Thanks Summit! Yes... I originally wanted that hallway there... but we were open to "conserving space" (to try to keep the house at/around 4000sf) if the architect had different ideas. I think he did a good job getting in what we need... but..... I feel like I want that hallway regardless of how much/little SF it adds to the house. I still feel like the laundry/craft room + mudroom + back pool bathroom needs reconfiguring still. Would a hall going from that back door connecting to the hall from the guest room (so the bathroom opens up into that hall) work? Or maybe move the laundry room down so its accessible from the guest hallway vs teh back corner. Hmm.

Our new house has an interior kitchen, and it is fine with me, but keep in mind our main floor is about a 1/3 of the size of yours, about 8 feet away from the windows in the dining room, and on a city lot that is about 0.14 acres with my neighbours about 9-10 ft on either side. You have a much different space - and a lot more land to work with. The model home shows how many lights you need to keep it bright (on side note, please do not turn your ceilings into Swiss cheese - pot lights have a purpose but at a cost in terms of a less “sealed home” - so use them sparingly for that AND aesthetics. Also, that laundry room is small for 6 people. And far away from where all the dirty laundry is generated and clean laundry is destined! We had a smaller one for a family of 6 growing up but again...entire house was about 2/3 of your main floor. And while there were more constraints in our case if you are building a house this size I assume you have budget to hire an architect and make a plan that really works for your family and works with - not against land. I am in no way someone who “architect only” (we are not using one - we went with a modified plan from a local “mid-sized” builder) but again with that land and a healthy budget - it is worth it to get an architect involved.

@ Res, You can gut and re do a master bath in ten weeks well planned, a kitchen in 12. I've had a fabric on order for two chairs since SEPTEMBER. They'll be at my upholsterer another three after that, and that's with pretty please and sugar on top. Client is hanging in, and won't consider a change. Their rug, ordered in August and back ordered, was just finished, after finally arriving a week ago. A half decent custom sofa takes 12 to 14 weeks minimum. ....................so maybe just count your blessings. The profit from any of this is just as "delayed" : )Pretty damn hard to invoice in full, that which is not THERE.

Christy, since your first inclination was white with black ,which is classic , this may be out of your comfort zone — and not knowing how much land surrounds your home and how close neighboring homes are, also makes it hard to know what might be appropriate choices . Just throwing this out there ,however, to show that a farm style house can really be any color you like. I love white with black shutters, but also really like red, (bright or muted shades ) or pale yellow with white shutters . Iterations of chalky navy blues are nice, also. Some examples -