This fails my #1 test: There's not enough 'back hall' space and no powder room at the family entry. (Via the garage door, yes?)

Neither porch is deep enough for a table and chairs. (Need 12 feet.) We have skylights in the eastern slope of our screened porch to keep interior rooms bright in winter. Is the front porch private enough for use? Do you require screening against insects?

Do you want to access a closet by walking through the master bathroom? (Privacy? Moisture problems?) I don't know if our master suite plan can work here, but this is our 'two closet' plan: Between our BR and bath is a short hallway with closets flanking it; pocket doors on the closets. Flanking the hallway door inside the bath are pedestal sinks. The toilet room, tub and shower are in a row opposite the sinks.

There's a lot of 'walk-through' space in this plan with its long hallway and the great room. Play with furniture placement using cut-outs.

I take it the stairs off the kitchen are to a basement. If you plan to use the basement for anything that would involve non-family, you may prefer stairs in a more public area -- and away from the MBR.

Will you use the DR? If not, it becomes a sort of furniture showroom, 'on display' from the hallway and foyer. (You said you were trying to cut the square footage.)

I wouldn't care for the interior kitchen; some don't mind.

I'm OK with the other BR wing and I like the big eating area in the kitchen. We are happy with 9-foot ceilings.

Is the garage big enough for any equipment your DGD may accumulate in future? Will you need to store porch furniture in the garage?

It's helpful to see 'North' on plans. You may want more windows in the house.

Thanks for your feedback!

We are negotiating a lot now, that we hope to get.. 5 acres, very private. The back of the house is North... DH says here in FL the position isn't so important as up North, as our sun is so high (I think that is what he is saying!!)

I have looked at other plans - some with a powder room, but that isn't so important to us.. however, the sink in the laundry room is important.

We would increase the garage some, but we both drive mini coopers! Ha.. makes even small garages look big! Our current home has both closets in the masterbath.. didn't think I would like it, but it really works out fine. Normally - I would have only looked at plans with the baths as you described, but having this home - opened my mind!

The staircase actually goes up to a bonus room, which we will use - for now. Ideally - I'd like a door to be able to close it off someday. I can't figure out if there is a better placement for the stairs. we are in FL, so no basement.

The DR.. will be hardly used, but I just can't seem to bring myself to liking a plan without one.. I WANT to like it without a DR.. but I think I'm heading to wasting the space.

I really, really, really love kitchens with windows, hubby is fought me on any that I have showed him.

Do you think the breakfast room (which I like with all the windows) will flow enough light into the kitchen and great room? Should I consider a vaulted ceiling with dormers or windows for the GR..?

Here is another plan I like a lot (keep in mind - they are stock and I haven't tweaked them any.
{{gwi:1480085}}

Wow.. someone messed up the forums with spam!

Hey Tinker- I like #2. The Master would be easier to decorate because the closet door would not be opposite the natural placement of the bed. I agree with the other poster - increase back patio depth to 12'. Also, plan 3 or 4 ceiling fans for the back patio because of the North exposure (assuming, like us in South Florida, your summer breezes come from the South/Southeast). Good luck!

palelah, that's a good point.. obviously.. I still need to figure this all out! I DO like the bumped out breakfast room.. as I'm trying to get light into the house, but maybe I'm going overboard because of our current dark home!

I prefer the second plan too. I'd drop the great room down to the same level as the BR next to it -- or push that whole wing down. That would allow a little more light into the kitchen sink area.

Of course I like the MBR suite -- similar to our layout.

Small thing: Why not extend BR-1's closet instead of having useless space in that hallway beyond where the BR door opens?

#2
just keep in mind that the master bedroom/baths/closets
will have multiple supply grills (HVAC) and you will
have to provide sufficient return air.
undercutting the door will not return from all the supply
grills. you could install a jump duct or a transfer grill.
best of luck.