Understand that we all have a psychological response to this situation: we spend a lot of money and the item we bought comes in for a lot of criticism from others. A new car that you find that very negative reviews on after you buy, plus you over paid for the thing (thinking of my brother and his Yugo 30+ years ago). Or you tell people about how wonderful something works, event tho you hide your own doubts and disappointments, because no one ever wants to say, "I sure blew it and wasted money". So a lot of testimonials fall into this category of consumer, the person who justifies his mistakes. It's called "cognitive dissonance".

I agree with that being a great story! The other day I was talking with a friend about some of my already-made TKO purchases as well as my hope-to-be realized big ideas for making my dream kitchen. After listening to me a bit, she asked me with a tone of great incredulity: WHY??? Having had similar conversations with other non-TKO friends, I decided to pull the plug and answered, simply: "Because I want it!" That not only ended the probing, but it also left me feeling a tad smug. Those four little words served me with the best rationalization and easiest cognitive dissonance of all!

I saw in a magazine waybackwhen where someone covered their ugly wall mechanicals (they had the security system box, programmable thermostat, and some other sticks-out-like-a-sore-thumb chunk of white plastic and electronics stuck in the middle of the wall directly in front of the front door) with a decorative wooden "box", kind of like is used for the indoor part of electric doorbells, with a hinged front so you can have access to the thermostat. Match it to the trim or wall color and it won't be as obtrusive.

@Mark Bischak - Thanks for taking a look! When you look at the site on paper, it certainly does seem that way. That's probably why the surveyor stuck a rear set-back along that line and why every single other version of this house was always lined right up like that with the garage in the front corner. When you're actually *on* the lot, though, the front feels like it should point vaguely out over the curve and once the house rotates suddenly you're not fighting the topography anymore and the foundation and lower level are both improved. Plus you get almost-true-southern exposure in the kitchen and dining. Additionally, when the driveway was short and straight (with the garage facing the street) we were going to need a set of stairs, maybe 3-4 risers to bring the garage low enough to keep the grade down and the house high enough to keep water out. This avoids that, too. I was hoping you'd chime in though, would love to hear whatever thoughts you have!