I had a master bath with no window for almost 30 years. It didn't bother me at the time, but when I had the choice of designing my own home, I made sure there was a window in the master bath and another in the WIC. I love having natural light! However, I also have SunTunnels (Velux) in the 2nd floor bath, the stairwell to the second floor, and 2 in the kitchen. I couldn't figure out how to get one in the powder room when we were building, and it really bugs me to have it dark. Now that we're in, I can see that I could have made it work if I'd just changed the 2nd floor bathroom plan around somewhat. DH really didn't want ANY, so I didn't push the powder room one, and it's one of my chief regrets. So, if you can do a window with a private view, I'd do it. If not, I'd definitely put in a Solatube or SunTunnel, the two brands that we thought were the best. Be sure to check out the differences between rigid and flexible, the possible lengths, and the outside appearance--SunTunnels have a more flush model if it will show on the front side of the house. Anne

I'm calling this final until my next meeting with the GC: Deke, my current closet door is only 24", so I'm happy I'm gaining some space! Kirk, a towel warmer on the wall between the shower and entry door. I have almost 3' there, and the towel warmer in my current bathroom is 20" and pretty sufficient, so that's a go. Then a regular towel bar (also probably 20") on the wall between the tub and window. I'll see about doing a mock-up, but I'm picturing getting out of the shower -- with the entry door closed -- and having a pretty big space in front of me. Is your concern the space between the open shower door and the wall between the bath/bedroom? If the scale in the program is accurate, it's about 3'10" -- just using a tape measure, that feels like a lot of room to me. Maybe I'm not getting your question :)? Here's the current closet plan too -- I'm losing 10" of tall hanging space but gaining 110"+ of short! I might turn the double-hanging section on wall B into more long, or maybe make the drawers in B only 24" instead of the current 30". I love the hamper/linen wall A :). And finally, some 48" vanities -- the next to last one is the 55" one I can't use. My dilemma -- I really like the open shelf on 3 and 4, but really like the green glass on the others. Haven't found that combo yet in the size I want! Thanks for the ongoing dialogue -- very helpful. Here is a link that might be useful: Vanities on Flickr

Thanks guys for your continued input. I am making a simple turkey dinner for the family (It is Thanksgiving in this part of the continent) so can't play around with furniture arrangements until later in the week or next weekend. However, I plan to rework the furniture arrangement multiple time with my little furniture cut-outs to see what I can do in both the great room and the dining room if the window seat moves there. I will post some alternatives later this week and hope you will come back to see them when the post pops up again. Here are few replies: Oakleyok, Your idea of placing a love seat in front of the window seat had not occurred to me at all. I will try out your idea with my furniture cut-outs. I agree that we should have room for a couch facing the TV if we lose the end table. The plant idea on a window ledge is great, although I tend to send plants into palliative care quite quickly LOL. I do see the family using the window seat for reading. Given we are in Canada it is rarely too hot or too sunny near a window. Thanks again for your help. Lavender_lass, Wow that dining room bump out is so beautiful!! Sadly, we won't be able to do that at this point in construction as the brick cladding is already on the back of the house. Also, we have a climber rather close to that side of the back now that the addition is done, and I wouldn't want to reduce the passage between climber and house any more. Yet, I will draw up a window seat in the dining room as I like that look. I was going to make a shallow shelf for decorative plates in the south/west corner of the dining room (top right corner). Maybe I can make some sort of combo window seat/plate shelf. I just have to find a way to accommodate that smaller dining room window on the west side. Thanks for your help and inspiration. Rosie, I am totally with you on disliking the "turn your back on family" seating arrangements. I do think Lavender's arrangement improves upon that problem. I am not worried about anyone walking in front of the TV. We don't even have cable, so mostly use the TV for movies once in a while. The kids use the one in the basement with their X-box a bit more frequently. I will do just as your aptly described to try every possible arrangement with a variety of furniture. Maybe the TV has to move so we are facing the dining room more rather than having our backs to it. Do you think we need a new spot for the TV?? I hate to think about moving that fireplace other than scooting it back a bit as the vent is installed through bricks, but if it has to move....don't tell DH just yet. Thanks ever so much for your kind help, Rosie. Carol P.S. Please come back everyone to see the various alternatives I post by next weekend. In meantime, if you have any more ideas I am all ears.

Midwest gal, this particular home is 2700 sqft. We want to be between 2400 and 2800. Plenty of space for four. mrspete, I tried to figure out a way to get the laundry room in the hearth area and couldn't get it to work. Did come up with an alternate idea that someone mentions above. Natural light in the master...good catch! I'm going to see if we can get another window in there. dekeoboe, Good suggestion but there may be unused space if I slide up the powder room. I'm not sure the angled wall is much of an issue. I'll surely pay more attention to the powder room when we walk it again. bpathhome, I think we're leaning towards keeping the hearth room and use it as you mentioned..but actually add a fireplace! We'll take a closer look at the mudroom. lakeviewgirl, We're going to propose exactly that. We're going to remove the pocket office, square off the WIC so its a walk through path. Full counter across with laundry tub and cabinetry below and then washer and dryer next door. Cabinet above. WIC would have a door accessing this path. More daylight from the hearth room can flood into the area as well. In between the tub and shower we'll add a pocket door so we can get into the WIC. Going to have some extra space where the powder room sink was though... bry911, Interesting comment about the over and cooktop proximity. I asked my wife about that and she said it doesn't really matter for us as we don't do alot of cooking, lol. Is there something more to it? We'll definitely take a closer look at the angled walls. Any specific reason the bedroom entrance near the kitchen is a deal breaker? It does seem different than what I'm used to but can't think of a specific reason as to why it would be a negative. littlebug, On board with the laundry change! We thought about shaving off the bump out to save cost but couldn't envision how to utilize the space then. The dining room would be close to 29' long at that point as well. I like the built in suggestion with chair but we don't read lol chisue, All plans are ranch so the stairs would lead to the basement. As of now the left side would face north, backside face east, etc. Good point on the closet placement with regards to windows. We'll have to look at that more carefully when we walk it again. The windows in the master bath are high up as attached. Appreciate everyone's feedback whether its positive or critical! Plenty good suggestions to think through. I'll post more pics and updates on the plans.