It was pricey but half of it was for planning. Yes I think my mum was hoping to get the whole kitchen done on the first quote ie including kitchen, floor and appliances! I haven't used the links no. Here's something that will help re finding an architect https://www.architecture.com/FindAnArchitect/Assets/Documents/Workingwithanarchitectforyourhome.pdf and another one on costs http://www.architect-yourhome.com/cost-estimator/ there's also an online architect service that a few people have recommended, will try and find the name of them. You can also look in the pro section on Houzz for architects in your area as hopefully they will also include reviews. It will also be key to have the kitchen and bathroom designed properly (and the overall space). The architect can probably do that or speak to someone like Karen at OnePlan ( above) who can probably also help with some cost saving ideas. I LOVE those first doors, would much rather have those than bifolds personally!

A very small amendment to Whizzywig's plan, as the Utility doesn't need to be quite that wide. However, obviously it's cheaper to leave the wall where it is than put in a support and move it. But, removing the entrance gives you a front to back view when coming in . As always everything depends on budget and drainage. I'd also, make the Conservatory bigger, remove the twin wall roof, replace with a proper roof with Roof Lantern for loads of light. You may need to improve the outside walls on the Conservatory too, as they most probably are not cavity. By opening up you need to ensure that the walls are adequately insulated or you will be very cold!

Hi Suzanne, Here are a few ideas that will give you everything you want with the least impact on your budget. Please understand that I'm only working with a floorplan and a small write-up of preferrences, which limits some of the imput without pictures. Starting from left of your floorplan and working our way to the right: Current Office = new 2nd reception Taking advantage of your southfacing garden with best views: Convert current office into the second reception room/snug/tv den/second closed off living area that you wanted. Knock down wall between office and breakfast room. Add wall - deviding breakfast area in two - this will give you a triple aspect room, taking advantage of the light and garden views & access. Depending on preferrences and your fence line, change windows to double doors and-or enlarge window space on south-facing side to add concertina doors out onto the garden. You mentioned you didn't need an office downstairs - put added a desk in this room if you keep that window as a window rather than convert to doors in case it is helpful. But of course, you can configure your furniture in any of the rooms for how it works best with your lifestyle. This will be a narrow room - hence a snug, garden room, extra tv lounge. A chaise lounge type sectional will give you the snug seating along with a chair or two. However, if you do want to do any extention work, you could think of adding that to the left side of your home to make this room wider and more all-purpose. Breakfast Room = new 2nd reception lounge & utility/hallway As already suggested above, divide the room into two to gain a triple aspect snug/enclosed lounge board up the doorway, or put wall where the doorway is not impeeded (as shown). Convert the rest of the Breakfast room into a tidy (appliances hidden behind cabinets or closet doors) utility area. You'll want to make this room look more like a hallway when not in use as a utility, connecting the rest of the house to your second enclosed lounge. Leave the wall and door between the current kitchen & the current breakfast area as is - which will hide this utility area when in use and muffle any noise from appliances. Garage = Garage you mentioned your partner wanted to keep the garage. moving it seems silly as doing so would possibly knock-out some of your light & views. also by keeping this as is, you will get the benefit of having access to the rest of the house via the garage & 2nd reception lounge, rather than having to go outside. Kitchen/Dinning Room/Hallway = Open Plan Kitchen / Casual Dinning Placing the kitchen cabinetry from the front current dining room window - along the wall shared with the garage & on the opposite wall traveling out into an extended countertop/breakfast bar. This will create a galley shaped kitchen that you can use a number of triangle patterned work stations to make this kitchen functional & beautiful. Put your casual dining area where the kitchen now is and add double doors to take full advantage of the views and the days you'd like to have the doors open onto the garden. Enjoy the double aspect light & open plan space. Keep your privacy at the front through the new kitchen with appropriate window treatment or frosted glass treatment if necessary Living Room = Open plan living room / dining room + kitchen / casual dining By placing a support in and partially removing the wall going from the new open plan kitchen / casual dining into the current living room, you will get the open plan lounge - kitchen - dining that you want. Open the wall from almost to the door next to the downstairs w/c to almost to the stairs (where the current living room door is now) (as shown). The current living room is very large, and can house both a living room - lounge area and a more formal dining room (if that is what you want) or a hobby space - music area or other ??? (there are many possibilities). Keep as is = Porch, Downstairs w/c, stairs with closet underneath for storage Porch gives you extra insulation, privacy & storage Downstairs W/C allows you not to have to move & install new large toilet waste plumbing which is often a higher end budget item Closet underneath stairs - storage! (cleaning stuff like mop & vacuum or coats or whatever) Stairs - by not changing the layout or location of the stairs, you won't have to do costly renovations upstairs (just do any cosmetic updating you desire instead as you didn't mention wanting to do major changes to the upstairs) and can use your budget more wisely downstairs. This plan should give you everything you said you wanted on your list and give you the most bang for your buck without needless spending -- or at the very least give you a few new ideas to jump off from. I've added a picture here. Sorry so un-professional. I am retired, so just keeping my hand in. Best wishes & good luck!

Thank you Eulinea Ltd. Yes the utility is far from the kitchen but I am happy with that as the laundry does not need to be near the kitchen. The architect has had to fit the stairs in there due to existing steels which would be costly to move. His first idea was to move the stairs to the left of the dining room as you mentioned and that would work well as the stairs to the loft will be above that location, however he has since changed the plans as he felt this would take us too far over budget and was trying to scale back the costs for us. I have no idea how much it costs to move a staircase. It is tricky as we can’t get a true idea of costs until the detailed drawings have been done but we don’t want to then have to redo the drawings if the costs are too high!