I feel like I'm making loads of decision but still not really getting anywhere. There is so much to think about! Spotted some lovely toggle light switches so I've already bought them. I know where the light switches are going but its a case of figuring out the best places to put the plug sockets because we have so many in my mums house but we still run out! We've opted for a few USB sockets too so at least if we are charging phones and laptops, we are freeing space for other things too. In terms of kitchen layout, the suggestion of the seating in the bay window is great but because that would mean the kitchen would have to go at the other end, we've decided against this. It would work, and would probably be the best option once the horrible extension is knocked down but at the moment, the extension blocks all the sun light on that side so the kitchen would be very dim and dark for a while. The extension is something we are saving for and is more likely to be done in 4-5 years time so I'm not sure it makes sense to be in a dark corner for that length of time. We've had the house a month tomorrow and so far it has been ripping the house apart. January is the month we put everything back! Super excited. Plumber, heating engineer and builders are all put to the task in January. New floor in the kitchen, wall removed and built up again to accommodate the new window so that we can have units underneath, first fix plumbing, first fix heating and boiler installation. All other windows to be installed. Hoping that guttering and chimneys can be looked at too! We have a chimney breast on almost every wall which I'm sure was great for heating years ago but as they are no longer used, they cause so many damp issues! I bought paint tester pots today - I have no idea why, we are nowhere near ready for that but it just felt nice to buy something pretty and cosmetic rather than look at insulation and damp proofing. P.S; any suggestions on obscure glass for the bathroom and hallway? I've been given a huge list of options but unsure as to what to choose. Thinking just Contora or Arctic?

You are all amazing! This is really helping our thinking process. We have considered banquette seating and certainly a bench, at times we might need to squash family around the table. Thinking extra storage underneath it. The peninsula isn't feeling so bad, Minnie the pictures are great. Like the shelving in the corner and can still have a run of tall cupboards. Manabout, wondering if the island is going to look too big in the center. Feel a bit scared a repeating my friend's mistake! The room that is going to be the kitchen has to have walls removed to make one room but i can plot this out in the first floor living room, newspaper on the floor, just to try it out. Worrying a little about the table position, how that would feel if it isn't centered on the doors. I am quite 'symmetrical' and 'matchy matchy' when I organize and plan. Finding the new eclectic styling (which I do love) a bit of a struggle! Consensus is definitely the 'kitchen' in that end of the room, rather than the bigger space currently planned for dining?

@rinked Thanks, good idea - i'll see what it looks like later. @Suzanne C thank you for sharing your experience and pictures. We'll be going out for quotations once our planning is granted so i'll make sure i get a cost for wet UFH. I think it would be the preferred route with the warmth underfloor and extra wall space is always good in open plan extensions. @minipie Thank you. The software really is great once you get to grips with it. We've started to obtain budget costs on the roof lights and one company has offered to take us to see a few recently completed projects which should hopefully give us some inspiration and allow us to gain some feedback from previous clients. I'll aim to get at least one opening roof light after all the advice received on this board. Thank you for sharing your experience. I'll look into the small radiator in the bathroom. Good idea. The extract routes are pretty easy as the kitchen hood is on an external wall, as is the utility. The WC fan will follow the existing route above the utility rooms ceiling. Not sure on the subfloor as not taken up any flooring so far but the house was built around 2003 so you'd expect a pretty thick solid concrete slab so it might not be as easy as excavating in an older property.

In the first instance write to the architect to ask for a refund. State your reasons which would be primarily that their product was not fit for purpose because it did not meet your budget, it did not meet building regs and because there were inconsistencies between what was discussed at concept stage and what was delivered it has failed to meet expectations. The delays and their failure to understand the local planning environment were also disappointing. Should you get nowhere with them then you can go to their Governing body (you can tell from their website who they are affiliated with). You can only do this route after you have demonstrated efforts to resolve it with the practice directly. You may not be successful though as it may well be that their design was fit for purpose and your perception of it not being as per your brief could be subjective.