I already know what I'm dealing with in my builder. Unfortunately my banker basically refused to allow me to fire him months and months ago when I first became fully aware that he really knew less about building a house than I do. Banker was concerned that if I fired him we would wind up in litigation and the house would never get finished. Since then I've been trying to make sure things get done right but then he pulls another stupid trick (like this one) that it never occurred to me to warn him against doing before he could do it. Question now is: Will the windows all need to be removed so the sill plates can be cleaned out? That would probably involve removing and replacing all the Hardie trim around the windows which as already been painted. Anyone know if it might be possible to reach in with something like a dental tool and break up and remove all that polyseal?

nice to see your post because i am struggling with some of the same ?s right now. definitely agree that you should run whatever backsplash material you choose all the way up to window trim and all the way up cooktop wall. when the granite guy comes would it help to do a little mock up with a granite piece and a piece of your tile and see if you like either one more than the other? with such beautiful windows and views you may find that after a short while you don't even notice the outlets. i'm not quite as far along as you are but it looks like i will have about the same amount of space between my windows and counter tops. my granite has a lot of black so i have been planning on taking the granite directly up to the window trim and using black outlet covers but the fat lady hasn't sung yet so who knows. on another note,i am driving myself crazy worrying about the lights above my counters. do you by any chance have recessed lights above you counters on your window walls? if so,would you mind sharing how far out from the window wall are they ( 18" 22" 24"?) i think they are usually set 24 to 25 inches from the wall when you are lighting counters and have upper cabinets to worry about but i don't know if it's the same when you have all that natural light and no shadows from cabinets. good luck tomorrow and if you have time would love to know what you decide.

The windows are Loewen (aluminum clad and wood) with divided lites and grills that look truly like multiple panes of glass. They are similar to Marvin. I really like muntins and don't mind the detailed look. There are many historical homes in the bay area with grid patterns and they look lovely. Hopefully it won't be as dramatic in real life- the dark lines in the cad drawing may make the facade look busier than it actually is. The nicest houses do show consistent patterns but there is such diversity out there. I love the looks below. Beverly- thank you for the photoshopped option! It is a great idea and one that I didn't consider. My only hesitancy is that out of all the grid patterns - the two over one (upside down 'T')- is my least favorite. Functionally it is probably the best, easiest to clean, least expensive, and best to keep the view. I don't mind 3 over one- but our windows are so narrow that the lites look very skinny. Is there another simplified pattern that you can think of? We can't change the front door location but the 'official' front door is door 'I' - the only single door on the lower floor. Front door location is confusing but that is what the architect designed and she felt there was a need for a 'formal' front entrance. The is a fence and paved walkway in front of the house that should help orient people not familiar with the house. Our family will probably enter through the breezeway doors 'L' - closest to the garage- or through the garage. Here are full elevations of the house including the breezeway and garage.

I would do top-down/bottom-up shades. You'll keep the look simple and you'll be able to lower the top half to see the night sky. They are also available with room darkening fabrics.