It sounds like you have a full chimney. Why can't you keep the doors closed when the fire place is turned on? I live in a cold climate so just about all of the fire places around here use outside air for combustion and don't need to draw air from the house for combustion which means the glass doors can be closed when the fireplace is being used. If you need to keep your doors open, then you must not use outside air. With kids, the biggest advantage of glass doors is being able to close the doors while the fireplace is in use--at worst they get a burn from the hot glass if they are playing around the fire place and happen to touch it. Screens are much more easily moved or tipped over. As chisue said, another advantage of the doors is (if you can close them while the fireplace is on) that you prevent conditioned air from going up the chimney. Good luck.

"Same with washers, there can be a hose break or broken fill part -- and you want to be there to nip it in the bud. When the washer is not in use, turn off its water source to cut the pressure on the hoses. The hoses can burst, leaving a running water hose in your house." To minimize the hassle factor and likelihood of human error (especially if multiple people use the washer), there are several gadgets you can get that either automatically turn on the water only when the washing machine is in use, or sound an alarm and shut off the water (instead of just sounding the alarm) when a leak is detected, which work with MANY different appliances and fixtures. This is especially useful if you cannot reach the shutoffs easily - climbing over the washing machine is a distinct drag, BTDT! Also, replacing the plastic hoses that come with most appliances with braided-steel-encased ones significantly reduces the possibility of blowouts. For the average $500 homeowner's insurance deductible you can outfit multiple appliances, and most of these things are easy enough to install that the average homeowner can do it. There are also more expensive automatic detectors/shutoffs that can be hooked right into a housewide security system. Your homeowner's insurance company may even give you a credit on your policy for having these sorts of things installed - ask, the worst they can say is no! These are just a couple of the many products out there to choose from: Watts Intelliflow automatic washing machine valve - Watts website FloodStop automatic shutoffs for washing machines, dishwashers, icemakers, water heaters, toilets, sinks, etc. - manufacturer website Water Controller Inc. offers the AquaGate and Leak Controller In addition, consider having your gate-valve shutoffs (has a sort of star-shaped knob, takes several turns to open/close) changed over to ball-valve shutoffs (long lever that only moves 1/4 turn) if you have a plumber at your house for something else. Ball valves are SO much easier and faster to operate, especially with wet hands, you can see easily whether the valve is open or closed, and they are less likely to malfunction with age. There is a special "two-in-one" ball valve made especially for laundry hookups where flipping one lever opens and closes both valves instead of having to smash your knuckles turning that little knob. Don't forget your carbon monoxide detectors, either! The fire department here recommends separate CO and smoke alarms, both so that if one goes kaput you still have the other functioning and also because the optimal location for a smoke alarm isn't necessarily the best for a CO one. Hardwired or plug-in ones should have a battery backup.

jennyrice, For a totally "out of the box" response: A Breville SmartOven 800XL is an awesome second mini-oven. Heats faster, uses less power, heats the kitchen less. I have personally cooked on mine exclusively for months at a time while on long term business travel where I cooked awesome steaks, pizzas, casseroles, and the more common toaster oven things like "hot pockets", biscuits, bread, etc. Mini-rant: I don't get Speed Ovens other than saving counter space. A microwave like you want is $40~60 at a big box store and can be put away when not in use just like a toaster oven or or electric griddle. Then there is the cost, maintenance and, reliability. I would like a steam oven but, for similar reasons and the amount of use it would see I won't be getting one of those either.

Have you had a chance to read the Layout Help FAQ? It shows you what CPArtist is asking about when she asked about measurements. We really need to see the measurements to know whether your layout will really work. I'm already concerned about your aisles in general. Are you measuring your aisles cabinet-to-cabinet? If so, then your aisles are 3" narrower than you think they are. Unfortunately, many KDs and GCs mistakenly measure aisles cabinet-to-cabinet. Aisles are measured to/from the items that stick out in the aisle the farthest - counters, appliances/appliance handles, etc. Here's the Layout Help FAQ: How do I ask for Layout Help and what information should I include? http://ths.gardenweb.com/discussions/2767033/how-do-i-ask-for-layout-help-and-what-information-should-i-include . In addition we have a series of Kitchen Design Best Practices/Guidelines FAQ threads. These FAQ threads explain best practices/good design guidelines for items such as work zones, aisles, island/peninsula seating, etc. These threads will help you understand questions/comments you will receive. Kitchen work zones, what are they? http://ths.gardenweb.com/discussions/3638270/faq-kitchen-work-zones-what-are-they Aisle widths, walkways, seating overhangs, work and landing space, and others http://ths.gardenweb.com/discussions/3638304/faq-aisle-widths-walkways-seating-overhangs-work-landing-space-etc How do I plan for storage? Types of Storage? What to Store Where? http://ths.gardenweb.com/discussions/3638376/faq-how-do-i-plan-for-storage Ice. Water. Stone. Fire (Looking for layout help? Memorize this first) http://ths.gardenweb.com/discussions/2699918/looking-for-layout-help-memorize-this-first