Hello James, Just a thought here and a very quick one!... If you have a galley arrangement you don't cut the room in half. You could then have a different kind of island/eating area. I love the island that morphs into dining if there is not a degree of separation to have two separate entities.. . The room spatially will feel more open, but of course it must be something you're happy with. For the seating area consider a chaise longue as if two don't sit, one can recline and gaze into the garden! If you were to make the side return ie follow along from the external wall (Living room) you could move the kitchen back in line with this. It's not a massive extension possibly 70 or 80 wide ie the doorway width approx.. It allows the access way to be left alone and thus you can still walk down past your kitchen.. There's no courtyard but you have a better flow through from front to back.. It's simpler perhaps but sometimes this is the best solution to a problem.. The living room could possibly have the angled wall removed to open up the living and kitchen area.. RSJ or some structural addition if the wall is load bearing and you'd need consent most probably.. Structural engineers, but the architect can advise you.. if you liked the idea.. It means you lose the door to the alleyway from the living room but I don't feel this is a gr8 loss.... You could move (or rather extend backwards to the new rear wall) the loo to my suggested new "rear" wall position boxed in from either side of course and with pocket doors and a small (read tiny) cloakroom in front accessed from hall side... so the door isn't opening directly into hall/kitchen/living but has two doors. So the end of the living room is squared off and forms one side of the new loo position. It's a minimal move. You increase the flow through from the living room by opening this out more and even a smaller amount would benefit. and then you can start the run (Kitchen) from back of downstairs loo with larder cupboard for example so there is again a degree of separation from downstairs loo and what is going to be kitchen units.. I also like to plan large monoliths like double height fridge freezers or larders in corners, which doesn't impede the view! Sliding or concertina doors at the back or my specific favourite .... Bring the outdoors in and visa vera! It's rather a more simplified design but I think it creates flow which I like the idea of in a home such as yours. You could put in wooden french doors if you wanted to separate front living from rear living but still keep them with the aesthetic feel of one room.. Don't lose the fireplaces if they're lovely they might be worth keeping! The other alternative is to square off the loo, do the small side extension as mentioned above and then you have two walk ways into kitchen from hall side and from kitchen side.. Then you'd have the FF or larder in the middle on the Loo wall .. This arrangement isn't open like my first idea.. but it would save you moving the loo in question.. : )) These are on a huge scale I know but they're to give you some inspiration about how to handle the door from kitchen to garden! Think garage style pulley system.. This kind of solution makes for a spectacular entrance to your garden and beyond!

Hello Jodie, Most welcome, I hope you saw my extension visuals too which give you a range of ideas and I like the transparency and style of the frames which lend to a feeling of open space.... The day beds are really gr8 in a room where it needs to be versatile so gr8 minds!.. The cream daybed is from ikea.. if you mean the second whiteish one with bolsters.. Something similar can be found at Loaf.. I do really like the Ikea one though as it's woven which is very nice texturally and has a really good aesthetic. and the last one which is my other favourite.. .. I think it would be rather good to have a shower element and so if not the wet room idea, you can still have something fantastic as a shower enclosure if you choose the enclosure wisely. Also you may be able to incorporate the architecture of the space in that you may be able to add a screen or something if the size fits for a walk in or other enclosed shower with single screen.. With regard to the extension you have.. you may be able to adapt it architecturally but if you like the idea of more glass then it might be better to replace altogether but of course dependent on what you choose and decide on an architectural level with the plans etc.. Budget a consideration etc.. You could though take out the existing windows and replace them with doors or bifold or sliding panels.. The arches internally are quite easy to convert to a squared off finish ie where they are situated such as the windows and doorways.. : ))

It’s a fantastic size and a lot of functions are taking place on the plan. We would start by looking at all those functions and question each of them to find out how each individual part needs to work and how it can improve your experience within the house. And importantly what is missing? Example questions, Utility. Would it benefit from direct access to outside for taking washing out to dry? Back door. Do you require a dirty entrance for muddy boots, or a dog for example. Cloaks. Would a cloak room in the entrance hall be a benefit to you? WC. It’s open to the dining area. Would more privacy maybe better? Study. It has a great view of the garden but, is separated from the living area by the Utility. Is it privacy you need or would you prefer to have to door open to engage with people in the living space? Kitchen. Would you like this to be more open to the day room or do you prefer individual rooms? Kitchen. Do you spend a lot of time in the Kitchen, would you like to have more views of the garden from there? The list goes on...... We find that 3D modelling also really helps explore the space and provides a much more informative view of what the finished house will look like. It allows you to see the light coming in, views out, what the space and volume feels like, and how spaces connect with each other. We would be very happy to discuss this in more detail with you. Just let me know. Chris

hi I think either way can work well as long as it well thought out and flows correctly. in terms of who to hire, I think that depends on what involvement you want in you overall design. if you hire a good architect you will end up with a well planned home and probably a better overall design than an interior designer will provide. either way you will need to manage them to ensure that the design doesn't exceed the budget you have for the scheme. make sure you get something that you want and be open to alternative options. 100k is not a huge sum to spend on this work and if designed well it can add more in terms of value back to your home plus you get the benefit of a nice home to live in and enjoy . one last point, make sure you select a builder that is reliable. the construction period is the time when you will be und we r the most of stress and if you have a good builder you will have a pain free experience. choosing badly can result in lots if issues. if your money can stretch employ a Project Manager to safeguard your money and ensure you are not overcharged for things. best Rowland