I've had 2 Miele dws in the last ten years. The names change and they've added features. But many basics don't change. All of them do pots & pans really well -- there's a pots and pans cycle that's a gem. Also, these machines can be loaded up like crazy and everything gets clean -- there have been some amazing pics of that posted here. We use ours heavily for pots, pans and utensils, plastics -- everything. Only wood items and good knives are hand washed. All of them are quiet unless one is super sensitive, then go towards top of the line or second from top. I had posted a photo of my older dw packed with 30 dinner plates but I can't find it now. There are a few definers with Miele. My personal must haves are: The cutlery tray. I had one with my Optima that was divided but I only removed part of that once. Your big utensils like ladles and whisks are too large for the regular cutlery tray -- unless you get a model with the 3D feature which is relatively new. Otherwise, bigger utensils can go on top of stuff in the second basket. I would like the 3D for top cutlery tray but it may cause adjustment in the second basket. On bottom basket I like the plate guard separators and the pieces that come out or fold down. My stock and soup pots go in that flat space. Two key cycles. I need china & crystal. I also loved Express (45-50 mins) which my Optima had. I would not get a machine without either of those. Some people don't need china & crystal but it's another shorter, lukewarm wash for less dirty loads. But c&c seems to be in that 2nd-3rd tier DW and up. I didn't feel I needed more than 6 cycles. I basically use 3-4 of them most of the time: Normal, Normal Plus, Pots & Pans, China/Crystal. I used express a lot on my Optima for daytime loads (I don't have it now on my older machine). Adjustable center basket. There are clips that allow it to be raised and lowered. Very useful. Lights. My current dw doesn't have them but my new Miele washer & dryer do. It's one big improvement I would get and pay more for. But not necessary for everyone. If you don't want lights, then it looks like you're eliminating the whole Diamond range (someone correct me if this is wrong). After these factors, the consideration has a lot to do with door style and control placement which is a dominant force on various lines. It's more important than you'd think. I like the hidden ones on the top of the door -- my current dw has a cabinet panel and it blends beautifully. Previously I had a ss panel with hidden controls. But with hidden, I need to look for the red light that comes on when the DW is working -- that's just below the counter. If you want to track it, you may want a front panel. You can eliminate a lot of confusion by choosing control placement and panel/no panel first. Then start to look at features -- it gets easier. We have a whole house softener. You call them and they program the machine to disable the softener. I've never used salt -- when we had the Optima our city water was perfect and salt wasn't needed. Same thing -- disabled the internal softener. That, to me, should not be a selection point. If you feel you need 2 machines, don't overlook their 18-inch machine. It's not as compact as a dish drawer but it will hold a ton and might be a good compromise over 2 full sizes. Hope that helps you fine it down, at least on the first round. When you get some target machines, post the choices and folks may comment. Lots of happy Miele users here.

patty_cakes: I agree that the pillows should have some gold in them. Absolutely. I like the blue walls, but prefer the ivory ones, I think. lovinlifesc: Yes, my3dogs has generously and very kindly offered to make the pillows I need, so I need to make my decision--pronto! squirrel: I tried a pillow just like that! It's an "almost-but-not-quite." I think the pillow needs a bit of red, at least a touch. Thank you. les: I was half-kidding. I do appreciate everyone's feedback. Very much. :) I did, however, try your suggestion of the LR pillow on the bed and--I'll be damned--I think it's the answer! I am SO not good at lateral thinking. Would it be weird to have the same pillow on the bed as on the sofa? Anyway, here are the new pics with the sofa pillows on the bed. What does everybody think? If you like it, do you think there should be one or two pillows? I'm really kind of loving it--are you listening, funky? LOL

Are you someone who will be irritated if you look at your pretty glass doors and the shelves that show behind them do not line up with the muntins? Because the optimal shelf spacing for storing items isn't often the same spacing as muntins. Are you someone who really hates doing detailed cleaning work with Q tips and toothpics? Because you'll have to do that on your muntins once every 6-12 months or so depending on your environment and home's HVAC sytem. Are you someone on the modern side of the transitional style or the traditional side of transitional? You can swing transitional either way depending on the lighting and other choices, but which way do you want your "bones" to lean? What type of glass do you plan to use? That can make a big difference! A single pane of "antique lace" glass can look both modern and traditional at the same time, while obscuring the interior objects so you don't have to be so neat. Clear glass could actually look more modern in this situation! Muntins and ribbed glass done both horizontally and vertically could also look really traditional and modern at the same time. The actual glass itself is a BIG part of the equation!

I'm glad you said you're going to work with an architect. This is a series of zigs and zags and it seems like a lot of twists and turns where nothing relates to one another. I understand about having divisions between rooms, but there's a difference between having separation between rooms and making a maze to get into and out of each room. For example, how do you enter the exercise/home office room? And a 7' hallway to get to the master bedroom suite? What is the 7' x 6' room off the master closet without a door? Do you really want a powder room that you can practically see into from the breakfast area? Honestly I could go on and on. You need an architect.