@apple_pie_order We will likely do the laundry room/guest bathroom renovation before we do the blue bathroom for my mother. That way, when we do start working on Mom's bathroom, there will be one she can use. I need to clean up my room. It's got too much junk in the way for her to easily get to the bathroom. My brother using my bathroom is short-term, but I eventually want to add some shelves, possibly cabinets, etc for more storage. I want to have storage for toilet paper, wet wipes, tissues, etc. It's so nice to be able to take a shower whenever I want instead of having to drive over to my friend's house and hope no one is doing laundry or having people wanting to come in to use the bathroom while I'm showering (friend only has the one bathroom). I made a To Do list for the bathroom (in no particular order) Remove tools & junk-- find storage for them Clean up floor & counter Install robe hook Move or trim peg on board with pegs that interfere with door Fix cut joist under the tub Cut access panel under tub from closet Change out overflow & drain for tub Replace faucet & lavatory drain Replace S-trap with either in-wall vent stack or AAV Open up wall behind toilet to examine any pipes (possibly merge tub vent) Sand & paint vanity Install new hinges & pulls on vanity + magnets to help doors stay shut Sand & paint dresser Install new knobs on dresser Sand & paint door Put mirror on door Sand & paint rough wood trim all around room (door, window, ceiling, etc) Replace trim on vanity with pvc cove moulding Install beadboard, chair rail, and baseboards Replace triple toggle switch with new 20Amp triple rocker switch Replace old GFCI with new Add light switch next to GFCI for vanity light Install vanity light Install light over shower Install bracket to hold mop and broom Build new mirror frame & install new mirror above vanity Figure out some storage for bath slippers It seems like a long list, but hopefully it won't be so bad. I'm thinking shelves or cabinets over the laundry cart will help. I might make cabinets though. It can start as shelves and I can add wood to make them in to cabinets. I was going to raise the toilet up with a platform, but it seems to be ok for now. I might add a small grab bar later on to help me get up if I start to have problems.

You're welcome. I've learned so much from Garden webbers that I'm happy to have helped someone else. I do like your new hybrid layout. As for sizes, take a tape measure and recreate the size your are considering. For example conside the 10'3'' bedroom to an actual bedroom you have now and see how it feels. It also depends on the size bed you will place in there. 10' is a bit tight but again if not used often then maybe it can do. Will your parents visit or move in? As for mudroom bench, we are having benches built into the top of the cubbies so it accomplishes 2 things in one. See pic one of the link attached. Also a list my husband complied for mudroom things to consider. (He complied a list based on research of what other people said, not necessarily need to accomodate everything). lower hook for kids 40 sq feet minimum waterproof paint thick hooks for winter coats thin hooks for smaller stuff window if possible bench drop station open shelves forshoes space for guest shoes water resistent flooring mirror? waste can rough in texture tiles to prevent slipping closet/storage?? when coats not in use Hope it helps and Good luck! Here is a link that might be useful: mudroom cubby ideas

Spider~~ Oh my heavens, you are SO normal!! When we built this house, having DH as the architect that DREW the plans and his construction company did the building.....well, most of it was done BEFORE we were married, so I didn't live in this town yet....and HE made all of the decisions. There are so many things that I would have rathered have changed, but the one that really stands out is..... He had drawn and built a "spot" in the MBR that would just be the "right size" for our long dresser...well when the movers went to put in that dresser, that space was about 2 inches too short......long story short, it made a wonderful sitting area for my chair, table/lamp for reading or watching TV. So sometimes, the best laid plans go wrong, but I really do enjoy "my space" from his error and the dresser looks fine in the space it now occupies! But believe me, he took alot of "guff" for it at the time. There is no such a PERFECT house...or life, as far as that goes....things happen...that is just how life is. As far as it is not a life or death matter, I am sure you can work around any situation...just look at it as a challenge and I am sure you can come up with a solution to anything in a house or life. Good Luck....and if this is the only thing that bothers you, you are very fortunate. Take metaxa's advice to heart and be so glad you are getting a new home to live in, perfect or not~~~

Check out ILoveRed's picture. Even though you can't see the other houses in the neighborhood well - notice what you can see and "feel"... The first house has style and presence. it's well proportioned and has attention to the roof, the side, and the foundation. However, it's also simple in its shape and roofline - meaning that it's not super expensive to build. In a single color, you can still see the detail. It looks substantial. it also looks like it's been there forever, despite it's obvious newness. The house directly beside it looks like it spent all it's style on the front facade. It looks lacking style on the side, lacking windows and lacking any foundation treatment. the flat side looks forgotten. The house looks "weak" next to Red's DD's house. Go one house further away - loooks typical McMansion with an oversides roof and too deep for light (note the skylights - likely needed to illuminate dark interior spaces). Note the 2 colors - needed for style - looks like an apartment buidling - but not well done in that it transects the window. Also looks like a monstrous complicated roofline that will be $$$$ to replace. The roofline is a function of the plan being made and then a roof "slapped on it" via CAD. A house as large as you are building deserves a design that works for you, and that is "special". You have the space to have something truly amazing and designed to allow some stretch - not use a house that has artificial constraints for a 1/3 acre city lot. Take a drive around - look at the houses that are newer but look "solid" and stately - notice the details. They don't have the giant oppressive roofs, or the complicated footprints with jigs and jogs, but they have a presence, elegance and simplicity that the big subdivision plans don't. They don't scream at you. They are confident. Be like them. There are a couple of really great Architects here that do remote design and could help you accomplish your goals.