I'm in the planning stages but have put tons of thought into this. Hopefully I won't have to tweak it too much when I do the framing walkthrough. (You really should walk though the framed house before finalizing the locations.) No Christmas package (don't decorate for holidays) or intercom. Outlets at a few locations specifically for nighlights (in bathrooms and in hallways) so we don't have to flip on the overhead lights in order to use the facilities in the middle of the night. Switch for the bathroom fan between the toilet and the vanity (instead of with the other switches near the door) so that it is accessible from the toilet and standing in front of the vanity. Duplex outlets near the TV area. Duplex outlet mounted higher on the wall than normal for the main phone area which will be a nich in the wall. Duplex outlets to either side of all potential bed headboards. Oulets dedicated for cell phone charging in an elevated nich. Duplex outlet, tv cable (for internet) and phone (for fax) anywhere that I plan to (or even might) have a computer. Outlet immediately beside the loft railing in case we ever want to put lights across the railing we can plug them in without a tripping hazzard. Although we probably won't need them, I am putting one oulet just inside each WIC. In my workshop, I'll put an outlet 5' high so that I can put a shelf under it to hold a small radio and clock but still be able to put tables or work space under it. Outlets closer together than Code requires so that it's more convenient. Switches for a room at EVERY entrance into that room. (Our current house doesn't have switches at every entrance and it's a pain.) We will have a small vestibule (for guest entry) and small mudroom for our entry from the garden that are beside each other. Their lights will be on the same switch so that when we walk from outside, into the mudroom, into the entry (from interior access) and then finially into the main house we don't have to flip lights on and off every few steps. Just once when we enter the mudroom and again when we enter the main house. Don't forget electrical service for any undercabinet lights. There are past threads about outlets that are mounted so that they are accessible from inside cabinet drawers so that clothing irons or hairdryers can be left plugged in all of the time and stored in the drawers. I'm considering that, too. In a similar manner, outlet inside of mixer lifter kitchen cabinet for mixer. Outlets and switch for pendant lights on the kitchen island. Outlet for microwave that will be raised above countertop height. Exterior grade outlets at multiple places outside that are easily accessible from the porch and patio areas (not for Christmas lights). Outlet at attic access incase I need to plug in a light there since we will have minimal lighting there.

My electrician charged me $100 labor to install a strip of Plugmold under the edge of my counter, and the wire was already stubbed out there (just needed to connect it in box/outlet already installed in pony wall of island). I would have done it myself (tried), but couldn't get the cover on, banged it up, had to buy a new one so I just let him install the whole thing. Wonder if it would have been cheaper if I'd left the cover off, let him come put it on and then I could make connection? My builder refused to put outlets in closets, even our 9.5x7.5 WIC "b/c of fire hazard." So I'll be installing one inside our broom closet for the Swiffer - it's more of a hazard now with the cord running out to the GFCI by the laundry sink. If anyone closes the door, the cord gets pinched!

cfmuehling - Thanks for the nice words. I too am rebuilding after a fire - but only the kitchen was damaged. Sounds like you are rebuilding much more? I am so sorry! Anyway I didn't even need to pull permits for my fire damage, but took the opportunity to do some major work to the kitchen layout. The house is otherwise livable, so it's not as if I need a CO from the City. I will not be fined, but if the inspector doesn't give the green light he simply makes a note of it in the city's record. My contractor says that given the size of the sink and my safety reasoning, he thinks that there is a possibility that the inspector will say OK and I will pass the inspection. I am very sensitive to safety issues after having the fire. The fact is, the kitchen is upscale and attractive, the house's location is an A+ in my city, so the placement of an outlet so close to the sink, while may be the "code," is irrationally unsafe and shouldn't affect resale. I don't have a problem with a prospective buyer knowing this when I resell the house. Heck, if they need an outlet placed into the soapstone counter inches from the sink, in order to get a mortgage, or for personal reasons, I'll be happy to pay for it at that time. :) Dimmers are great, I agree!

Here are the things that I feel you will not like once you are up and running. 1. You need to decide where you think you will prep, your potlights are lighting your walkway/ailes and you may end up with a shadow over your work space even if you have undercounter lighting. 2. Be mindful of the skylights, love the sunlight, but depending on where they are placed and time of year, you could bake while yourn prepping your Sunday afternoon dinner. 3.If it gets too hot in the summer, no skylights, and I love the 3 pendants they add a great look. You can always put up a floor fan when it is really hot that way you are not stuck with a fan in the middle of the kitchen, also with a ceiling fan you can't really have lights around it because they will strob while the fan runs, may be more of a disco kitchen :) 4. In my opinion you have WAY TOO MANY light switches. I would never figure out which switch did what. I am either an all ON or all OFF gal, and I like dimmer switches. You should decide which lights will be on at the same time. I would consider putting all the general lighting from the kitchen and kitchen table area together, desk by itself, island lighting on a switch, task lighting over sink on 1 switch, disposal on a switch, and all undercounter lighting on a switch. I would put your undercounter lighting switch where you will be coming and going most of the time or where you will be preping. I think that cuts 12 switches to 6. 5. Do you want a fixture over the kitchen table? 1. I agree with you all outside lights on one switch! 2. I think the circles with slashes are applince outlets maybe? If they are she put your outlets on your island where people are to sit. They should be on the end you are going to prep on. 3. Yes I would put outlets in the garages for sure. Do you have enough counter space to deal with dishes with both garages right there on either side of the sink? 4. I like the fan in the TV area. May not be seeing what you are asking. 5. You can always have them run your disposal switch to under the sink in the cabinet, that is where mine is and I love it there, I never turn it on trying to turn on a light. The biggest complaint I would have would be that other than undercounter lights you have no task lighting (except over your main sink) and you general walking around lighting I think is going to produce a shadow on your work space and I have a light that does that now and I never work there because I cannot see ever. Also you mentioned your island seating is on the sofa end, your open floor plan is wonderful, if you sit at the island you are going to always have your back to the den or TV which means everyone will always be turned around possible in the other direction, you have enough walkway for 2 feet of turned people on barstools and a 36"-42" walkway behind the couch? If not you may want to move the seating to the kitchen table side. I think you have a great floor plan for your space that you will really enjoy!!! Good Luck!!! Hope I helped!!!