We put in more than the required amount of outlets. There is at least one circuit per room for its outlets (the lights for the various rooms are shared across a few circuits). We added switch-controlled outlets in the bedrooms and living room (although we have ceiling lights anyway), ran an extra wire to every ceiling box in case a ceiling fan is installed down the road (to separately switch the fan and lights), and used multi-location dimmers just about everywhere. We supplemented our exterior lighting with floodlights and added a few exterior-mounted weatherproof junction boxes so we can add hardwired landscape lighting later. Don't scrimp on the exterior outlets, consider adding some under the eaves (on a switch) for Christmas lighting. Run extra circuits for these. Also, check out http://www.sillites.com/ if you like candles in your windows. Consider, if you'd like, having a photocell added to the north side of your house to have the exterior lights turn on and off at dusk and dawn. We forgot to do this and I always forget to turn off the exterior lights. In our bathrooms we have separately switched wall and ceiling lighting. The sconces on either side of the bathroom mirror are best for getting ready. We added recessed receptacles where our flat screen TVs will be mounted. We also added piping in the walls to pull our own data wiring (cable, phone, ethernet, HDMI, etc). Consider, as some have mentioned above, using double-gang boxes for some of your receptacles, especially on either side of the beds and where TVs, etc, will go in bedrooms. Where we have furniture to hold electronic equipment we've used triple-gang boxes. One thing I would stress is be generous with your circuits. I did all of our wiring here (passed final inspection too!) and I don't think there are more than seven receptacles on any single circuit (but that's just me).

Sorry for the hiatus. Moving and working and kids - well it's a bit inconvenient. Hahaha! Appraisal today. Now the only thing left is the health department to check the drain field and water. I hope we have a closing date soon. momtoblondie-*LOVE* my doodle. :) She by the way is having the hardest time out of everyone with all of the house showing/packing/routine changing upheaval. ;) We are not fans of that funny little angle by the front door either. We will be addressing that and the windows when we meet again on Monday. I am still trying to figure out the front laundry closet area with the windows pushed together-it is a struggle. I am also pondering the kitchen layout. The mudroom however, we like. I asked for a place for lockers, a separate closet, a small 'pocket' office and to be able to close the dog in. This is what we got and I do like it: The doorway off to the right by the closet goes outside where we will have a covered porch for grilling and also where we will let the dog in and out. The doorway by the 1/2 bath leads into the kitchen area. The square footage - hmmm. It is about 300 sq foot over what we were hoping for. So we need to look at that. Likely the mudroom is a little big because I don't feel like the actual rooms are too large. But we don't have any 'extra' rooms that I feel we could ditch. We are not including the screened porch (to be finished later) and the basement (also to be finished way later) in our sq. footage 'wants'. It's about 1700 on the main floor and 550 in the upstairs. I also need to having things figured out - this has been driving me nuts. I wouldn't say you are starting to soon but yes I concur it is overwhelming and sanity breaks are needed (chocolate also helps). We didn't think our house would sell so early. Happy it did so we can start this fall BUT the plans aren't ready and so now I feel rushed which is not what I wanted at this stage. :/ I too like watching every size build. It sometimes causes my eyes (dreams) to be larger than our budget but it is exciting to watch nonetheless! I can't wait to watch your build progress as well. When are you hoping to list your home? It kind of sneaks up on you so hang on to your hat! Thank you for your kind words and blessings - right back at you. There are a few kindred police/fire spirits on here. :)

If you can include some low drawer storage in your closet, it would be nice to be able to put away all your clothes in there. You could use a shelf above the drawers to fold laundry on before putting it away, since it's so convenient to the W/D. I would probably put the drawers in the middle of the closet on each side of the walk-through, so you have a more open, finished space in the middle, with ''His'' and ''Hers'' sides. That way you could put your heavy, outdoor hanging items closer to the utility room, along with your travel gear and out-of-season clothes. The hanging clothes you wear most, of course closest to the bedroom, with shoes. I love the Elfa gliding shoe racks, which make so much sense to me. http://www.containerstore.com/shop/elfa/components/ventilatedShelving?productId=10027065 Also, you probably need to think about where your dirty clothes are going to go. Your washer/dryer space isn't all that large, but I figured out a way to sort my dirty clothes and make washing much more convenient in a small space. My laundry closet in your utility room could work well for you in this instance. The low drawers have wire bins in them, which I use to sort (Light, Medium, Dark colors). The baskets above the washer and dryer are specialty items (undies, towels, delicates). I have a smaller, European style W/D which works well in the space. Each bin/basket holds one load and because it's already sorted, I only have to Stuff the washer and Start it! Here is a link that might be useful: Luna Laundry System

When I painted by main floor closet I bought a small can of white paint and dropped in one of my gazillion BM sample pots to create a nice off-white. I would never paint the closets the color of the adjoining room in my house because I change colors way too much. I also painted my three bedroom closets last month EK Gustavian Grey which is a lovely light grey (ceilings too.) For my 5 x 5 master bedroom I ordered a fun light. I have a gorgeous rug in their that I got on clearance. I am with Jan teacats, make it fun! Final answer: Life is to short to paint a closet plain white.