Autumn, I didn't see your response on that previous thread -- but I read it now -- thanks! I like your built-ins, and when I asked the question I was thinking we'd keep the fireplace in its original position (as laid out in the original floor plan), but then I decided I like the idea of the living room stretching out a bit wiiiiiiider, which meant we turned the living room and lost the solid wall for built-ins. Since I've had no feedback on moving the fireplace, I'm thinking it's an okay idea? Yes, I definitely have things to store in the great room. I'm thinking of an electronics cabinet in the corner by the loveseat; we'll run a PVC pipe through the wall during construction to manage cords. Remember I said I'm married to an engineer? Yeah, we have stuff in an electronics cabinet; however, it currently fits in a horrible-looking 36" wide three-shelf cabinet, so it'll fit in a similar-sized-but-much-nicer-looking cabinet in this position. This cabinet also currently holds our large DVD collection. I don't save DVD plastic boxes; rather, I store them in CD "wallets" like this: We have a case for Family movies, another for Action movies, another for Adult dramas, another for Cartoons, others that hold series DVDs, etc., etc., etc. Then we have a 5x7 binder that lists where everything can be found. It's a system I invented maybe 6-8 years ago, and it keeps our movie collection in a significantly smaller space. Love it. We're also a big board game family. Right now they're stored in the office, which is adjacent to the great room. I have a wall of kitchen cabinets in the office, and our board games (and puzzles) take up three lower kitchen cabinets. Remember I said we're going with a large bookcase in the entryway? I'm thinking closed cabinets on the lower half of that bookcase, and board games (and similar) will live there. Okay, the cut flowers can stay. I can't kill them. The program I'm using is HGTV's Home & Landscape Platinum Suite. I have no idea how it stacks up against other programs, but my husband bought it for me and I like it pretty well. As I said, this room is essentially the same size/shape as my current great room (only I currently have the kitchen to the left, and my new house will have the kitchen to the front of the house), so I can say with confidence that the room is large enough to "float" the loveseat comfortably. I am thinking that I'll have TWO areas prepped for a TV -- one over the fireplace and one on the wall shared with the secondary bedroom. I think I prefer the TV over the fireplace, but this will give me the option to move it later, if I wish. Yes, the initial post showed stairs, but I set out to talk about JUST the great room, so I didn't mention anything about stairs or bonus room ... but, as happens so often, the discussion wandered. Every house I've ever lived in has had a crawl space, so I'm assuming we're going that direction -- but I will listen to what our builder has to say. He will give us input on stairs based upon our specific placement on the lot. Here in the South, HVAC sits outside behind the house, usually behind lattice panels. Easy. We'll have a covered porch on the back side /Southern side of the house. We're going with retractable screens. We like the angle on the bathroom wall. We stayed in a rental condo recently that had a layout very close to this one, and we liked it very much. We like that the angle brings you into the room "angled towards" the most attractive items in the room: The tub and windows (still some discussion on the tub, but this is most likely "it"). We like that the sink, the most-used item in the bathroom, is RIGHT THERE when you open the door (but we're just not into the idea of repetitive sinks). We like that the toilet is partially hidden behind the door when you walk in, but it isn't crammed into a difficult-to-clean small closet. We aren't in doubt about this bathroom layout. We're going with 32" wide doorways, and -- again -- having just spent years acting as caretaker for my grandmother, we know this worked fine for her. We aren't in doubt on this topic. With the covered porch across the back, we're not overly worried about direct sun, but we do care about privacy in the evenings. I'll make my own drapes (I'm an excellent seamstress, though I hate to sew) and will suspend them from ceiling tracks. You're right to say that I should consider where they'll "stack" -- not a term I knew until just now! I'm thinking that if I pull the electronics cabinet back from the wall a few inches, that portion of the curtain will have space to "fold back" ... and the other two sides can scoot towards the grandfather clock. I'll think about that when I next look at the floor plan. I'm fine with the TV above the fireplace. We'll do a couple small, inconspicuous speakers, but they're not a major priority for us. Thanks again for your thoughts, all!

Could you please post a full-floor layout? It will give us a better idea of the flow of the floor as well as a better idea of how the Kitchen, DR, & LR relate to the rest of the house. What about windows? I don't see any on your second layout. Are you changing windows in the existing space? If not, are you willing to consider it? It would be very helpful to see where they are now - and that includes measurements. The following Kitchen Design FAQs may be helpful for understanding comments that may be coming your way shortly. Please read the "Layout Help" FAQ - it will explain about posting a measured layout (with all measurements) and the full-floor layout. I do think you stated your goals pretty well already. Layout Help: How do I ask for Layout Help and what information should I include? http://ths.gardenweb.com/discussions/2767033/how-do-i-ask-for-layout-help-and-what-information-should-i-include . Kitchen Design FAQs: Kitchen work zones, what are they? http://ths.gardenweb.com/discussions/2767031/kitchen-work-zones-what-are-they Aisle widths, walkways, seating overhangs, work and landing space, and others http://ths.gardenweb.com/discussions/2767035/aisle-widths-walkways-seating-overhangs-work-and-landing-space-an How do I plan for storage? Types of Storage? What to Store Where? http://ths.gardenweb.com/discussions/2767036/how-do-i-plan-for-storage-types-of-storage-what-to-store-where . Ice. Water. Stone. Fire (Looking for layout help? Memorize this first) http://ths.gardenweb.com/discussions/2699918/looking-for-layout-help-memorize-this-first

Neither inspo photo looks good. Sorry. I would give UP the fire, before I'd use the corner and most everyone who has tried it would tell you the same thing. Put a fire and smaller tv in this FORMAL space that will become the DEAD space.......unless it has a tv. Treat it as the escape space for you and hubby. Then just face the fact that a honkin" tv and console alongside a corner hearth......? Is basically a REVERSE of all the corner TELEVISIONS that were ripped out of bult-ins that surrounded center fire boxes, twenty five years ago. And a regret waiting to happen. Failing that? Build a SEE THROUGH and give up a totally open area behind your island, dividing great room space from kitchen. . Two feet deep, and five feet wide. Fire view both sides. Or adjust your front elevation left of entry door, center a fire, and windows on BOTH sides. Which means anything is better than the corner. Scale it down......and a lovely view from a centered bump /window on front elevation Use the loooooooog wall for the honkin black hole : ) even add a small tv above fire on kitchen side. Now THAT is honesty in living lol!. TV everywhere anyone may want to be.

Lower Level Floor Plan