Interesting that we have had two new juicing posters today. "juicing about 1/2 pounds of vegetable's per day. We have 5 rotating composting bins running over" I take that to mean half a pound of pulp? Or one to two pounds of pulp? The other poster should take note that just this much pulp is taxing 5 of the composting bins that rotate. This will help them size their system. If worms are crawling out of the system, this is not unheard of, then the only help you need is to add bedding. Do you eat eggs? If so "save the world" and put the egg cartons into the bin. Read the newspaper? Bring home produce from the farmers market in cardboard boxes or paper bags? Use paper towels or toilet paper or wrapping paper or aluminum foil which have tubes to put into the bin. Use coffee filters or paper towels or napkins? Rake up leaves? Have used up cotton t-shirts, undies or jeans? Nitrogen with out Carbon equals Stinky Stuff equals Death. Nitrogen with Carbon equals Bio-matter equals Life Giving Force. It is a Feng Shui Chakra Balancing thing. Plastic bins are possible with zero holes and zero covers. Many do it that way. Even better would be a wood bin. Happy worms make charmed vermicompost which make happy plants to juice.

Brick Color is first. You will need to decide on an overall color scheme for the exterior of the house, and pick a brick that matches. If you home has an all brick exterior, this will be easier. Then Shingle color. This will go on right after framing. Window color is also crucial at this point. Windows will need to be ordered in the first week of framing. White on white comes in quicker, custom colors can take quite a bit of time. Showers also need to be installed before rough-in or before any siding or brick is put up, if you are using the one-piece fiberglass shower/tubs. These are much easier to put in during framing. (If you are using these, look at AKER brand. IMO,they have the best value in a builder grade shower, very strong, and made from an acrylic gel-coat). If you want anything custom, it is close to time to order these showers. You have some time on the rest, (flooring,interior paint, countertop material/ color, etc.) but not alot! You need to be making decisions on the items mentioned above soon! This will help prevent costly delays, waiting on things to come in. Good Luck, we are in the exact same stage. We have all of our permits, and we are waiting for the state to put in a driveway swale pipe so that the grader can get in and work. It is so frustrating waiting on the state! They have already cost us a week, and these long summer days are impossible to recover! ARGH!!!

Your color dilemma reminds me a bit of my situation too. At my former house I had all warms and golds and earthtones, some very saturated. Loved it. Now I moved to new place and color scheme is giving me a hard time. My cabinets are warm like yours, but everything else is cool -- furniture, counter, walls. I am trying to work with greens and blue's because I know that makes color sense, but the cabinets and my deep preferences keep making me gravitate back to my earthtones. When I go shopping, I am always drawn to the warm saturated earthtones. So one thing to consider as you progress is the types of colors that speak to you and will make you happier. Probably best to work within our natural tendencies. I am trying to embrace white and cream as the "balancer", but it is difficult. Your sofa looks taupe in some shots and creamy in others. I think that makes a huge difference as to the wall colors in that space. Can you handle white or cream in most of the areas and find a section or wall to splash on some serious color? The dining area is a good candidate for that and you can skip curtains if it is colorful enough.

Thanks Gobruno and Pps7! I loved watching both of you on the Building a Home forum. Your homes are lovely-lots of inspiration so post more pictures when you can :)! Since I am now in the same boat, I appreciate you taking the time to respond so thoughtfully. The suggestions are great! Since posting yesterday, I have begun searching for window treatments. Here is where I am at: DR- Pottery Barn is having a sale on Duponi Silk panels so I will go and check out the colors in person. It looked like JC Penney had a good selection too. The ceilings are 9 ' so should I go with a 108" panel? Where would you put the rod? Between the window and transom or at the ceiling height? Also, any thoughts on color? Kitchen- Good point regarding a blind being in the way. I love the warmth of the bamboo/woven shades but will wait on that a little to see how it "lives." I do think that morning sun may be an issue. Family Room- Both sets of windows are in the great room. The windows above the fp are on the front wall and will likely stay uncovered. The TV will go on the side wall. The wall of windows & window seat go across the back wall of the house. Gobruno- I see your point about blinds on the only the lower windows breaking up the look but I know I will need coverage. Long sheer panels sound pretty- light and flowy so I will have to think about that. pps7- if I only did panels on the bottom 1/2, would the rod go below the transoms? That is is so far... Any additional opinions or pictures would be appreciated and thanks again. 2 other quick comments: Gobruno- thanks for the advice about S&N. I have black out panels for each of the kids rooms but the roller shades seem like a great option beneath them & also for other spaces. I will definitely be checking them out! pps7- your master bath has always been an inspiration. I intend to copy your look exactly for the window above the tub :). Would you mind sharing the details?