Looks-wise, of the two under consideration, I'm thinking the AGA. I know the O and M is later, but I think it's better to go later than earlier, if right on the date doesn't work. Houses do evolve. I never calibrated or worried about BTUs when I had the O and Ms. The people who refurbished them had them set up with 3/4" gas lines and they had POWER. None of this was my doing. Coincidentally, I believe all three were the same model and had the grill-a-vator (sp?) broiler. I've not felt anything as solid, except for a real La Cornue. However, I do understand your thinking about this. I have one question: How often do you think you would use a rotisserie? I regret not having thought of this in my own kitchen. Is a rotisserie worth giving up the look you want? This post was edited by kitchendetective on Fri, Mar 1, 13 at 11:56

If you're talking about the bathroom off the Rumpus room, the only thing I think you really need to do is make it a tiny bit wider. I would bring the bathroom wall out even with the edge of the Rumpus Room's built-in cabinets so that there is a little more "standing room" in front of the toilet and the shower is a little bigger. Then, if window placement will allow you to do so, for the convenience of guests staying in the guest room, you might mirror image the whole bathroom vertically so that the sink (and door) are up close to the guest room and the shower is down by the built-in cabinets. That would save your guests a few steps to reach the toilet in the middle of the night. Now stop obsessing! There ARE only so many ways to arrange a toilet, a shower, and a vanity. LOL! The whole upstairs looks fantastic. Great theater room, nice large play room with plenty of room for a bar sink and fridge and storage of games/toys, a balcony that'll be big enough to actually sit out on to enjoy the view, AND easy access to the unfinished attic! I think you've done good! Now how about having your architect revise the elevation drawings and post those just so we can see them? I'm looking forward to watching you build.

Samjal, I hope you build as a big a house as you and your family want and can comfortably afford! How great that you are so close to your large extended family. Given your lack of building experience, I agree you should not manage this process yourself. You will not be able to spot subtle things being done wrong. Building a home is a tough and complicated job. You need to find a builder/general contractor you like and has a good reputation and let them do their job. It may seem like it costs more to do it this way. But I believe you actually will spend way more than you expect if you try to manage it yourself, due to mistakes and things that need to be redone and delays. Not to mention the amount of time you need to be available to manage the job and frustrations. I am still confused about the financing. If you own the land outright, great, you do not have to pay for it. But if you pay for the home build instead of financing, you need to come up with the entire cost of the build. And do not forget to leave $ for landscaping, furniture, increase in property tax once the house is built, living costs while it is being built especially if it takes longer than expected, moving costs. As far as the design, work on it until it is just right for you. Owning the land is a great headstart. Congratulations on the opportunity to build your dream home! I do look forward to hearing more along the way if you are willing to post updates. Lafdr

Hi, I have lots of these plants, now, but still very few that bloom. I was given one two years - that was in bloom - and I think that is the only one that blooms - or blooms reliably. To tell you the truth, I have so many broms that I haven't kept track. Most of the others around here just fill space in my brom arrangements. (I am not a one-brom-one-pot gal... my broms are arranged in planters like flower arrangements... to me, it is more pleasing to the eye.) Good luck with yours! I hope you have huge pink flowers!