If that's to scale, there is no way that there can be even 6 feet of headroom in that loft unless that rendering is waaaay out of scale. And how do you get up there? Where will the stairs be? The bathroom door swing is impossible. The post is in a horrible place and would be completely unnecessary if engineered correctly (using the bedroom wall for support or a small wall at the kitchen cabinets, etc.). That house looks like a maximum security bunker with all those mimsy little windows with slits for the guards to look out of. Even on the north side of the house (which gets no sun), the windows are skimpy. That place will be a cave if you don't open it up a lot. Do you have a real view in any direction? Maximize it. Look at other houses, and look at house plans. There are basic, basic flaws in this layout. A small house needs to maximize space, and this doesn't do that. Your idea of "extreme temps" is skewed. Philadelphia has 10-20 (and lower) winters and 90-100 humid summers, and we use all the glass we want. You do not have extreme temps, by any stretch. Even my 100-year-old house has at least two 12-foot-square (or larger) windows on each exterior wall in each room on 3 floors. Don't be afraid of windows.

Have an overall plan before you start. Don't get bits and pieces. Let's get some unity, here! Measure twice, buy once! I wouldn't do a sectional - they are harder to decorate around. Better is a couch and a few upholstered chairs. Also, of course, side tables will be needed and a middle coffee table. Wall decor, such as prints or tapestries. A rug will be needed under the entire seating arrangement (unless you live in a hot climate). If you like knick knacks, you'll want to get some of those. Do you need storage (or have room for that)? If so, be sure to take advantage of your vertical space. Secure it to the wall if needed. If you are a neat freak, open shelving is possible. If not, be sure to get closed shelving. I like more space than stuff, but that's me. Will you have a tv in this room? If so, do you plan to put it over the fireplace (which I don't recommend), or on the wall to the left of the FP? If tv is on the wall, you'll need a console under it. You will need to "float" the seating arrangement in the middle of the living room. Allow for enough comfortable space for people to walk around. Traffic flow will be important. Develop an intimate seating arrangement so you can have a good conversation with others.

@3onthetree 100 more questions . . . . - Where is any shop storage room? - I haven’t designed the interior of the shop portion yet, - Shop man door?– There are regular doors on the other 60 foot side and three drive through pays for large vehicles / motorhomes / tractors / boats etc - Shop toilet? Would probably build it out near the apartment - Laundry for shop clothes? Either use the laundry in the utility room of apartment or have a second set on the back wall of apartment for shop use - Will this be like a separate AirBNB? Should they have shop access then? What about noise? If short-term rental, then pulling through the carport is better than backing in just the trailer and having your truck stick out exposed because of a dedicated patio taking space under there. If we use for Airbnb or short term rental, people could bring a camper or just a car. Yes backing in is kinda a pain, but having a nice outdoor entertaining space is worth the backing headache. - Will this be for journeymen in the shop? 3 bedrooms (Master heirarchy) suited to family, 3 bedrooms (more equal) suited to 3 individuals. A family might want other amenities. Space is multipurpose, parents could stay in it if we have the main house built, family could stay, friends etc or rental too… the property is 160 acres, so there is a chance in the future that we could need additional help and would have space for someone to live. - I take it your husband is in charge with designing the shop and you are taking control of the apartment? Realize there is some coordination and shared design thought of both together. He is mostly in charge of the shop, but we haven’t spent a ton of time building it out yet. We are in the design phase to come up with a plan and figure out costs. The last plan is much better in terms of the Kitchen/Living, 4' wider definitely gives you more opportunity. The kitchen is much too excessive though, you can reduce the cabinets. Also going along with your thoughts of symmetry and garage doors, you can "create" the look of symmetry with the facade materials design, e.g. black window frames will blend in a background of black siding the size of the overhead door (concept shown, not colors). – The large kitchen serves as dining and kitchen and without a formal pantry, I can use more of the space with cabinets to have storage. I think it is borderline excessive too, but I spend more time in that space than a bedroom, so would prefer to put the extra space and extra $$$ there. Here are a couple kitchens I have done before.

I don't know if it ever helps to tell someone to relax, but I will suggest it anyway. :-) When you say designer do you mean architect? If you have an architect all this will get worked out. IMO you don't need 36" wide interior doors unless you're doing accessible design, and there is more to accessible design than door widths. You do want a minimum of a 36" wide door for your front entry. It is possible to have too much glass. Are you budgeting for low-e windows? Untreated glass will let in light that will bleach your furnishings and floors over time. Are you prepared for the cost of covering all that glass if you have a need for privacy or if the windows face south or west? I have a large south facing window in my living room that has a film that cuts 75% of the light. In addition, I have sheer cellular shades on it that are closed all afternoon because on a sunny day the light is too much. It is difficult to impossible to cover clerestory or transom windows unless you cover them along with the windows below them. Your architect should be qualified to advise you on your windows based on the direction the walls face and whatever views you may be trying to maximize or minimize. As Patricia says, you have to work out the floor plan before you get into window details.