kateshome, it doesn't matter what's "common" in some geographic location or other. This is your custom home and it should be designed for your wants, some of your needs and your lifestyle. Clearly, the most economical package to build is a design with living spaces on the first level and sleeping spaces on the second level. Such a 2-story design minimizes foundation footprint and roof framing. It also makes the HVAC and other utilities easier to distribute and to operate. An all single story design maximizes the foundation and the roof framing, lengthens duct and utility runs and is more costly to operate because it has the maximum exterior "skin". Between these two alternatives are myriad options for some bedrooms down and some up. At the end of the day, the only thing that matters is what fits your lifestyle best. What's built in Texas and Maine is irrelevant. What the resale market is said to prefer doesn't matter. I'm pretty sure no one will come to your completed house taking a survey to see where you bedrooms are located. Just a thought or two.

OK... first time all day that someone is not screaming or crying in my house. Crazy day today. Lavender- I wish I could see more pics of that kitchen. It's great. It even has the same cabinet style/color, island color, and flooring that we are planning to have in our kitchen. The 1 car garage is 15'10" wide. Is that big enough to steal space from it? I'm pretty sure we are limited by the property line restriction on the sides of the house. Our lot is 110' wide and 235' deep with untouchable natural green space in the back 1/3 of it. (100'x235' treed natural green space on the west side that is owned by the development.) Bump outs are a bit tricky because of our lot limitations. We hesitated to bump the kitchen out too much because it will limit our backyard patio and landscaping space. A lot of the odd bumps in the floorplan is because during the design process we did a 1' bump out of the kitchen, and several feet to the music room. Both rooms used to be even with the rest of the house. Lyfia- we put the master in that location of the house because of the view. :) Plus, I've never liked the idea of the master bedroom or bath being on the front of the house. Peytonroad- Thanks! Someone else pointed out the wasted space in the mudroom/powder room area. I'll have to keep thinking about that one. You all have given such great ideas and things to think about! I'm not sure if I mentioned this on this thread, but we've hired an independent architect to oversee the build. I'm meeting with her soon so that we can go over any of my concerns. This thread has been wonderful to collect ideas and issues to bring to her. Would love to hear any other ideas if you think of more. You all have been wonderful! Thanks so much!

Thanks for all of the suggestions. The guests will enter from the front (walkways and parking). The kitchen is 22 1/2 x 16 1/2 so the space is there.I like the idea of swapping locations in the kitchen to seperate and allow for views of fireplace & pool area. The difficulty with configuration is there will be an 18 ft ceiling. The 18 ft limestone fireplace will be a focal point on one end and the range hood will have a stone or wood face extending up the 18 ft. on the opposite end. To move it to the side of the room will oook odd. The laundry was made small (10 x 6 1/2) as that was a compromise to allow for a large pantry (12 1/2 x 6 1/2)and a pass through. We looked at lengthening the laundry b 2 ft and shortening the pantry 2 ft but my wife is not to excited about that as our current laundry is 9 x 5 and we're fine with it. The garage is a standard 2 car because the plan will allow for a detached 2 car at the end of the driveway next to it. We were quoted $25k for a two car complete addition (also matching stucco and tile with same garage door)so that will be our next project along with the pool. We are negotioaing the addition of the foundation for it to have electrical and slab ready. Door swings are not correct on the plan though you have a great eye as I dint see that. Swings along with plumbing, electrical, television connections, etc will be decided once we have the correct plan configuration. Windows are also not finalized. At first we did not like the idea of a door near the bedroom. However, that room will initially be our oldest sons room and then become a guest room in a year or so. We like the idea of it now but we have also considered a door entry next to the garage door instead (enters into garage). However, once garage 2 is added it will be odd to walk from one garage into another instead of into the home.

It's okay, but not great. The one thing I'd question is the number of bathrooms. You say that you expect you'll be a family of 6 . . . but you'll be down to 2 within a decade. Yet you're building 4 1/2 bathrooms -- your kids will have more bathroom space than you and your spouse. In a decade, you'll have 5 toilets for 2 people -- unless your budget is unlimited, this is an odd allocation of resources. I'd move the hallways a bit so both kids could share one good-sized bath, and I'd make the other space into either a storage closet OR an upstairs laundry. Remember, bathrooms are the most expensive rooms in the house. They also require cleaning, and they offer the potential for expensive plumbing problems. I just saw your downstairs plan, and this makes me realize a mistake: You say you're running two home businesses, but you haven't included a restroom for clients. You really do need that. I'd suggest relocating the back-door half-bath nearer the office (or the office nearer the back door bath).