I sent off a bunch of window questions last night. We'll see what I get back. Dh is ready to get this thing started and I am well...nervous. gbsim-thank you for speaking to flow and thanks for the info on the sound proofing! We don't watch much TV now but I suppose as they get older they will! Pocket doors - I am hesitant to use them in higher humidity areas - such as bathrooms because I fear they will warp or 'stick' or something. I have heard some bad stories of doors in those areas so I was trying to avoid them. As for the master I stayed away there because I think sliding the door would be significantly louder than swinging and softly latching a swing door. Anyone have any experience with the pockets in bathrooms? Ontario (hello from across the lake, and well head south west a bit, lol)! Thanks for the pics-very cool! I am passing all of these window tidbits on to dh as he is the window decision maker. We have decided to divide and conquer. I have never seen anything like those. First time building so you never really know what's out there besides the 'standard' doublehung/casement/slide by. lyfia-I know - only slideby windows I had experience with were in college and they were cheap junk! So I was really leery of that but I think they have come a long way and I was shocked at how many there are around now that I have actually been paying attention to other houses (new and older builds) around. I'll be honest - I have a hard time visualizing these drawings in 3d. I know the covered porch is gabled and the other small porch is cantilevered but I can't really tell how the dining area roof ties in. I am still teetering on that angled window. I really don't have any place to hang much of anything - even a clock! I'm not a heavy decorator/fashionista so it mostly works in my favor but it would be nice to have a little bit of wall space. Dh is leaving that one up to me. We have a 'bump out' like that in our current house and you are right - they are much colder than the rest of the floor come winter. That is another reason why I am teetering with it. I am thinking about that very thing - adding a window to the north side of the dining room and removing that angled window. :( I need to just make up my mind! Renovator - thanks for the explanation (and for being gentle since we aren't using an architect :) ). I really appreciate your explanation. I have asked for clarification on the basement and boys bedroom windows to be sure we meet code and safety requirements. I will double check the dormer - I think it is that size because it's actually real and not a facade but at the same time we don't need any water or ice melt issues. I think we are close to signing off. I am just waiting for his feedback on the window sizes/adjustments I sent last night. Lisa

I don't think you can add a shower to the pool bath -- not in the current footprint. I do think the pool bath looks awfully minimal. I'd consider taking in the adjacent linen closet so that at least the doors don't come within inches of touching one another. Since this bath isn't for actual bathing -- thus, less storage is needed -- I'd go with a pedestal sink; I'm not a huge fan of them overall, but in this mini-bath, it'll enlarge the room visually. You have the safe room -- admittedly, we don't have those in my area, so I really don't "get it" -- but I see that right next to it you have an essentially same-sized laundry room. I'd consider building the laundry to "safe room code" so that it could function as a laundry every day . . . but in an emergency, it IS your safe room. If you store emergency supplies (i.e., water) in the safe room, you could easily install shelves above the hanging space and use that area for emergency items. It'd save you some square footage . . . and you might get those his and hers closets without sacrificing anything from your plan. I'm not usually quick to jump on the "this house'll be so dark" bandwagon -- but I think this house's public areas are going to be dark. Between the foyer and bedroom covering the front side and the covered porch filtering light in from the back side, you'd better invest in good lighting! I also second the idea of widening the pantry. I personally like the idea of a small-to-moderate sized kitchen, but it only works when you have ample pantry nearby for storage. Your pantry is okay as is, but if you add just ONE MORE FOOT of width, you'd almost double your storage space. It's a huge value /bargain in the world of square footage. I don't see how you can pass that up. That outdoor fireplace is nice, but it's a very expensive luxury -- several thousand dollars, even when backed up against the other fireplace. Lots of people say they never use theirs -- are you sure you will? Like a number of other people, I think the playroom is a disaster. It's going to be dark, and it has too many doors -- furniture placement will be essentially impossible. I understand the idea of wanting a "kids' living room", but I don't see this one working out nicely. Thumbs up on the kids' bedrooms (though I think I'd double the windows in #2 and #3). Good size, good closets, good bathroom access.

The plan is well worked out but there are some minor issues. I would flip the power room so the door is farther from the entry area and there is less of a view of the toilet when the door is open. That allows the vent stack a more direct route through the second floor too. The wall that contains that stack should be thicker. Is the fireplace gas? If so, the vent should be shown through the wall or passing through the second floor. Perhaps the pocket door in the hall could be closer to the entry so the basement stair door would be in the back-of-the-house and the hall shorter. The end view of the desk should be carefully designed since it will be in full view of guests at the dining table. On the second floor you might try to rearrange the bathroom and laundry (?) so the toilet and lavs are not against the wall of bedroom #3. The same goes for the master toilet. I would round the prominent corner of the first step of the main stairway. If the windows are double-hungs, I would put a bit more space between them; tight mulled windows is another detail made possible by modern manufacturing methods and it loses a lot of traditional charm. Even if the windows are casements I would avid putting a mullion at the center of the sink. An awning window will work better there. The wall between the living room and the dining room across from the entry corner will be an awkward finish/decorating challenge.

Janet, you have my sympathy as well. I would only add that you should pick colors that make you feel happy. I know the trend is toward neutrals, but if this is your long-term home, I would not worry about painting for resale, but to choose colors you really like and that flatter you. Look in your closets and see what colors are prevalent -- that is a good clue. Several years ago, I lost both my mom and dad just a few months apart, and shortly after the loss of a very dear friend. I was devastated as you might imagine. Fortunately for me, DH and I had just purchased a fixer-upper, and we had always agreed that we wanted to paint in colors we loved. We ended up painting in a warm palette of spring greens and warm, buttery yellows, and every time I stepped into the house after work, my spirits lifted. We just sold the home, and despite my agents suggestion that we "soften" the paint colors a bit, we did not. We had multiple offers after 5 days on the market it, so our color choices didn't even hurt us financially, and I am convinced that that they helped me through a very difficult time. My best wishes to you and your family.