Thank you everyone for your critique so far! chisue - I agree with the arched entry. We originally had a gable, but it interfered with the dormer. Arches are typically more expensive so when our builder did not charge us any additional for it, we decided to keep it. The main thing we wanted in our new house was to have 'one' continuous open room between the kitchen, dining room, and living room. By moving the fireplace between the DR and LR, I agree that it would give us a good view, but it would kill the one reason we went with this house. Plus there is already a fireplace in the LR; There's not a 2nd livable story on the house. The stairs are in the garage because it's for the storage space above the garage. The foyer is actually vaulted into the dining room so the dormer is there for looks and as function by letting in natural light into the dining room; We made the back of the house sort of off-center because I personally don't like sides of houses that are just straight without any personality. I think too many people think of the front of their houses, but aren't thinking of the sides of their houses. Since we have an L-shaped house, I thought it was even more important to have some kind of feature instead of an endless expanse; I also agree about having the master closet within the master bathroom. The reason we went this route is to enable us to have longer wall space. I do like your idea of having 1 door in the middle that access both the bathroom and closet, but this would essentially split up a wall in half; I'll check out the kitchen forums as I'm not too happy about the corner pantry, but my wife insists on it!

I may be reading into your 'gut,' because I think it agrees with what I like ;-)... But the one with the white/stainless fridge and yellow oven/pantry really speaks to me. I thought having both tall cabs in white somehow chopped up the kitchen and diminished how the yellow grounded the room. And I didn't like them both trying to be matched in either color, because then they connected and took over the room. The oven cabinet looks somehow warmer and homier in color. It creates more of a natural-feeling unfittedness. The oven cab seemed too sterile and modern in the white, and as I said, the yellow bases flow better with it the same color. I know my input is just an opinion, and on just a drawing to boot. It seems you know what you want in your gut, but are 2nd guessing and wanting some kind of sure encouragement. But it's your kitchen, and we'll all have our own preferences. Your choices prove your good eye. I thought I grew past yellow ...used to love its sunny disposition in my bedroom as a teen, but it usually seems too baby shower to me now. So when I just started this thread, I thought "Too much yellow!" But as I read and saw more pics of your choices and how it's all coming together, I really love it all, and am excited to see it finished!! I think a lot of people want to use it and fight against it, at the same time, and you are just "all in." The layering of the yellows work like the white-on-white that's been popular recently, but with a braver twist. I think the 'mistake' with your wall color was a good one. ;-)

Thanks everyone! I believe I will go with wood posts only. Annie, we have the material onsite for 8inch square, but I'm going to look into going maybe 10 inches or more on the posts. I agree they must be substantial with that roof line. Daisychain01, I'm not sure on the color yet. We will wait until this summer before painting. I think we will definitely go lighter than darker. My asphalt roof is very prominent on the sides of the home with Brown, grey and green in it. It's going to be trickey trying to come up with a color. Any suggestions would be welcomed. I'm not sure what we will do with the porch floor yet. I don't like the maintenance of wood, but I sure love the beauty of it. My home faces south, but with the generous overhang, I beleive it will be protected more than the one I have now. Kswl2, I purchased the metal roof from Bruce and Dana. The color is Charcoal. I also loved their Forest Green, Blue and Red colors. Thanks again everyone! I will post a photo when we get further along.

Do you really need 'privacy' in the kitchen? It doesn't look like people can see in from the street. How often do people go down your driveway? How easy is it to see in from the path? My guess is that if you are at a sink under the window, maybe they can see if and if they tiptoe through your flower bed, they can see right in, but who does that? It's the window to the left of the door that might be a problem with privacy. You don't want a tree blocking your entrance. As it is, it looks visually barricaded and not welcoming.