Okay, I'm asking forgiveness in advance for opinionated comments: In everyday living, exterior stairs get wet, slippery, cold, icy. And, unless exquisitely designed (to be a statement of elegance), they look tacky. Statements of elegance are quite often inconvenient to live with, although one can bask in the initial admiration of visitors. I know that in some areas, exterior stairs are a... neighborhood tradition; a statement of necessity. And all too often, they look it. I think the architect's foyer is rather big, but oh my, the opportunity to make a decorating statement!! OTOH, I suspect 12x14 may be in proportion to the house. The architect needs to bend his brain so that the top of the staircase does not interfere with your views. I do hope someone has realized that an elevator would be of even greater use, especially if anyone breaks a leg, brings in the groceries or hauls out the trash. And if DW wants a traditional entry, an elevator could certainly take one up to the usual doorway.

I found something that works! I have a double vanity with two surface mounted medicine cabinets 24 inches wide with a 5 inch depth from the wall and for the life of me I couldn't find a suitable light to extend OVER and beyond the cabinet frame. I found a track light with three bulbs that I think will work but I can mount them on the wall above each cabinet rather than on the ceiling. I ordered on line from Lowe's: "3LT BRUSHED NICKEL FINISH FROSTED GLASS Item 20161 Model EC1431BN.

larke, that's a great idea to call local galleries on what they use. I definitely would want something simple, but aesthetically pleasing like the lighting in an art gallery. I am also a little worried about it looking odd. Honestly, I am not a big fan of track lighting on beams. While my beams are not terribly spectacular right now, they were one of the things we liked about the home and I feel like putting the track on them would take away from the beams. wi-sailorgirl, do you have any pictures of your lighting on one of your exposed trusses? Maybe I just haven't ever seen it done properly. I definitely would not want to do just regular track lighting. I would do something intended for the wall that stands out from the wall a few inches. I've seen some in an office building that looked fairly simple but pretty. I am really struggling to find pictures, but here are some ideas of the types of wall-mounted track lighting that I am considering.

My husband spoke with the tile guy yesterday. He uses Lacticrete/epoxy grout which he felt was going to work as form of waterproofing in itself to keep water from penetrating behind tile--but is willing to use liquid waterproofing medium over the Durock. He also said that his bid did not include building the pan since the plumbers have to jack current slab and relocate drain from its current location (for the original tub) into middle of new floor space for shower...the plumbers are supposed to build the pan with preslope... he said they/plumbers would put in vinyl liner and a conventional drain....These two guys have done many projects together before and guess they know how the other operates. We didn't see anything in plumber's bid about building the shower pan so we have asked for clarification but no answer yet. I don't have problem using the waterproofing liquid over the pan vs vinyls liner...What is price difference in using Kerdi or Lacticrete drain over conventional? The tile guy told my husband that the vinyl liner should go up the shower sides about 10 inches and then be tucked behind the Durock....(if my husband heard right)... Is that approved practice? I thought there was supposed to be gap between those two surfaces that was filled with silicone--that they didn't touch...am I mistaken? In case they decide to go that route... Should/can the exposed ends of the Durock be waterproofed?