I have checked with my insurance company. They don't care if I put a commercial, non-residential range in my kitchen. I'd notify them in writing before proceeding, of course. Weight should not be an issue. 36-inch to 48-inch ranges weigh from 600 to 800 pounds, which is about five people. The basement is unfinished, so if I measure any deflection I can sister the joists or even add a post. I've talked to a local restaurant supply store. They are happy to sell me a used range. For a new range, they want to sell to a business, which I can do. They will only deliver to my front door, will not install, and the range will have no warranty - all perfectly understandable. The applicable building code has no provision for commercial appliances in residential dwellings. Then again, I've never pulled a building permit just to buy a new kitchen appliance. Interestingly, the code says nothing meaningful about makeup air or required CFMs in residential kitchens - I will look again, though. Visually - hmm. I did a quick sketch - maybe I can make this look palatable, maybe not. So, this brings me to the original issue, which is function and safety. I have friends with commercial ranges in their home kitchens. These ranges don't set the kitchen ablaze, nor do they turn the kitchen into a sauna, nor do they brand you like a calf if you brush up against them. They are not ''on'' at full-bore 12 hours/day, jammed in a room with more ranges, broilers, griddles, ovens, fryers, all working non-stop. I believe that, if properly installed with appropriate clearance to combustibles and appropriate venting and professionally installed gas connections, a commercial range is just as safe as any range. When I add the fire suppression and gas shut-off, I think it'll be safer. But I do need to get the venting right. This house is leaky, but hopefully as we work on it, it'll get tighter, and I don't want any backdrafting. The way I see it, the exhaust and makeup issues I'm wondering about are not unique to commercial ranges. Someone planning a 60-inch "professional" range with char-broiler would face the same issues. I know that discussions about commercial appliances on GW tend to elicit cautionary responses, which I understand and appreciate. But, for the purposes of planning HVAC, let's forget the "commercial" aspect. Let's pretend I'm planning a 60-inch Bluestar and for some reason I like to cook with burners on high and the oven door ajar and the char-broiler blazing.

I like the overall bones of the plan. I think that if it were me, I'd make the following tweaks (of course, this is all personal preference): 1) Windows in dining room and den--change to 1 set of 2 double hung windows stuck together, rather than 2 separate double hungs. I prefer wider windows than multiple smaller windows. This is also easier with window coverings. Instead of 4 panels, you'll only need 2. 2) Stairs to basement, I'd open the stairs to basement on the family room side. I just personally really dislike enclosed stair cases. I'd add a door at the bottom of the basement steps if you plan on closing that space off. that open top stair well will also give you more flexibility in moving large objects downstairs. 3) Garage entry--I'd carve out a small place to hang my coat, drop my keys, etc. It doesn't sound like you have kids living at home, but I'd still want a place for DH and me to drop our things. 4) Is there a way to get a window into your main floor bath? You are so close to an exterior wall. May be a little bit of reconfiguring can get a window in there. I love natural light, especially in a bathroom. 5) Stair landing on 2d floor-- Open up stairwell by moving door to bonus room to left about 6 ft. You can still close off that space, but at least you'll have a more open stairwell (and also give you more flexibility in moving large objects upstairs). Me, personally, I'd also open the stairwell to the nook so that you can get natural light into the stairwell area. You could add a door between the nook and the bonus room if you want to close that space off, may be even double french doors? Also, I'd get rid of the wall right in front of the stairs between it and the bathroom. 6) 2d floor bathroom--I'd push the sink into the storage area. You have so much space upstairs, it seems kind of too bad to make a cramped little bathroom upstairs. 7) Bigger windows in bedrooms 3 & 4 Anyway, it sounds like you guys are empty nesters. In building the house, it sounds like you want the ability and flexibility to live on only 1 floor. That being so, I'd just be careful not to make the other spaces seem like second class citizens in the house. The main spaces just seem so much nicer and sunnier than the other spaces. Although the other spaces don't have to be as nice, it doesn't take that much to add bigger windows and give those spaces an airier feel. Just my 2 cents. Good luck!

I too was a little "eh" on the exterior until i saw it in a book (where they got the basic design from). Then it looked a lot better. I would still like some "umph" added to it but i'm not sure how far i'm going to get with this architect. He's really great - but doesn't seem too willing to change the exterior. And as much as it might not be super perfect for me/us, it is really nice. And since this isn't our forever home, i'm not sure i'm willing to shop this around to see if someone can do better. I think I will just settle and create a nice paint scheme and exterior lighting. That might help a lot. thanks for all of the comments! I stare at this plan every waking moment thinking through how we use our current space and how we would use this new space. Stuff like where I put my glasses when I shower and will I have a similar spot in the new design. Or the fact that my husband often comes home from business trips at 3am...how can I leave a light on for him that won't disturb me, then how does he shut it off without walking through a dark house to get to our room. We have solutions for these two in particular, but it's these little every day inconveniences that make or break a space for me! Oh - and another one...we created the exterior door to the porch in our master bedroom. But if we have a house alarm, we really need a panel in our room. Otherwise, I have to leave the room, turn off the alarm, then go back in to go outside?!? Uh - no...if I have to do all of that, I might as well exit the house somewhere else! Again, it's these little things that are the things I hope we don't miss!!

Oh, dear! I thought you might like that console...and unfortunately it is no longer available, which is why I didn't send the link. It is the Bailey Console Table by Pottery Barn. It's a great look and I am sure that you can find something similar. Take a look at the Layla Grayce link below. Their inventory is a bit pricey, but the furniture and rugs on the site are wonderful and may provide some inspiration. RE: the rug size As a rule, choosing the correct size area rug depends on the dimensions of the room or space you are trying to cover. To determine what size rug will best suit your needs: 1. Measure the size of your room. 2. Measure the space you want covered. 3. Now place a piece of paper where each of the corners will fall; adjust the "corners" as needed to make the space larger or smaller and then re-measure the area. Most people feel that room will look better proportioned if there is at least 18-24" of bare floor space around the area rug. Try to leave an equal amount of flooring exposed as a border on all sides. If that is not possible, try to ensure that the borders on parallel sides of the rug are equal. All legs of the furniture should be on the rug for a classic look, and at the very least, have the front legs of the furniture on the rug and the back legs off the rug (a more casual look). The reference below is helpful if you want to follow the 18" to 24" of bare floor showing around a room sized rug "rule of thumb". 8' 0" x 10' 0"-Size Area Rug - for Room Size: 9' 6" x 11' 6" to 10' 0" x 12' 0" & larger 9' 0" x 12' 0" -Size Area Rug - for Room Size: 10' 6" x 13' 6" to 11' 0" x 14' 0"" & larger 10' 0" x 15' 0 -Size Area Rug - for Room Size: 11' 6" x 16' 6" to 12' 0" x 17' 0" & larger It is generally considered awkward for a heavily traffic area to be half rug, and half "no rug". You do not want one foot on a rug and one foot off as you are walking through an area constantly.