements. My thought was having a separate space for a tv/ reading lounge facing south and the dining living lounge facing north. the kitchen would connect it all. This is pretty rough and i think you have to double check your room measurements as they are not adding up?! Please let me know if you have any questions or want to explore other options? See picture attached. Cheers Gunnar

my suggestion would be to move the sink, dishwasher and doorways to make space for the double fridge as i can't find any obvious advantage to removing the pantry walls or changing the gas heater location as that makes a good focal point with a wall mounted TV for a new seating area, study nook and kids play area, have a dining area in the old sitting room, use old kitchen doorway for extra storage and lose the side window and move theh lounge door closer to the heater to improve walking path between lounge and kitchen