I guess if one built an extension to a deck that was anything like "skinny" ... or "a plank," it would look odd. But these are the kinds of things homeowners come up with, not professional designers. Usually, we try to integrate necessities in ways that make them seem spacious, well-functioning and good looking. There are ways to do it even if you can't think of them. Design is a thinking process. A designer thinks through, in detail, how something will work out to its ultimate conclusion. Designers don't necessarily think of HOW something will be built. They are more concerned with when it is built, how it will BE. A subcontractor (which a landscaper is) implements a designer's plans. They think of HOW something will be built, not necessarily if it's going to be a great thing when it is built. (Though they can appreciate it if they want to.) They are concerned with getting the work finished and if it turns out to be not that great when it's done, as long as they've followed the plans and done the work according to specifications, it's not their fault. It would be the designer's mistake if the finished product does not work out as intended. Architects, engineers and designers design things. Contractors and subcontractors build those things. Sometimes, a person may take on both roles, being the designer and the subcontractor. In the landscape industry, it is relatively common for small-time landscapers to take on the role, without training, of designing, too. It can be because the quality level expected by the clientele is not all that sophisticated. Or it can be that a landscaper has an affinity for design and can do a pretty decent job of it. Sometimes a person has training and experience in designing and implementing and does a great job on all counts and has no trouble pleasing a sophisticated clientele. The problem posed in this thread requires a designer's expertise as there is a lot to be determined and thought through. If the designer has useful skills other than design, that's not a drawback.

Yes that's what I mean. It's exasperating! They waltz right past the bathroom and wash their grubby hands and then flick the water all over. Gah. I have been working on that issue for years and they aren't clueing in. Yesterday dh backed me up when again there they were at the sink and I said THAT MEANS YOU TOO. His jaw dropped, lol. My sink, MY SINK for food prep people. Get outta my space with those dirty hands! I think your long counter is in a perfect spot. It's close enough to be useful but it's not IN the kitchen per se. Thumbs up to that! Mine is more in the back entry and it's not as convenient. You certainly can put a utility sink in the garage - but I don't know about winter time if there would be a span of weather that you couldn't use it - here that would be the case unless there is a way to insulate it. Definitely would want it on an inside wall at the least. I think you need to evaluate what exactly you plan to use that W/D for and if you will be doing a lot of soaking or if that stuff would go upstairs to the other W/D and how frequently you'll be using this one. I have a utility sink by my W/D - had to fight for it as our bath is near and hubby thought it wasteful but when you have someone sick in the night or stains that need extra soaking it's 100% worth it to me. That is my humble opinion. That one time one of them had the flu in my mind made it worth the extra cost. I don't want that soaking in my sink - and they aren't deep enough anyway.

I do have a rug on the floor right now - it's one of those round black ones from Ikea at this link: http://bit.ly/1GiC51L I would like to find a new one to go in that space, something that won't compete so much with the Marimekko on the wall, but isn't too blah and won't show so much dirt if people wipe their shoes on it. I do have a doormat outside, but people don't wipe their feet on that and choose to wipe it on the indoor rug instead. It won't compete so much colour-wise with the large Marimekko panel that's there right now. OK, so if I swap out the coat rack/shelf that's there now with a coat rack tree with a small footprint and tucked it behind the door rather than have the door open up to the coat rack, then would that work? Would the Marimekko look fine where it is now in that case or should I then move it to the wall that the coat rack/shelf is on right now?

Hey Beverly.....From Desk area which is correct, the wall that has the DESK and SOFA has no windows, from the chair that's tucked into the corner...the next items is an electric fireplace, then beside it, is a upright accoustic piano, (spinet is a harpsichord, and I don't think these are made anymore)...I digress. The "current" tv size is a 42" (real width = 37"), this will change to a 60" TV (real width = 54") the wall that has the TV now is 84" Wide......where you have marked entrance, is the entrance, and the door where you marked is deck..is the balcony....i'm 8 floors up, facing SOUTH , Fully sunlight ALL day long, floods into the place, but I usually keep blinds closed in summer, because otherwise it just gets to HOT, even with 2 a/c's going on, we can soar up to 110F, and that's with 90 - 95% humidity (hint, walk outside, clothes stick to you in 10 minutes). Total width of room from Entrance (right) to Balcony (left) is 18 feet 9 inches. From the entrance door wall to the entrance of kitchen is (5foot 4inches) 64inches, from the kitchen exit to the window wall (dining area) across that is 7 feet (83 inches), from the TV wall to the SOFA wall, is 12 feet 2 inches. I had thought about making the sofa FLOAT in the middle, but then it cuts up the space, and it only provides 5 feet of walk around on 1 side, and then the 2 chairs are left in kinda limbo. Thanks again! Ohhh and the white rectange beside entrance door is a little bench put your shoes on :)