Three things about the space...I think the fridge does work best by the main sink, especially if the table is over there, too. The prep sink on the island is FOR the cooktop/range. Without it, you don't have a very functional kitchen. I think the island works best opposite the cooktop, but maybe just a bit smaller. The desk should be in the kitchen, IMHO, but not in the main work zones. By changing the island slightly and moving a stool to the end, you are no longer all lined up and it will be easier to visit with the cook and each other. Also, the desk chair should be the same height as the table chairs...that way you can move it over for extra seating, when needed. The banquette will give you MUCH more seating, because people can squeeze in, where chairs would take more room. Having the banquette on one side only, makes it easier for people to access and with outdoor fabric, a breeze to clean up. There are some beautiful outdoor fabrics (that look like indoor) that would be perfect for the banquette, cushions, chairs, etc. Oh, and I think the banquette will allow you to sit in the sun and take full advantage of the windows and view...although the windows will have to be a little higher from the floor, for the banquette. Hope this helps :) From Kitchen plans One more thing...why is the laundry door opening out? It would probably make more sense to swing into the room, against that right side (away from sink) but can't see entire space. This post was edited by lavender_lass on Mon, Feb 24, 14 at 18:45

Um....well....wow. I did make it through the entire post...and quite a post it was! By the way....I'll take the pony. I already have a dirty kid. Lucky for me I have good paint on the walls...LOL! OK....let's get this out of the way... There's a good chance I may say something you don't agree with...and that's OK. I'm a 3rd generation painter and started learning the business when I was 12. Take that for what you will. Every painter...no matter how long they've been doing it...thinks they're the expert (just my opinion after knowing thousands). Now..your situation... This new concept of "full spectrum paints"....pure baloney. Absolutely nothing but marketing. Every paint is a full spectrum paint. Let's not forget that there are only 3 primary colors. Black is the presence of all color and white is the absence of all color. From this we derive all variations....and colorants (the term for what is added to paint) are manufactured to certain variations for simplicity. Without boring anyone to death about the progression...this page is a good start: http://www.artsparx.com/color_basicprinc.asp That said...what is most important is quality of the paint and the consistency of color. Quality of the paint is fairly simple. Every paint manufacturer has good paint and garbage paint. There is no such thing as 'which brand is better'. They all have top of the line...and they all have contractor (new construction) grades. What you want is 100% acrylic. Acrylic refers to the type of resin used to make the paint...and it's the best. Consistency of color is a tad more involved. Green (for example) can be made from blue and yellow...or it can be made from black and yellow...or from purple (blue and red) and yellow. All results are 'green' but they will have a different effect on the eye. You can take the same shade of green...made each way...and they will 'look' and 'feel' different. The best way to get an idea of this is to look at a paint 'fan deck' or color chip display. You see blues in one area...then blues in another different area. Most people look at this and wonder 'they're all blue...why aren't they just all together'? There's a reason...and you have to understand the reason. While they may look very similar...they are made from different color combinations. This is what gives color a 'feel'. An example is a home I recently painted. They do not like color. Huge fans of beige...in different forms. They chose shades from all over the sample choices. Beige is beige...right? Nope. I tried to explain...but they loved the little chips. Now that it's done...there's a different feel from one room with a beige based on black...to the adjoining room with a beige based on red. It's subconscious...but recognizable. Now I'm repainting 3 rooms. So here's the thing for you. Pick whatever color you like for each room. You can go for warmth, soft, vibrant, or any mood you wish the room to have. What creates flow is not color...but what the color is based on. Try to think of the basics of color and not get drawn into the hype. Now...this post of mine has gone on more than I planned....so if anyone makes it through...you can pass my pony on to them. I'll hang on to the dirty kid I have......for now. Best of luck to you.

Welcome Loisgriffin! It's so exciting to build and yet a daunting task to pick everything out. There is also a building forum if you ever have questions on construction or general building help. All of these forums have been invaluable to me since we built a year ago. Here is a link to the Building Forum I'll also give you a link to the Bedroom Gallery If you look near the top of the page, you'll see a button that says "Switch to galleries" and there all all kinds of threads over on that board that show pictures of paint colors, specific rooms and inspirational ideas. The bedroom style you are describing is pretty close to mine. I have Restoration Hardware furniture with a dark finish, Cappuccino colored walls and dark beige carpet. This combo (I hope) will allow me to change the bedding fairly easily since it's fairly neutral. In fact, the bedding we have is 10 years old and we always think about changing but haven't found something we both love yet. Here's my color scheme. This paint is a tad darker than it appears in this photo. ;c) Good Luck building and happy decorating! Lindy

Beth H. : thank you. He made the countertop himself out of 2 3/4" plywood and we bought formica 180fx laminate for the counters (and done the ideal edge) and used the same 180fx for the backsplash. I know alot of ppl don't like laminate, but I actually do and I do alot of food preserving and canning and the backsplash washes off so easily. With hubby doing all the work and making everything himself the total price of our whole house remodel came to $20,000. And that included, 6 new windows, 2 full baths, a kitchen, and flooring.... (during covid with prices more than double on alot of things. So we saved quite a bit! Overall, I love the way it turned out! And I'm extremely proud of my hubby!