Hi David, Thank You for the additional feedback. You have given us many additional items to consider. I wasn't too concerned about not having a coat closet as it rare here in San Diego to be wearing a coat. It would be nice to have. The pantry system that we really liked was similar to a traditional taller pantry but with a combination of slide out drawers inside of a taller cabinet and with additional racks on the doors. The slide drawers seemed to allow easier access to the rear of each shelf. Does this make sense? We would like to have mainly have shelving in place of upper cabinets to make the room open and lighter. We would like to have one upper cabinet to the right of the sink that will hold glassware. We also are considering pushing out the kitchen a small bit to allow deeper drawers near the L. A kitchen designer we spoke with suggested that deeper drawers up to 30" deep cabinet will provide for a lot of good accessible storage otherwise not available. In an average-size kitchen, this is equivalent to three additional base cabinets. The designer also told us that the deeper cabinets will allow appliance storage on the counter-top for frequently used items and still leave useful working counter-top depth. We liked the idea of having a detached barn style garage and we may also not build this immediately. It will likely be built to a lower standard. If we can avoid HVAC inside of it that would be great as it will add additional costs. We have also looked into a mini-split system for the garage. These units are not very popular here, but seem to work well... No Teens yet, we are young couple, but limiting escape routes may be a good idea to consider in the future. Hopefully they don't want to escape! Unfortunately, we will likely have high energy costs during the summer and fall. We would like to reduce the energy usage by building with efficient walls and ceilings (R-40+) and deep overhangs on the more exposed sides of the house. The house will be positioned so that the entrance faces west. Here are aerial images of the lot. We will plan and wire for solar so that the house is "solar ready" but likely not be able to afford to install it. We had not really worried about privacy in the master as we will have significantly more room than where we live now....But privacy is something to consider. We wanted to have a Fireplace both inside and outside, and were wondering if it would make sense to have it located where it could serve the great room and from other side the outdoor living space. I am not certain if it makes sense. Thanks Again for your feedback. Aerials showing orientation posted below .

When we bought this house 30 years ago this month, it had a porte cochere and a second house in the side yard that had a shed like garage. After about five years, we tore down the old house as well as the Porte cochere and built a family room addition with a bedroom and bath and added a two car garage. The garage faces the side street. We park in our garage. Although it is not overly large (24x24), but because it is fairly organized it holds a lot of stuff. We park in it comfortably with an Acadia and a highlander. It also holds: four whitewater kayaks, two bikes, a refrigerator (the beer fridge); the 2 outside trash cans; various paddles, life jackets and boating gear; boating and bike helmets; some camping gear (camp chairs and stoves); three shelving units ( one for tools, one primarily for DH's swift water rescue gear, and one for gardening stuff). Then there are various paint cans, a few sheets of wood, ice chests, etc. When I think of how much we easily store in the garage AND comfortably park there with just a little organization, it boggles my mind that so many homeowners can't park in their own garages -- and I thought we had a lot of stuff! Basements are not common here due to the water table, but is wish we had one, for the tornados. Our drill now is to don our kayak helmets, grab the dog, and huddle in the hallway. It's a study house and could probably withstand a little one (and has) but you're always worried about a big one coming your way. We do have an attic which is good for storage, but we are gradually cleaning it out -- we are on a five year mission to declutter, give away, and simplify before we move to our (yet unbuilt) retirement home in a few years.

I would go for house 1, being able to walk to places is such a plus for me. Where we are now I can walk to the library in about 30 min (40 if the dog gets to sniff and pee on everything). It's another 10 min to get coffee and a donut (since I walked all that way) and too often our dog just isn't up for it. I wish we were a little closer to everything, about 1 mile closer and I'd walk for coffee every Saturday and Sunday. When I was in my 20's I wanted to live on acreage away from everything. Now that I'm in my 40's I like being near people and things. I love sitting on the porch for an hour and seeing 4 or more people/couples walking their dogs, kids, or just themselves. I don't know why, either :) Also, I would get more use out of a bigger garage than a guest house :). I have more toys and tools than out of town guests, and a separate structure is another thing to maintain. Bear in mind that I'm also anti-vacation-home (for us, not for everyone else). And a view is something you enjoy all the time. We aren't even on a hill and we have a view of woods and distant farmland off our back deck. There is something restful and enriching about a view you like (or love). So I would buy house number 1.

Thank you Marti...now I remember the thread. Here are 8 pictures of the den and dining area. I just recently re-decorated this room. Painted the walls Dunmore Cream and the ceilings are SW Muslin. The crown moulding on the ceiling was added several years ago...I just couldn't stand the boring walls, especially since the windows are not trimmed out with moulding either. The beige chairs and the grey ones (next to fireplace) are new and glass cocktail table (all from Bassett). I recovered the sofa with fabric from Bassett. The pictures over the fireplace aren't staying; just needed something there until I decide. I moved some of the pieces around and angled everything to open up the room, and we've really enjoyed the new look. Hope this is what you were looking for! [IMG]http://i697.photobucket.com/albums/vv331/angeldog2009/housepicsforgardenweb017.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://i697.photobucket.com/albums/vv331/angeldog2009/housepicsforgardenweb013.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://i697.photobucket.com/albums/vv331/angeldog2009/housepicsforgardenweb011.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://i697.photobucket.com/albums/vv331/angeldog2009/housepicsforgardenweb010.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://i697.photobucket.com/albums/vv331/angeldog2009/housepicsforgardenweb009.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://i697.photobucket.com/albums/vv331/angeldog2009/housepicsforgardenweb008.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://i697.photobucket.com/albums/vv331/angeldog2009/housepicsforgardenweb007.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://i697.photobucket.com/albums/vv331/angeldog2009/housepicsforgardenweb003.jpg[/IMG]