YepÂwe are a very small town but that is what we were looking for when we decided to move. Our "downtown" area has a small grocery store, hardware store, bank, post office, etc. The next bigger towns are Sterling and Dixon. We do a lot of our other shopping in Sterling because they have a Walmart and K-Mart plus a Menards. YouÂre correctÂJoliet has tripled its population in the last 14 years. It just too congested for us. Driving down Rt 52 is hazardous to your health. SamKaren your resident DJ

First, with the traffic pattern you describe:  Main entrance downstairs & coming up the stairs on the left Yes. The Âside staircase is only for for easier access to trash and to let the dog out.  Side entrance (directly off kitchen) not used much o See above  You want two entrances into the kitchen, one by the bedrooms & one from the LR/DR end o Correct. o  Entrance to MBR, if in kitchen would not be main access to it (but, it looks like it would be the only access in most plans...) o That is the only MBR entrance. We are toying with the idea of moving the entrance to the main hallway, thus taken some space from the Guest Room. IF this does not happen then we will need a 5 wall coming off the West wall to shield the entrance to the MBR. This wall is currently in the kitchen today. If we go with the 5 wall the west wall will be approx 11Â6. Other points...  You want some seating o Yes, at least 4 at the peninsula. The peninsula Âoverhang is being taken out of the dinning roomÂs space. I would like some island seating  You don't need or necessarily care about windows on the right wall of the kitchen b/c of the skylights & wall of windows in the DR o We are planning on windows on the longer part of the east wall.  The outside stairs should be at least 30" wide, preferably 36" (room for carrying things up/down the stairs like trash) o IÂm not sure what the dimensions of the staircase will be.  Small deck should be at least 36" wide for maneuvering room (door not a "straight shot" down the stairs, you have to turn to go down...) o I am not sure the size of the current deck I would guess about 48Â. The current stairs and deck will be completely rebuilt. Let me get this straight (so I understand what's going on)....  Layout A (14' north wall): o There will be a hall on the west side of the kitchen - YES o North wall ends where the outside stairs begin - YES o No pantry on the east wall  Yes, shallow pantry on West Wall o Entire length of kitchen is 2' + 3' + 8' + 1'6" (overhang on peninsula) = 14'6" YES- 3 feet is being taken from the kitchen and given to he Master in order to create a door that is not in the kitchen. o Entire width of kitchen is 14' (but, measurements = 1'6" + 3' + 8' = 12'6" OR 1'6" + 3' + 4' + 3' + 2' = 13'6") Width of kitchen is approx 14  Layout B (16' north wall): o There will be a hall on the west side of the kitchen Yes o No pantry on the east wall ÂCorrect. There will be a shallow pantry on the west wall o North wall extends to in front of the stairs (stated dimensions indicate only another 2', but I think it will be closer to 30"...36" deck - 6" exterior wall = 30" interior space. Also, drawing seems to show 27" freezer not the same width...if you have a 33" deck, that would seem correct ï§ Currently north wall extends 2Â2 in front of stairs. I know it sounds weird, but that is what it currently it. o Entire length of...

Thanks for the feedback. The home is "Colonial-like" in design. Looking to replace a dozen windows, Double Hung. The trim is in good shape so we could do inserts or full frame replacement. Having blinds nestle in the frame would be preferred but not an absolute. We're open to using any product although we are looking for low/no maintenance, especially for the upstairs windows. I've only looked at a Pella vinyl so far in person and it looked too industrial for my tastes. With our climate and west-facing (if that matters) what wood/clad product would be good for the four main floor windows? Still trying to understand if vinyl, composite, aluminum, or fiberglass is the best choice. If wood windows added character to the living room and dining room on the main floor, I wouldn't mind a little painting but really looking to minimize the maintenance aspect. And perhaps this is where the Infinity comes in? Look of wood with no maintenance. Or asked another way, what windows need maintenance so I can consider ruling them out? Thank you.

I'm not a designer... But, I kind of like your roller blinds. Are you thinking about replacing them all because you feel like they aren't good quality (because they've been breaking), or are you just not liking them, in general? If it were me, I'd leave the roller blinds and add drapes, which would be a way to add color. Or, I think you can put up roman blinds (outside mount) over the inside mount roller blinds. I'm not a designer, though, so.... I've had faux wood blinds and they do gather dust and the slats are a bit time consuming to dust. I used to occasionally wash mine over the bathtub. I didn't really like all the strings in them, either (and they aren't exactly the most child or pet-safe choice so far as window coverings). But, most people, around here at least, seem to have them. They seem to be very common. It's just my opinion, but I think they're not the best thing if you want to be able to raise/lower something on a daily basis. It's pretty easy to open up the slats and close them, but raising and lowering is another thing.