Hi Homey, With a 24 inch constrain you may want to consider using a pedistal sink, there are designs that offer a more contemporary feel. Another idea would be one of thinner vanities that has 1/2 of the sink sticking out, they are usually not as wide as a standard vanity is. In regards to your question about rectangle tiles, yes, you can get almost any stone in that shape, but if you're going to have a modern feel in the room, you may want to consider glass. HTH - Good luck with your project - Lukki

Is it a good thing or a bad thing that the output of the proposed furnace will be less than that of the current Trane furnace? I notice on the carrier website that the Infinity 80 (which I think is what the #58CVA070-12 is) is not Energy Star certified and does not have a media filter cabinet. Is this important? It seems like most people think it is better to change everything at once. If I do pay $2,000 more to change out the furnace for the Carrier, it is only $450 more to upgrade to the two stage Infinity 17 AC (#24ANB724) or $1,250 to upgrade to the Infinity 21 (#24ANB124). Are they basically the same, but one has a higher SEER? I would probably go with the Infinity 17 if that was the only difference.

Hi again. After taking some time to think about some thing (and recuperating from the flu!), I made a few decisions. but my architect strongly recommended putting the clean-up sink on the island because it "fosters social interaction with friends and family . . . especially teens For the most part, I agree with this. However, I've decided to keep the clean-up at the window and keeping a prep in the island. One reason...I realized that almost everytime someone comes over, I am standing at the sink doing dishes. Whether it's another mom or a family member, they are sitting on a stool and I am washing dishes. I am very tired of that and I imagine it doesn't make them feel very welcome. Another reason...when I am doing dishes and the kids are sitting there for homework, either I am not giving them my undivided attention, or I get sidetracked and the dishes don't get finished. Also, since the kid's pretty much clean the kitchen after dinner, having their backs to the great room would certainly keep them focused on their task. Is that wishful thinking? Finally...we all like to prep together and that will be more fun if we can all be around the island. And I love the idea of using the island prep sink for drinks at parties. I'm guessing you are not a baker Actually, we are avid bakers. I like the idea of the MW and ovens separate so that while one might be using the MW another can be removing things out of the oven. I don't see a problem with meandering teens with the wide aisles. Yes, the DW needs to stay on the cooktop side since that doorway leads to the pantry. It also leads to a guest suite which will probably be occupied by my mother. However, thanks, to Rhome, I am seriously considering putting a second DW in the island. The handyman will be back the first week in March to pour footings where the load bearing walls are coming down. After that we order the 20 foot headers! Thanks so much for your input. It really helped me put things into perspective. Now I need to decide if that buffet counter is going to be nothing more than a clutter magnet!

It looks like you are on the right track. I think those would look great. Def not bathroom-ish to me. And I agree with not blocking your window nor the arch. Just too pretty to have anything take away from it. So disregard my earlier comment that there was a pendant light to match one of those sconces. Bad idea! :) And, not sure how I even feel about a matching ceiling light. That might be too many of those lights too close together. Those sconces make a statement as it is and I think a matching ceiling light might be too much. Think I agree with the can lights idea. Or, matching ceiling light but remove the bling so the shade is similar but not so much bling. ? Don't know. Just thinking out loud. Do you have an island with pendant lights? Because if you don't you could hang some pendants on either side and that would look pretty too I think. Such a pretty window. So many fun ways you can dress it up! Just for what it's worth, of the choices you show - I think I prefer #1 - which is unusual for me because I lean strongly contemporary and I think #2 is more contemporary. But... I like #1 better. And I like it a lot!