There are innumerable ways this could be played with, but I'm just trying to show you an idea of simple, straightforward geometry for the deck without any funky connections or gimmicks. The "octagonal" format lends itself to transitioning space between rectilinear architecture and curvilinear landscape. In this case, the dining area is one level down. With such a concept--and careful working of the grade--you could eliminate the need for a railing around the dining area and not have it seem obstructive of the yard view. Naturally, it could all be built as one level if that were preferred and details would change accordingly. Low, built-in seating flanking the hot tub could protect the deck edge yet not obstruct view. The idea of deck/patio combination is still viable. Karin explained how you could get a feel for how things would seem by mocking them up. It's the best way. Bright string or somesuch run at the proper level would be an easy way to create a realistically placed edge of something. After exploring it some, I find the "kitchen that allows you to face the yard while working at it" has the down side of being obstructive of the yard from the house view so not worth the trade-off in my estimation. A possible way around it is a larger deck. Another thought about it is a kitchen island that rolls about for use and getting it out of the way when not in use. Maybe you're content with it as is, where is. I'd bump the walk farther from the garage. I'm not working with any scale--just eyeball--but the planting space there seems too tight.

carraig, How fun! I'm not an architect, but I have designed and over-seen the construction of multiple additions. First, are you modest or not? I'd say not, if you want a shower for two, but all those doors....You can gain a much greater sense of space if you eliminate most of the doors and the walls from both ends of the lavatories. I know you didn't mention a tub, but if you ever want to re-sell or grow old there, you may wish you had one in the master. Here are ideas that include a tub and side by side W & D. CLOSET: Change the access of the WI to the far end of the BR wall. Build a wall at the pass through end of the closet and flip the "U" shaped clothes rods to the other end or add a stack of shelves between rods. LAUNDRY: Move W & D to the new closet/hall wall. Hang shelves/cabinets above W&D for linens, detergents etc. Close off with doors or you may find you like to do without the laundry doorsÂit makes it feel roomier when using it, plus it gives you wider access for repairs. You can put laundry baskets on the W&D and teach the family to sort as they bring dirty clothes there. I have baskets marked "white, medium, dark and red" on mine. HALL: Remove both of the current laundry walls. Make the laundry area a hall, from MBR ot bath,against the outside wall and add a window--light tends to expand an area & the light from the window will save on electric bill, help with ventilation and light when doing laundry. The hall gives great access to W&D and bath from outside/MBR. BATH: Gain almost 2' by removing interior walls and using a 5' vanity with center drawer stack below. Add a shelf under mirrors for more work space, if you use a lot of stuff-works great for us. Toilet paper, tissue, etc, can go below sinks or in cabinet above stool Trade vanity and stool spaces. You will directly face vanity as you enter from the hall. A window could be installed on your left. Put door/arch where W&D-stool wall is now. At far end, have tub on long wall at rt angle with shower (all-glass will open up the space) on far wall or the other way around,depending on the length you want for each. BEDROOM: Now, your bed can be centered with the extra length of the wall due to the laundry.However, I would center it on the long wall to the right for the following reasons: easier access to WI closet, more accessible for clean laundry to be put away, bed can be focal point from any of your doorways, won't directly face light from window when trying to sleep, have a nice wall opposite for furniture/TV, can have larger night stands/chests /w lamps. Remember good vents and fans, non-skid tile and tub/shower, a side light for each end of vanity and one in center and lights at the far end will be key. jan

I think it is a marvelous idea to get a huuge garage. These days, they really don't allow enough space per car, and the amount lf space with the swing of the open door plus the person and their grocery bag or large purse, etc. And that you want to accomodate your sister is wonderful! Please remember that handicapped parking spaces need extra space on either side of a very large space for loading and unloading. (That's what the blue striped area is for that you can't park in even if you can park in the handicapped space itself.) and space behind the parking space for loading and unloading if that is how the individual enters the vehicle (for example via wheelchair ramp.) You might want to plan for space for your children if they will have cars (do you want them to be late for school because they have to spend a half hour digging out their cars from the snow and de-icing the windshield?) or for a caretaker, if your sister will need a care-taker. And then there are all the gardening tools, and bicycles, etc. That's at least half a garage's worth. More if you have a riding mower, snow plow, etc. If you don't want a gigantic garage, and you have the land, you might want to consider a shed on your property to store those items. They have them ready designed from the big-box stores, or have one designed for you , and have the exterior made to match your house. I watched an episode of This Old House in which they added electrical power to an existing storage shed . https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZHUY6SD6SsM I would save money on the design if it is not visible from the street, but design the interior storage so things are where they can be easily seen and accessed and put away by everyone who will be using them. Including children. We can create great storage systems, but if the children can't reach them for or read the labels, that's useless. About the garage, I think it is difficult to make sharp right turns into and out of a garage, and I would avoid a garage you have to back into or out of. You might consider an architect.

We have tried to think of any other possibility and it seems like we are left with this option. We can’t go forward because of setbacks and can’t go back because there is a 15 foot drop so we built a chain wall and pool on the original design. Expanding to the west seems to be the only option. The playroom is for our 4 grands that are currently age two months to 5 years. We watch them daily and when we built the house 6 years ago we had zero grand children. All of their toys are currently piled in our office and we are desperate for added room. The garage conversion would be an additional room with a Murphy bed so it could have multiple uses. The discontinuing of our current roof color was another curve ball but the new shade would just be a little darker so a possibility.