Number 1 uses a lot of space for circulation between the garage, guest wing and the rest of the floor plan. It also creates a number of awkward angled spaces at the intersection. On the exterior, depending on lot siting, it could look like a garage with an attached house, rather than house with attached garage. #2 seems a bit simpler in layout although it's still a bit convoluted and some of the room adjacencies are strange, with the service part of the house and the kitchen at opposite ends. As far as the TV goes, it could go in the built ins next to the fireplace rather than directly over. In either plan a lot of the furniture is going to have to float in the living areas, so furniture arrangement won't be simple, and table lamps will be a problem.

Yeah, many shops has designers for in house quotes and suggestion.

When you are a traveling sales rep, you get over it in hurry. Funny story - one time I had to go pretty bad. I stopped at a convenience store (that had sit-down eating booths) and the girl told me the bathrooms were around back...port-a-potties. Oh Yea, my favorite! Well, it was an emergency. So I opened the door and it was FILTHY! I walked right back in and asked very politely if they had an indoor facility. (I REALLY had to go by now.) There was absolutley no way I could get back in the car, I HAD to resort to drastic measures, and this is where politeness took a detour. Well, she told me there was no others except for employees. (remember I am desperate here...) I told her state law requires eating establishment to have a public restroom and if the ones out back were it, I was going to call for an inspector. Long story short, I did use the "employee only" room successfully, I did go ahead and buy a soda (or something) and I did NOT call the inspector That type of behavior is totally not normal for me, but I cannot remember a single time when I needed it more! LOL

Over the last couple of yrs. I've had to buy rulers for classes: the 8 x 24, then 12.5 square, then 3.5 square then 4.5 square (I'm not doing angles yet). Despite all that, I revert back to the same rulers I used as a teenager (I'm 51): 2 x 18, clear lucite, marked in 1/8" (comes marked or red or turquoise). My latest pair of the last few yrs. once I started rotary cutting, I got one w/ a metal edge. I'm just sooooo used to the 1/8 mark & the almost automatic 1/4 that's so easily marked w/ these. Just last night I opened my first pack of sandpaper dots (had for couple of yrs.) after a small slip cutting around the 4.5" square. Turns out they're great! They're 3/8" in diameter w/ some adhesive backing, makes a BIG difference. From the LQS, comes 36 in a pack, called Fabric Grips (for $2.40). Try 'em! But now that you all have reminded me I own a 6 X 24, that's what I've needed for the last 3 wks doing homework for a color class, working all in 4.5" squares. Have to make 4 separate quilts, each 6 x 8 repeats finished at 4" square. I;ve cut individually around the square, yikes! Yes, NOW I remember the larger rule. Can you hear me smacking myself in head (you know, like the V-8 commercial)?