Thanks everyone. I know it seems great to have all these windows and I am definitely not complaining, but we realize we could have had almost the same effect and light with 8 instead of 10 - and saved a lot of money (in cost of windows and framing) but the architect shows you the drawings and you think wow, that looks good, and you don't think about whether or not it will be practical in use. Our architect came up with that to remedy an really unfortunate addition done by former owner. They stuck on a weirdly designed very 1980's round addition to a 1920's Dutch Colonial - but in a completely different style from original and tried to make it look somewhat like a lighthouse. From the outside, it just looked like a big round mass of stucco, now it looks much better. But I digress... Anyway, that's a good idea about the remote control shades/blinds. Do you know if they work well over time. I like technology, but just want to make sure they are not repair prone. I guess I can search and see if there are any threads about that.

I think 1/2" would look more modern. I have been using 3/4" trim with traditional 1/2" baseboards and it is looking a little clunky. But I'm fine with it - looks more craftsman to me. I also put an extruded edge around the window casing to make it look more finished. So the window frame comes out from the wall about 1-1/8" total. (This actually takes away from the "clunkiness".) Definitely make sure the door casings are flush with or thicker than the baseboards, since the baseboards will butt up against the door casings.

My suggestion is to avoid making the same mistakes and retain the services of an architect. In this way you will have a plan that will address all your concerns and then you can figure out a way to put your plan into action. It is possible that you may have to wait until you have the funds to do it all at once. Sometimes doing things in bits and pieces can cost you more in time and $$ than doing it all at once.

Did you block off the vaulted space over the entry -- looking back towards the door? Are you still doing the exposed beam and other in that space? What did you decide about the wood ceiling? Are you asking about creating cased openings into the keeping room and between the great room and kitchen/dining? This is what I think of for a cased opening. A wall with a cased doorway. What are you thinking of? And you might mention your connection with mommabearof5 so people are not confused.