All of the windows you see in the size charts from the various companies are available at no particular premium for the different sizes other than the obvious fact that larger windows cost more and the larger they are, the less they cost per square inch of glass area. For instance, the most expensive Andersen double-hung is their largest one but it is also the cheapest per square inch of glass area. Andersen also sells their "cottage style" (smaller upper sash) windows at about 13% less than the equivalent regular style of the same size. So, first you should determine the amount of glass you want, then the desirable head and sill heights, and then size the window widths in standard sizes to achieve that glass area with as few windows as possible, in reasonable proportions, and then consider making them cottage style.

You may be able to get some Simonton's or Soft-Lite's in the upper end of that range depending on size and options.Typically standard sized windows are only in box stores and are of lower quality.I wam assuming this price range is for the window only and no install.Shop around, prices will vary.

Crate and Barrel carries some Lee Industries sofas, which I've found to be well made. I believe the annual C+B 15 percent off upholstery sale is currently on. Designer Rosa Beltran has a new-ish store in Los Angeles, Clad Home, and sells semi/custom sofas for what seem like reasonable prices. Here are some of her blog posts on her furniture: here, and here. If I lived in the U.S. I'd love to try one of her sofas. This sort of dovetails with the recent threads on Ikea and sad, bad, cheap furnishings. Living where I do in Canada, six hours north of the U.S. border and hours from the nearest big city, my sofa choices are exceedingly limited. Even for Crate and Barrel, we had to have it shipped to friends in the city, because we live outside the urban delivery area, and then pick it up on our own; fortunately, we live in a part of North America where people tend to drive trucks and own trailers. Ideally I would have had my old Altman's sofa reupholstered, but I couldn't find an upholsterer I could trust AND afford.

Windows should be chosen on more than just energy impacts. Generally, windows that are more efficient are better made. This means they will last longer and have smoother operable functions. Generally, better made windows have better sightlines, meaning less frame material that blocks the window opening. Architecturally driven homes have a better feel, often due to the extra attention given to the visual effects of window design. David, your often given anecdote is relevant but I feel it's misleading. It implies air-infiltration is not important for cooling climates which isn't true. It may be true for your specific situation with narrow variables but ignores reality of most builds here and effects of latent loads or humidity impacts on comfort, HVAC equipment and building durability. Air-infiltration is more complicated than percentage impacts on simple energy use. 1.5-2.5% air-infiltration impact on energy costs seems low, and only applies to new, relatively efficient construction which presumably compares an Energy star example to a new home that meets current building code (BIG if). There is a relatively small difference between Energy Star and airtightness that codes are supposed to enforce. Most new homes are still not blower door tested and enforced minimums are not stringent compared to high-performance construction. I think most estimates for air-infiltration effect on cooling loads of efficient construction start at 5% but can still go as high as 20%. Until most homes are being proven airtight by blower doors, it's cavalier to make any assumptions on these details. This Florida Solar Energy center resource claims "outdoor air infiltration being by far the largest contributor to this air conditioning load" for typical Florida homes. This Building Green Resource uses chart suggesting typical homes in Houston have an air infiltration impact on cooling loads of 31%. Both examples break out the latent portions of air infiltration and this is the complicated part of the picture. These increased humidity loads have big impacts on comfort, short-cycling of HVAC equipment and potential of moisture problems in hidden building cavities. Unlike other parts of cooling load impacts, air-infiltration is relatively cheap to improve. It's the lowest hanging fruit in both existing construction and new, efficient construction.