Thanks everybody, and especially chisue for all your thoughtful input! Let's see, I'll talk to the Builder and Designer about the roof and get their input, all though I am loathe to change the elevation as we love it! The bonus space above the garage will be great later on we just don't *need* it immediately so we really want to make it functional and accessible for that time when we do or for a future buyer if we ever decide to move. As for the back porch it is not screened, we are in Oregon and porches are rarely screened here. The screened porch will be on the Southeast side of our home (we are reversing the plan) so it will mainly be for outdoor dining in the evenings and it's location will block the strong sun at that time. I also like the idea of opening the door from the keeping room and just leaving it open to the screened area-so the kids don't even have to worry about closing it! The back porch will be to sit and enjoy the view and we may enlarge a portion of it. The back side of the house will have a south/west exposure so it should be fairly light even with the covered porch above. We recently toured several homes with similar features and the lower levels were very light even without direct sun-they had 9' or 10' ceilings and tall windows. With the laundry area in the master I don't think we would use a chute. We had a chute in a home with the only laundry in the basement and it was great. The majority seem to feel that windows are better for the kids' rooms...that feels 'psychologically' better to me but I had this idea of them hanging out on the patio going in and out their doors and it would sort of expand their bedroom space in nice weather. Older kids both want doors, little one wants whatever they tell her...should I be worried?! I think I will want some sort of door alarm downstairs even if we only have a door in the rec room. As for the powder room near the back door, I know what you are saying and we have talked about it too, but it almost feels like overkill to add another bathroom, especially since we would add one to the bonus if/when we finish it. If the mudroom space is expanded enough when we add the stairs we may do it though. I do like how the 'guest' powder room is positioned, it makes it feel more private that you walk through the little hall. The garage will be for cars...I know- strange thought! DH will have all his tools in the basement and we have a separate garden shed and will eventually build another detached garage. (Likely by the time DD is driving) We may make the garage a little deeper but we really like the angled garage and keeping it to a 2 car. You bring up good points on the master, not sure how it will finally end up. I have tried it several ways not 'thrilled' with any of my solutions so we may just tell the designer our objectives and leave it up to him to figure out. Thanks so much for your helpful input, you guys are great!

Let me just say, you guys are just the best. I have actually LOL at some of your comments. I love it. Ingrid: As mentioned in my post, I'm painting the railing back to black, its original color. It's been white for more than 10 years, and I'm tired of it. I think I have a picture of it when it was white last week. I will post in my next set of pictures. I'm not sure the picture will look good with a black frame. I will post it also and you can give me your critique then. The black chandy is exactly my thought process. Graywings: I like your idea of a bench, but space is premium in that small space. I'm afraid a bench might really congest it more, but I am willing to give it a try as that never occurred to me. Moving the shelf off the wall will allow me to see the bench. Lighting is definitely the key as the ceiling is quite high and I don't have that lovely window Oceanna has. During the holidays, I place poinsettias on every other step and have gotten lots of compliments, but a few of you are poo-pooing the plants, so that's probably a scratch. The word art on the risers (every other one), may be enough. You may be on to something about the clock wall and I may just have the thing to try. Where are you suggesting I put chair rail in the foyer? Love my black wrought iron railings. Enailes: Yes, I love pastels. I'm loving the idea of cream walls for that area. HD finally has samples that can be purchased for $3.97. I bought three today. Just remembered, I have sconces, not brass and glass, that I purchased from JCP at a ridiculously low price. Will pull them out to take a look. The swing doors are going away-just not yet. I consider them part of the kitchen so they will be in kitchen redo. The kids love those doors, as does my contractor. What does he know at 33 :). Teacats-You just blow me away. I am lol at your post. Simple and to the point--stop apologizing-this is just what I need. Got my big girl panties on today and nothing you can say offends or hurts. I asked for it remember? The railings were white for 10+ years--time for something new. Door wouldn't look good in white, imo. It's solid and it will either take black or remain as is with a redoing of the stain. You are the second person to suggest a bench. I am going to try it. Will "borrow" a bench just to get an idea. I still think the area's too small but you guys have me just about convinced to do it. The swing doors are addressed above. Joanie: Got three paint samples from HD today. Will mark up more of the wall and take pictures. Enailes suggested neutrals also. The colors are more creams than tans. I like Behr paint and will choose from one of their palettes. I think I have an idea what you might have over your front door. No dried flowers-I promise :). I saw that Design to Sell show. I love my wrought iron railing, so it'll have to stay. I have a large family room downstairs with bookcases. I think once something black is hanging from the ceiling-the railing will seem a good choice. Magazines and HGTV are killing me. When I was updating my two small bathrooms, I used several ideas from both and loved them. I have two months of DTS taped for other ideas. Always something good. Please, keep the good critiques coming. I'll wear the "big girls" for a few more days :)). Peachie

bongalow, I think what happened to the cornsilk in your foyer is that it is up against the dark wood and in a small space so the color is more intense. I have some samples hanging on a white door (I'm trying to find colors for my new home) and it is much lighter than it shows in your foyer. My own experiene is, I've always had difficulty matching paint colors to wood trim. I use to have wood trim in this house, but after 2 paint jobs ending in paint I hated, I just went ahead and painted all the wood white to save my sanity. HA! I'm not recommending that for you, just wanted to share my experience.

Benjamin Moore Linen White is a creamy white with yellow undertones. We have used it in our home in the LR, front hall, stairway and upstairs hall. It works well with either White Dove for the trim or Decorator's White. Re: your floors: Maybe consider painting the stair risers white. Your floors are beautiful! Add some area rugs and you'll have some color and protection in the entry area. From the BM site: Also known as Linen White OC-146. A decorator favorite, this light, creamy off-white is a never-fail neutral for walls, trim, doors and ceilings. As clean and comfortable as fresh linen, it relies on a yellow undertone for added warmth .http://www.benjaminmoore.com/en-us/paint-color/pm28