Dr Joan, You are correct. My clients who have been asking for the ranch plans are mostly empty nesters or one child or a parent who is living with them who want easy access to the whole home even if in less than perfect health. This then also appeals to a wider range of potential buyers for resale. The house also appears to be larger on the lot and in my opinion adds to the percieved and actual value of the home. Both of these are generally ranch plan. The first having the bonus room over the garage and both having full or partial walkout. The first has much more potential finished space as there are 2 bedrooms and bath in the lower level as well as space ready to be finished off for wet bar, rec room, family spaces etc as time and budget allow. The flexibility and potential is very valuable to the owner and any future buyers. The pricing I spoke of was gained through extensive price shopping and great internet purchasing and a year of planning prior to construction. Your pricing seems very reasonable to me based on my experience and not knowing your details of finishes etc. The trick is keeping it that way. Up front its your plans, builder and checkbook...as you move along it becomes emotional...as in gee honey the carpet floor looks fine in the great room...But wouldnt the reclaimed Heart Pine wide plank flooring look fantastic ???? The key is doing your best to be honest and complete in your selections up front as possible.

Fixed windows are less expensive generally than those that ope (casement, slider etc). We just recently ordered some transom windows, 7 foot wide and angled - that window cost about $1500 CAD. But, like others said, it means some structural work in the wall as well as new interior and exterior finishes. It is certainly doable and those inspiration pictures are beautiful. Have a look at some pictures on Houzz for more ideas. I agree with Jan, that the fireplace needs to have more presence, it looks too small for the space. I couldn't find any pictures that mirrored the style you like, but here are some ideas to expand and extend the fireplace, making it much more of a focal point and then put your new windows around it. I'm not suggesting a stone facade like this, but you see the idea to make it wider and taller and then place the windows around it. The height extension could be a drywall bumpout - it wouldn't have to have stone or covering of any sort on it, but you could consider painting it a slightly different colour or some nice architectural trim - actually the second inspiration photo with the taupe walls, see that fireplace, nicely trimmed out and extended. Those changes would really make a difference to that room to help with the scale of the tall ceilings which you like. As you can see in the original picture, there is a ceiling fan up in the corner and a not very pretty one at that. So that may tell you that Jan's suggestion that heating and cooling the room is currently an issue. If you consider extending the fireplace, then consider some concealed vents in the extension that would help move air around in the room and allow you to get rid of the ceiling fan. That room has potential for sure. I think it would be greatly helped by some paint colour and some large scale art and different window coverings. You could do a LOT more if you want but maybe start small and see how you like it.

If you do not need or care for the ceiling fan than replace it with a single light fixture that relates to the existing fixture over your kitchen dining nook area. The chandelier you have in mind is very formal which does not feel like a good fit for this combined kitchen/ living room. The urban/ rustic nature of the living room flooring has a more informal feel. Having three light fixtures would detract from the attractive vault feature in this room and is not really necessary. It is a very nice room with great windows!

No, unfortunately. i think something just a bit larger and hanging lower will do it. there are 65 inches between the couches and the fireplace is wider than that space. thank you for all the advice.