"I've read the TSP has a really "heavy" smell and you have to be careful with it and make sure that you get it all of the wall or paint won't adhere." TSP does not have much of a small at all. It is about the most powerful cleaner that is commonly available. Its biggest hazards is that it burns skin and can stain (darken) woodwork (floors are the big victim). TSP also REQUIRES a separate rinse to ensure it is removed. ANY residue will damage the new paint (it is that strong). If the walls are not filthy Spic and Span should do fine.

Ask your BM store if they stock Cabinet Coat. Cabinet Coat wouuld be the best choice for long term durability. If he doesn't have it, or won't order it, Satin Impervo Waterborne is BM best choice. Use Fresh Start Acrylic primer and at least 2 coats of Impervo. If the cabinets are not factory primed, be sure the painter lightly sands after priming to smooth any raised grain. Michael Here is a link that might be useful: Cabinet Coat

Never tried a Roomba. Does it hold a lot? Would it pull dirt out of a rug? I think of these as useful for crumbs, other loose debris, but don't know. No, it doesn't have a big reservoir -- expect to empty the "pan" every time it runs. Yes, it pulls dirt out of a rug; it is a good vacuum. Pretty much every time I run it, the pan is full of dust and dog hair. Because my daughters and I both have long hair, the Roomba beaters do need "cleaning" about once a month -- I suspect that in a house of short-haired girls or all guys, this wouldn't be an issue. I sit down on the floor, remove the beaters, and use scissors to snip off the hair; it takes about 10 mintues a month. What I like about it, of course, is that it requires NO effort on my part: We "live" in our family room, so I run it 3-4 times a week in there. I close off the door to the hall, close off the door to the office, move the trash can and a bar stool to prevent it from running into the kitchen, then push a button. When it's done, it returns to its charging station. I must disagree that hardwoods are easier to care for. I know it's not the current trend, but I do think 60s housewives were on to something when they covered up all their hardwood floors with wall-to-wall carpet. I prefer taking care of carpet too. I don't think 60s housewives chose carpeting IN SPITE OF the extra cleaning it requires. They chose wall-to-wall carpeting because it was a new trend, because it is warmer, and more friendly to sit upon. You haven't said whether or not you have children, but two people could be quite comfortable in less than 1700 sq ft. The smaller the house, the less to clean, it costs less to build, less taxes, less for utilities; the HVAC system will cost less because it is smaller, etc. As scone911 said, you could save enough to pay someone to do the cleaning. The goal isn't to have a small house; rather, the goal is to have a right-sized house. You need adequate storage and space in the right spaces ... but not wasted space that'll just be -- as you say -- more to clean, more to build, more to tax, more to heat and cool. The house in which I live now is a study in where not to place space. We have a giant master bedroom -- but the empty space at the foot of the bed isn't particularly valuable. At the same time, our master bedroom closet is cramped. Likewise, we have a giant kitchen, which means that replacing the counter tops was very expensive, but our combination walk-in pantry /laundry room is too narrow for comfort. I wish I could move some of the space around!

I would look at white plantation shutters for the windows and a Vertiglide on the slider since you use it every day. I would then either add a cornice over the Vertiglide or some drapery side panels. Now if you have young children I am going to change my Vertiglide recommendation to a vertical. I know no one like verticals but if you have sticky little hands, you want to be able to clean the blind easily! When they have grown to the point where you don't have to worry about that anymore, then you can move to a Vertiglide or something else. Here are some links to a blog you may want to look at for ideas. https://dressthatwindow.com/beauty-of-shutters/ https://dressthatwindow.com/i-hate-verticals-what-else-is-there-for-sliding-glass-doors/ https://dressthatwindow.com/drapery-side-panels-complete-the-look/ Not a perfect example but just trying to give you a sample of the combination of shutters, a Vertiglide and a cornice board. You can really dress up the windows on that back wall to look great! Good Luck!