Couldn't open the ad; what did you get it for? I paid nearly as much for shipping as I paid for the deck, but it was worth every penny. I've used it four times so far this year. Spectacular cut. One incredibly nit-picky criticism is that while mowing my hybrid Bermuda at my standard early-season height of 1/2", the bolts which hold the discharge shoot to the sheet metal stick down 1/4" or so, so when I hit some slight bumps, they tend to scratch the turf. It's not an issue while mowing at 3/4", so I guess I'll just have to mow a little higher. Still looks like a putting green out front. Tomorrow I'll put it to the test. I've been a little busy lately, and the common Bermuda out back is about 1.5-2". I cut the common variety at 1". I haven't seen any clippings after mowing. The only difference between mulching and bagging is that my dog tends to track fine particles of wet clippings in the house after doing his business on the wet morning grass. But I can live with that for the benefits: recycling my clippings into the grass, no more dust cloud discharging behind my head, and a darn nice cut.

I agree that it is a personal preference but until you have lived in houses that are both closed off and open, you may not know what your personal preferences are till its too late. Ive lived in both, very boxed off homes, with each room very seperate and compartmentalized, as well as a home with all rooms open. For the house im building, ive chosen something in between. The upstairs with bedrooms, laundry and bath, is very seperated from the downstairs. There are no valuted ceilings, lofts, etc. connecting the two spaces. Although I loved the look of vaulted ceilings, balconys, etc. the practical living piece (noise travelling up, no privacy and the cost to heat) didnt work for me. As for the downstairs, I did a combo of closed and open. I found in the house that was too closed off (seperate rooms for everything) everyone congregated in the tiny kitchen. As for the house with everything open, there was never any privacy and hence, there were times when kids were over, they were forced to play in a bedroom just so others could watch tv in the open area. As a result, ive chosen a dining/kitchen area which is one big room with french doors connecting to the covered porch. This allows room to congregate and socialize in the kitchen and also reduced the need for a formal dining room (which from a square footage space, was just not going to work as well). Off of the dining side of this room is the living room, connected by two entry ways. You can actually stand at the kitchen island and see into the living room but they are still two very distinct areas. This to me was a bit of the best of both worlds. I also agree that for those with small kids, thinking about how an open floor plan will work when these kids are teenagers might be a good idea as well. Again, I agree it is all about personal preferences but for those who have not lived in a totally open plan, but love the look (I do think open plans with valuted ceilings, balconys, etc. are beautiful) the day in and day out of living in such a space might be something to think about.

When we built in 2001, we couldn't do some rooms we wanted because of lot size . . . when all kids and grandkids were there it was very crowded. The house we're building now started out to be all on one floor . . . then we got talked into adding a walkout lower level, and now I have all the rooms we wanted last time and more -- including laundry room off the master suite, formal dining room, kitchenette downstairs, and craft room -- where grandkids can finger paint or whatever and I can start messy projects and leave them out till they're finished!! The house is too big, but we're planning to enjoy every inch of it!! What I'd love would be a glass greenhouse -- not just a lean-to on the side of the house but a fancy, elegant one, where I could do seed-starting and grow tropicals!! But I'm not complaining!!

You are a hoot, arialvetica. I love your current kitchen, but.... Oh, kitchen layout critiques are going to be so much more fun now. I tried to give you the U-kitchen with island but didn't do a good job of it and I couldn't figure how to do it and give you the sunroom. Sorry. I flipped the front door to the other side of the porch. Maybe someone more creative than me can riff with this a bit. The aisles are wonky. ETA: I do like the spaciousness of this but I understand why you want that room for messes.