As long as you're here and as long as you're looking for a top loader, I highly recommend the Fisher & Paykel. I don't use a lot of cycles or need fancy electronics, so we got the most basic washer they had that matched the most basic top-loading dryer. We have a family of 10, and also launder comforters, etc. in it. I don't think it's the largest out there in terms of capacity claims, but it does the job for us, and judges how much water to use based on the weight of the laundry, and, I think, how dirty the water is when it's running. Love, love, love it. It's the 2nd F&P set we've had. We had the other for several years in our previous home and didn't move it, because the temporary quarters we lived in while building had a set of its own (Which was a Whirlpool made Kenmore that we hated)...But we loved that previous F&P set also, and that's why we got a new set for our new house. This is the first top-load dryer, though, and I wouldn't want to go back after having it.

"How did you determine how much you can afford to build / how much you need / etc.? We started with discussions on desired lifestyle and goals for house. What activities did we need to plan for? What sort of space would they need, and could it be shared? You need to have these discussions before you start drawing up floor plans. Many of the construction details and materials are driven by the desire to use minimal energy for heating and cooling, to have low ongoing maintenance, and to minimize water usage. Did you say, "We can build this many square feet", or "We can spend this much money"? We have an upper limit, based on wanting to fund the building out of the sale of the current house ... square feet is determined by life style. And we're not into McMansions, we're into efficiency. One goal is to get it into as small a footprint as possible. Did this change much as you built and your budget dwindled? We've identified places where costs can be cut, and what can't be cut. We could do some DIY, and leave some things unfinished, use less expensive finish materials. Did you start with your wants and downgrade as necessary, or did you start with the budget and determine what you could have for that money? After the "how do we want to live in a house" discussions, we started with the dimensions of and the desired view from a California king bed ... seriously that was what has driven about half of the floor plan. The plan was radically revised a couple of times as the possible lot to build on changed ... you HAVE TO take the site into consideration. To get the view, the bed has to be placed against an inner wall on the second floor, facing a large, low window or a door, aimed in a certain direction. To the bed's dimensions we added clearance for access (in a walker or wheelchair - we're geezers) and the desired bookshelves and small wardrobe. Bed placement determines door placement ... which controlled bathroom placement, which controlled ... you see where this goes. To get to the second floor bedroom, we needed stairs ... and the SO's size 14 shoes controlled the tread depth, and the building codes controlled the riser height. That in turn controlled the height of the main entry. Kitchen size was determined by appliance sizes, workspaces, need for certain size walkway, etc. We will have a large pantry because it's a small town. Need to buy in bulk and have a place to store it. It's mostly been lifestyle, activity and traffic pattern driven after that. The need to "age in place" meant that one bedroom and full accessible bath had to be downstairs. ============ Some of the things we are doing to keep cost down: * Square floor plan with almost no hallways (American Four Square influenced) * Kitchen designed to use "standard" appliances - niche for frig instead of counter-depth, etc. * Straight run counters (galley kitchen) and simple layout, simple cabinet design, probably local cabinetmaker. * Standardizing bath fixtures and finishes (you get a better deal on the tile, and the contractor doesn't go nuts remembering what goes where) ============= I could easily increase the cost of the house by 50% by using the fancy stuff: designer tiles, "pro" appliances, ornate trim, and expensive lighting fixtures. I'd rather spend the money on books, art, and travel. =========== What about resale value? Screw resale value. That's the heirs' problem :)

Once upon a time I typed up a list of questions for helping select a machine....not all these pertain to you, but its worth clipping (anyone want to add anything?). I saved it in my clippings, public. Do you want a front loader (FL) or top loader (TL)? If you want a front loader, do you want an internal heater? If you donÂt know, please read the Laundry Room FAQ (insert link here). Where in the house will the washer be set up  second floor, basement, closet? What is the floor made of? What are your space configurations/confinements? Are you looking for undercounter units? How big a machine do you want? How many loads a week do you do or want to do? Do you have special laundry considerations like shedding pets, or young children in diapers? Do you have any problems now that you are hoping to solve with a new machine? How important to you is the loudness of the machine? Do you want controls on the top rear or front of the machine? Where are your hook-ups  washer on left/right, stackable? Are you looking for just a washer, and if not, do you need/want a matching dryer? What factors are most important to you: cost, reliability, performance, speed, water/electricity savings, controls (specify things like: water temp, type and amount of cycles, cycle times, spin speed, ability to open the machine and add chemicals or clothes)? How much do you want to spend? Do you have a preferred vendor  Sears, Best Buy, Independent retailer, Lowes/Home Depot (some may have deals going)? Have you called a few of the extended warranty companies to ensure they are within servicing distance?

Cloud_swift is absolutely correct about trees and shade around your home. Color is very difficult in my house because I am surrounded by trees and hills. I have a very tall, steep hill (small mountain) directly behind my house (east) covered in huge oak trees, plus a covered patio, so I get NO direct light in my kitchen...the lights need to be on ALL DAY. Because of this hill, it is around 10-11:00 am before I get the direct sun coming over the hill top and the tree line. I have large maples at each end of my house (north and south) that provide wonderful shade, but again, the end of my house that is slightly north-east gets very little direct sunlight. There are huge pines, spruce, etc in front of the house, which block the evening sun. I do get some nice direct south-west sun in the afternoon at one front corner (office and bedroom), Just to give you some examples: Beiges and tans look dirty/murky in my home. Golden tans look dirty (I tried Believable Buff - terrible - looks great in good light). I have a true soft butter yellow in my DR (front of the house) which is beautiful day or night. Greens look good in my home. I have the feeling the currently popular grays will not look good in my home. I have the feeling the blue-greens or green-blues will look good (thinking Sea Salt, Wyeth Blue, Quietude, etc). Have never used dark colors and don't care for them, but I believe they would "show" well. The point I am making here is the outside greenery and the shade SIGNIFICANTLY factors into my paint colors. Hope this helps also.