Hi Kats! I like the changes you've made. I agree that you'd be happier with the master shower a bit larger, especially if it's doorless. We're living with a small doorless shower right now in a rental while we build, and the splashing out is considerable, even though it's sunken by 3". I also agree that if at all possible, find a way to put a door across the hallway. I remember you saying that you entertain a lot, and if your mom moves in, I'd think you want noise control. I got the impression you were planning Bedroom 4 to be her room, but if Bath 2 is the handicap accessible one, odds are that she'll be in one of the bedrooms near it or be very inconvenienced. I also agree that you should move the bar 6" toward the dining room. You definitely don't want your fridge doors impeding your walkway. Like Chicagoans mentioned, this will put your sink directly across from your cooktop. I personally prefer them to be slightly offset, but I remember several people on the kitchen forum suggesting that you line them up. Clearly, it must be a matter of personal preference. :-) I like Bevangel's idea of positioning the posts carefully. You COULD shrink your study a bit, but I like it large because it facilitates a sitting area if you want a peaceful spot (especially if your mom moves in), and like you said, you'd like a place for exercise equipment. I'd keep it the size it is, personally. It looks like you're moving along and really taking time to get it right. Good luck!

I don't have an exercise room but I have dreams! (Right now our guest bedroom doubles as my gym.) My room would have one wall of mirrors. Maybe mirror tiles or 2-3 really large beveled edge mirrors. Walls would most likely be a warm gray color or possibly a soft blue-gray. A tv is a must have for me - wall mounted with an adjustable angle/swivel would be ideal. I'm not sure what I'd like on the walls. Either black and whites or possibly jazz it up with color artwork. The main focus, though, would be that it's an exercise room and it would look like it. Mats, weights, etc, could just be set aside or put in a cubby instead of trying to hide them in a closet. And my treadmill would look 'at home' instead of being an eyesore in our guest bedroom! :) Oh, and for space, the only tip I have is to make sure that there is clearance behind the treadmill for safety reasons. Good luck with your project! Please show pics of what you do!

I would recommend selecting a dedicated exercise "area" that is pleasant to be in. Of the options you mentioned, I like #2 for a few reasons. It puts the bike in a place you won't feel like you need to cover it. Having it near a window (or sliding glass doors in your case) gives the exercise place a positive pleasant feeling. I find myself much more motivated to exercise when I get natural light. I often get very warm while exercising and nothing is more pleasant than being able to open up a window (or a sliding glass door) and bring in a nice cross breeze. What I'm doing while exercising all depends on the exercise. But if I'm running on a treadmill or elliptical machine or on a bike, I enjoy watching TV. It helps distract me from the exercise and allows me to do an otherwise very unproductive thing (TV) while doing something productive. I love the idea of reading while exercising, but I tend to exercise too vigorously to be able to read (might fall off treadmill or bike or make myself very motion sick). If you hate to exercise, choose an activity that you truly do enjoy (maybe it's TV, or movies, or reading, or knitting, or talking on the phone) to help pass the time and make the activity more pleasant.

dedtired, with that 8K purchase, that you paid off after a few days, and accumulated a lot of points ... would there have been fewer points given if you'd let the amount owing run till after the billing date? If not, as Elmer suggested to several, why bother? Granted ... all the interest that 8K will accrue in 15 - 45 days or so won't buy many ice cream cones! But, as I've often suggested to young folks, general public, financial workers, etc., "Learning how money works is an interesting hobby ... and IT PAYS WELL!" Taxes, too! _________________________ Don't know whether this is current, or how many may follow it, but I've heard that it's part of the contract many credit card issuers require of the dealers is that they can't offer discounts for cash purchases. Which annoys me, paying for many of my purchases with cash. Maybe I should ask a store with the credit card sticker on the door whether there's a discount for cash, and if none, walk out, leaving the goods behind. But ... then ... there's my time ... and letting the annoyance get to me. Plus, with my "credit" (read "debt") card ... being old, and forgetful, don't help, when they want you to have a mess of capital and small letters, numbers, symbols, etc. for your PIN ... and change it frequently ... ... how was that, again, please? ole joyful