Be aware that in a 1500 to 1600 sq ft plan, you're probably NOT going to find the kind of 300 to 400 sq ft dream kitchen with dozens of cabinets and 20-30 linear feet of counter space that you see in 4000 to 5000 sq ft plans. You just won't have the square footage to devote that much to kitchen. And, an open plan typically means that you lose a kitchen wall (to open the space up to the living room area) that you might otherwise have had cabinets on. When you say you want a "somewhat symmetric" front elevation, how non-symmetrical are you willing to go? Do you want/need a front facing garage? It's pretty much impossible to get a symmetrical front elevation when you have a front facing garage. The garage throws the symmetry off. You also don't mention whether you want 1 or 2 stories. And if 2 stories are okay, would you also be okay with all the bedrooms upstairs or do you want the master and that nursery downstairs? Do you want/need a formal dining area or could you possibly adapt a plan by turning a formal dining area into a nursery? All that said, here are a couple of plans that might suit you (with my commentary about tweaks that might make them a little better)... ***** http://www.eplans.com/house-plans/epl/hwepl08973.html?from=search The only thing not symmetrical about the front elevation of this house is that the roof and a small part of the side wall of a side load garage (which is at the back of the plan) can be see peaking out from the front. Hopefully it is still symmetrical enough for you because the floor plan seems pretty much perfect. The only change I would make is that I'd move the doorway to the middle bedroom back closer to the master bedroom door so that one couldn't see straight into the bedroom from the great room. **** http://www.eplans.com/house-plans/epl/hwepl10254.html?from=search The general floor plan seems to meet your needs and the front elevation is almost symmetrical. I can't say I like those three front facing gables on this one tho. And attic dormer windows that aren't there for a PURPOSE have always struck me as a rather silly waste of money. If it were me, I'd square up the garage with the bedrooms and pull the front wall of the "activity room" forward by about 3 feet. For a living area, 11'6" is just too narrow. Then I'd roof the entire house/garage with a simple gable roof. Finally I'd pull the porch forward so that it sticks out in front of the house by about 4 to 6 ft and put a front facing gable roof over that. That would give you a very symmetrical front elevation with the front porch as the clear focal point of the house. Inside I'd make the office space smaller by moving that wall over to about where the right hand edge of that window is. Then I'd make that smaller "office" into the laundry with a window of its own. Where the laundry closet was, I'd put in a small reach-pantry. The remaining space I'd turn into a mud room. To find other plans that might suit you, you might try looking for 2 bedroom plans with a den/office; or split bedroom plans with a formal dining room or an office/den that could be turned into a nursery. An office/den is often placed close to the master bedroom so it can often be turned into a nursery. Hope this helps

Unfortunately, relying on other people to interpret and describe colors is just about as tough as deciding from other online sources. If you can't shop in person, then I'd pick the ones that look the closest to what you're envisioning and see if you can order just pillow cases (easier and less expensive to return). Or find a source that has a generous return policy, maybe free shipping, free returns?

https://secure.img1-fg.wfcdn.com/im/90265796/resize-h800%5Ecompr-r85/5627/56270119/Tuftonboro+TV+Stand+for+TVs+up+to+48%2522.jpg Google 48 inch wide tv consoles. Because there will be little between that and 54 inches dear. https://screenshots.firefox.com/Dt7ItlogiEpGT8zQ/www.hayneedle.com

From the left wall going past the front door, it looks like you could float a sofa in that area. The sofa's back would face the left wall. It would create a hallway effect coming in from the front door. On the right side wall, looks like you might have room for a TV console with a TV on it. In front of the windows would have 2 (might only be one based on the size of the furniture) you could put the chairs. The best thing for you to do is find furniture that you like, then you can either draw out a furniture layout on paper or get some blue painters tape and tape out the furniture sizes on the floor and see how it flows for you and if the size of the furniture is correct. Furniture always looks smaller in a showroom so you want to make sure your furniture measurements are spot on for the size of your room before you make any purchases.