Because of the edge style and the color range, the pavers in the photo look like clay brick pavers, not concrete pavers. But there are sooooo many different pavers made that it would be difficult to home in on an exact model and style number. Check with clay brick suppliers in your area and see if they can help.

We did this!!! We live in Maine. The 1956 house we bought had a "sunroom" that looked like it had originally been simply a concrete-pad patio area. Sometime in the 80's it had been converted to living space by adding 4" framed walls, windows, roof, baseboard heat, woodstove, and carpet on the concrete pad. It was VERY COLD in winter, needless to say. We did not have the budget to completely rebuild it, so we kept the roof. (We did have spray-in-place foam installed to create a "hot roof", then sheetrocked an normal cathedral ceiling over it.) The roof was propped up and the walls removed. A proper framed floor was built on top of the concrete pad, and insulated. New proper 6" exterior walls were framed and insulated. New windows and door were installed (actuually re-used some of the existing Andersen casements we'd removed), and the interior was finished like a normal space, with hardwood floors, baseboard heat, etc. We then removed the old exterior wall that used to separate the house from the "sunroom" and opened it up to one large space. It's very snug and comfortable now!! We did have an architect and engineer evaluate the existing concrete slab to make sure it was OK to build the new floor/walls on. I can post photos if you want.

cpartist - I actually read some of your thread in action the other day. I was routing for the pergola. I think your home will be beautiful and it was great how you had so much help! About the bedroom, I really wanted a 18x14 bedroom and have gotten it (well, close) after several drafts. I think the closets are labeled correctly. I might try to make the closets and laundry room bigger, depending on how estimates come back (I've sent this to one contractor so far). I'm trying not to make anything under the second floor bigger because the second floor is perfect, but the first floor ends basically where the master bedroom is and the part from our closet to garage is one story, so I have more freedom there. fishcow - yes, that's a good idea. I started looking at pinterest pics as suggested above and there are some great ways to hide a desk. But then I saw the kitchen/dining reveal for lmgch and loved her simple desk/bar area.

Thank you, mama-goose! I was hoping you might chime in as your suggestions always make so much sense to me. I have been trying to figure out if we could fit storage along the south wall if we have an island with seating. It might be pretty tight; as you said, minimum clearances. With both work areas behind the island, we would probably like closer to 46-48 inches between the island and the north wall cabinets. That leaves only 36-40 inches to walk behind seats at the island. Do you all think that is enough? Another option is to just run the pantry 4 feet or so from the east (right hand) wall and maybe have a bookshelf or cabinet at the right side end of the island rather than seating there, as Karenseb suggested. So no storage behind the island seating. I also like that this gives us the option of doing a cooktop/wall oven combo. if we decide it makes sense. Good food for thought! I still am not sure an island with seating is what we want in this kitchen, but that may be because we have never had one. I also do not find the seating as comfortable as regular table- height seating. Have others found comfortable counter-height stools? OK, I am off to stand in my kitchen and look at layouts again.