carson & chipsa, I like your thinking. He didn't put a window in his MB plan or a linen closet. Jeezz I think the entry area is too large and wasted floor space don't you? I almost think he needs to start completely over. Frustrating, we waited 2 weeks to get this and I am not sure how to tell him. I think he thought this was a "good to go" plan. I found this plan today on line and so with photo shop I added his suggested garage set up, changed the kitchen to have a island, enlarged the screened in porch. I think the great room looks to be too small & MB could be set up different. Do you think this plan has a good flow for 2 adults that will have overnight guests? I want to give him feed back on the plan he sent me with a alternate plan to show him. Thank you Here is a link that might be useful: Plan I found on the internet: This post was edited by KayakCove on Sat, Jul 5, 14 at 15:04

This is my first home and yard but I have thought about that as well. It can get pretty windy here-over 50 mph a few times this year. Re the fireplace, it too is interesting but is also creating a design dilemma for me. The home is small (1646 sq ft) and it is very predominate part of the living space, with one side in the dining/kitchen area and the other side in the Living room and its so busy I am afraid to use pattern anywhere near it and even anything other than neutral colors are scaring me. Also, on the LR side you really cant put chairs facing it so I am still playing with space planning (as seen in the pics have tried chairs and now couch-old owners had dining table in LR and den like area in kitchen)and am still trying to figure out what the heck style I like that would go well with it.

millworkman I am redoing the entire house besides the basement. that was renovated few years back. I pretty much knocking down everything on first and second floor and rebuilding. thinkdesignlive the wall itself was not structural but there where post on the ends is a beam needs to pass somewhere in that area. I can now have a post on the wall that covers the side of the fridge and have a small wall stick out on the opposite site I agree the the wall should only go until the edge if the fridge but thought to give a drop more privacy. Kristin S I took the island as a ready made model from sketchup. I will not be doing a 2 tier island and will have storage on the seating side to accommodate the pantry I have removed from first model. I do have another nice pantry we built in the basement under the stairs but of course I rather not have to go up and down all the time. As for the living room, don't pay attention how exactly I poisoned the carpet and sofa... I just downloaded a few items from sketchup library and put it to give an idea. As for tv fireplace. Im planing on a ventless fireplace that are relatively narrow in hight. and want tv on top on an accent wall. I like that look. See attached image from Pinterest

Just putting salvaged items in a new house won't give it that "old house" look. You need an architect that understands and uses the classical rules of proportion. Understanding the use of light and shadows is also a necessary component. That's what gives old houses that pleasing to the eye appearance that is missing in most new construction. Also the windows are the "eyes" of the house and new flat windows and odd-height railings also are a give-away that a house is new or has been remuddled. Here's a resource to learn more: https://www.oldhouseguy.com/