Athensmom, We have a very similar 1st floor plan. The differences are: our parking is under the screen porch, so we don't have the garage arrangement. Our side entry, mud room, etc. is between the dining room and the kitchen with the butler's pantry at the far wall. Our breakfast area is a bump out from the keeping room on the left side to catch a little more morning sun, so we aren't quite as long. Our screen porch also bumps out so that you can go from the screen porch to the grilling porch, which has door betwen the kitchen and the keeping room. (Had to find a place for the Big Green Egg!) I don't think the room will be too long, but if I were going to do a cased opening, I might put it between the kitchen and the breakfast. That seems like a more natural place for it. It would give you a neat little furniture niche beside the door to the deck, also. Have you thought about putting the TV above the fireplace? That can look very nice. Be sure to think about the future: you have 3 boys (as do I)and you live in Athens, so football watching is in your future. Where will they gather to watch the games in years to come? If you have the TV over the fireplace and your island seating facing the opposite direction, that could be a problem. Where do you want 3 teenagers to eat their bowl(s) of chili while they watch the game? I see your concerns about the master bath. I think the L shaped closet is a bit awkward Ours is also really large - as big as the bedroom - but it works a little differently. I wish I could tell you how to fix it. What about moving the vanity down to where the door is now and having a more straight forward door in the corner? You could use the funny little space in the closet next to the for shoe storage for the smaller closet. I'm sure the wiser heads on the forum will have some great ideas. Good luck!

bob, et all.. Two zones would be perfect but I guess what I am saying is that even on the forst floor where it is a chilly 68 - 70 degrees if feels clammy to me. The humidy is 48%. Does the ac regulate that in any way and is there a way to control the humidity. I googled a bit and I guess ideally the humidity should be around 40%. Perhaps at 40% I'd be cool AND comfortable. What do you think?

We just bought this house and the paint colors are in desperate need of help!!! I don't really like any of them...and am not sure if part of it is just too many colors??? I was thinking more of a gray...my husband does like blue...I'm not opposed to a blue dining room, but the two blues didn't seem to look quite right to me, the blue colors are more realistic in the living room photos, the dining room photos look more gray and they aren't gray at all...I'm really not sure where to start. Do you have any help/suggestions??

We are interested in first floor remodel...opening up the kitchen and moving bathroom out of the center of the home. Desperately seeking ideas!!! We entertain a lot, have 3 boys, very active home. Open to anything from complete remodel to smaller project. Attached is the current floor plan. Thank you!