Thanks for the reply - Oh, believe me I have seen every picture google - able (let's pretend that's a word..). I really want to find that blog because it showed the process of the build. The pics on their website show a very lovely finished product - in fact I am definitely stealing a few of those finishing ideas :) Hopefully the blog owner still visits Gardenweb and will see my plea!

I'm not crazy about the exterior. I really dislike the garage-in-front thing, but that's personal opinion. I would absolutely build in brick. It's one of those "you get what you pay for" things. As for the plan, I'd simplify the complicated jigs and jogs around the edge. For example, you could chop the master bedroom off "flat" with the back of the house with no loss of usefulness in the room, yet it'd save money to have a simple flat wall. Since you're questioning whether you want two eating areas, you could do the same thing with the nook: Just chop it off flat, and you'd be left with enough space for a small booth or table for two. I don't mind entering the house through the laundry, but I would want another door in that master closet. Why? Because as it is now, you have to tote clean clothes through the bedroom, through the bathroom, and finally into the closet. A door (or even a pass-through) could be placed in such a way that you could go straight into the closet. It'd be worth the loss of those shelves on the end of the closet. The master shower is a very odd shape. Why would you ever want that little weird cubical in the back? I'd chop that off and make it into a tall cabinet or small linen closet. You'd still have a plenty-big shower. You have plenty of space in the kitchen, but it is laid out inefficiently. The sink and refrigerator are very far apart, and the island blocks your way. This could be made much more efficient. The upstairs looks highly adjustable, depending upon how many bedrooms you need and whether you're interested in the bonus room or not. The bathroom towards the front could be built or omitted. You could build as much or as little of this as you want now, and you'd have the space later to expand, if you wish.

Is it common in your area to have most of the bedrooms in the basement? That would be my biggest concern with this plan as it's not common in my area. Homes with that type of layout are difficult to sell. A guest room is fine in the basement here, but not main bedrooms. I think this is a valid concern. I'd also be concerned about all of the corners on this plan. It will add to the cost to build.

It will be expensive to build with all those jigs and jogs. If you do decide to build it, I'd rework the kitchen because right now you have a path through part of the work area to the other bedrooms. Are you also ok with your master bed being up against the wall that would most likely have your tv?