What would be the view if you added windows- something worth looking at? Or is the reason there are no windows is that you don't want to see that area? Which way does the sun come in? Are those windows or doors on the range wall? If they are doors, are they going to be used a lot-are people going to be walking through the area there to get some other part of the house on a regular basis?

buehl: Now that I'm looking at your design on the big screen instead of my phone, there isn't enough space next to the fridge for ovens. I can't pull that wall out any further, we're already over our goal square footage. And almost all of the increase has come into the kitchen. ;) mrspete: Thanks! I've spent a lot of time looking at mudrooms and I'm downright giddy at the thought of getting some of that crap out of the middle of my living space! Right now we have one tiny overstuffed coat closet so everyone (me included) just drapes them over the railing. You make a good point about food and light, but I really like the thought of a window in the pantry and I'm definitely not willing to give up any space. I have an obscene quantity of kitchen stuff, put foods up, and shop in bulk. I want to minimize what's stored in the kitchen and maximize pantry use. I'd also like to boot the microwave (which we don't use often) to the pantry so again, natural light in there would be nice. I have kids so I never store cleaning supplies down low. All I need in the half bath is under-sink storage for tampons & extra toilet paper. I could conceivably shift all the doors "down" but then that sends the fridge to siberia with the oven. I've had a hundred people complain about the laundry closet, but I don't get it. We don't do anything in the laundry room except wash & dry. No folding, no hanging to dry. We always fold in front of the TV. Sure, if the square footage fairy came to visit I'd take it, but we've got to cut back somewhere and this feels like a good place. The venting is something to be aware of and it's on my list of things to discuss with the builder. Additionally this won't actually be the w/d location for the next 10-15y. It'll be upstairs with the bedrooms (in another closet!) Actually I doubt we'll ever close the bathroom door. Probably just the door to the master. Based on current habits. The pocket door would likely to get more use in the short term when that's a playroom/craftroom. I'm considering the swap. I think it would give my architect a heart attack to lose the windows in the BR, though. Plus as a craftroom lots of windows and natural light would be really nice. Thanks so much for all the feedback! It really helps to have people who will talk this out endlessly. :D

Overall it's a nice layout. Specific comments: - The half bath couldn't be worse placed. Instead, flip-flop it with the mudroom ... this also allows for a bathroom that's convenient to the outside. This gives you a large walk-in pantry between the kitchen and the dining room (not ideally placed, but I'd do it). And that'd allow you to have mudroom-type storage where you currently have the pantry. - Still on the subject of the bathroom ... with a bathroom available to guests near the kids' room (which I'm thinking is kind of a den?), do you need that half bath? Bathrooms are the most expensive rooms in the house, and they continue to cost in terms of maintenance. - What's going UNDER the switchback stair? This is a large space -- I'd make it into half-height shelves or cabinets, which could open into the full bath, making it into really nice storage. OR it could open in to the office. But don't let that big space be boxed in /useless. - Still thinking of bathrooms ... I'd definitely lose the double sinks in the full bath. - Do you plan to have a TV in the living room? The only spot I can see for its placement is above the fireplace. Do think long and hard on this one. - Do you have doors between the living room and the kids' room? I grew up in a house that had a similar fireplace, which was flanked by single glass doors (in our case, they led to a sun room). My grandmother always had lace sheers on the glass doors, and it was a lovely set-up. - Consider that you have access to the backyard through the kids' room ... but once you place a table in the breakfast nook, that door will be useless. If this were my space, I'd leave the windows as they are in the living room, and I'd put a glass slider into the mudroom /on the side near the kitchen ... this'd be useful for carrying trays out to the grill. - You'll have nice light everywhere in the house ... except the kitchen. It won't be dark-dark, but you also won't have lovely morning sunbeams on your countertops. - 36” range + wall ovens vs. 48” range (familiar with MUA etc) This is a large-but-not-huge kitchen ... I can't see the justification for a 48" range. They're quite expensive and they keep on costing: oversized hood, amped-up electrical, additional floor support. And why? 30" is enough ... 36" is more than enough. Don't give up your average-sized cabinet storage for this. If you're thinking of parties (15+ isn't that big a group), I'd much rather have an extra refrigerator in the mudroom rather than an over-sized range. - General Cabinet layout Eh, it's okay -- good circulation, but things aren't really top-notch functional. Plenty of counter top space without going overboard and inviting clutter. Someone will say not to place the sink and the range back-to-back, but I'm okay with it. The dishwasher is on the right side -- no, left, but correct side -- of the sink. Glasses are a pain to put away, so you want it to be near the cabinet by the fridge. This gives you one good-sized drawer for knives /things you'll want near the sink. How much space do you have between the main cabinet run and the island? I'm concerned these two items may be a little too far apart to "play well together". I have that now, and while it's better than too little space, I wish-wish-wish I had right-sized instead of that extra step between the two. Questions to think through: - When you come in with groceries, where will you set them down to sort them out? - Where will your dirty dishes sit? - Where are your small appliances? - 15+ people not uncommon You have plenty of space for seating and setting items out in a buffet style. I like a kitchen flanked by a breakfast nook and dining space ... it allows the kids to sit in one area, while the adults are in the other ... and the food can be laid out between them. I'd skip the island seating. With large groups, you have enough seating ... but you're going to use this space for setting out food. I'd rather have another row of shallow cabinets on the "back side" of the island for extra storage. Where I think you're skimpy is the space beside the refrigerator, which is likely where you'd set out drinks for the group. You could place drinks AND dessert in the butler's pantry (for self-serve). Leaning towards a 48” AG range, partially to preserve the space next to fridge for a tall, pull out pantry. Definitely no to a tall pantry next to the fridge. You need this space for glassware and "landing space" for the fridge. I think this is also your "away space" where you'll place your coffee maker, bowl of fruit, and cake-under-a-dome. I don't see a natural place for a tall pantry cabinet ... but with a walk-in pantry, you don't really need it.

True...each architect has their own, individual approach to design. If the OP has lost confidence in her architect she should select another, not try to design her on her own and crowd source it here. I wonder if the OP understands that architectural design is a simultaneous consideration of site planning, interior space planning, exterior massing and style, and roof design. In other words, design is a three-dimensional activity involving all aspects of a house. A decision made in one sphere has direct impact on all the other spheres. Architectural design is never a single isolated consideration of a floor plan, one floor at a time. That's what drafters and CAD operators do to manage their clients and minimize time on each project. I hope the OP can work closely with her architect, and not in isolation from her/him.