Most experienced architects will have a list of contractors they've worked with in the past. I've always talked with several contractors before choosing one, but all candidates are from a list of recommended contractors supplied by my architect. I've never had an architect steer me wrong. They know who the qualified contractors are, and they know with whom they can work successfully. In fact, when interviewing prospective contractors, I usually have the architect set up the meetings and sit in. It makes everything go much more smoothly, and ensures that the contractor is clear on all facets of the program in the event that he's asked to work up an estimate or proposal. I'm a little puzzled how an experienced architect could come up with a plan that wasn't buildable. There's sometimes a little fine tuning that needs to be done...but that shouldn't cause any major upsets. I still recommend getting your plans finalized before talking with contractors. You'll get a much more accurate estimate -- if the contractor doesn't have to include any allowances in the numbers he works up. James

Sectionals are generally mistakes for several reasons. No one wants to be wedged in the corner, so that is wasted space. They are big and bulky and take up too much visual space in a small area. They are not versatile and rarely can be moved to another room or another apartment or house. In the are on the other side of your kitchen, I would buy a rectangular dining table and chairs. The table should seat at least four people. Think about getting one with a leaf to sit 6 and buy two extra chairs that you can store somewhere, or buy two really nice folding chairs you can store somewhere. Like under your bed. In the living room, I would put your television on the wall perpendicular to the window. Only get a big entertainment unit if you need the storage space. Other wise, just get a low media unit and put the television on top. Put your sofa, a three cushion sofa for normal size adults in a non-fussy tuxedo style facing that wall that is perpendicular to the window. You can put two chairs that are either upholstered or combination wood and upholstery of the mid-century modern or Danish type perpendicular to the sofa. You can put a side table between the two chairs, and either a square coffee table in front of the sofa, or a big square ottoman with a big tray to hold drinks, snacks, etc. And when you don't have company, you can put your feet up. and you can always get another side table for the other side of the sofa. On the wall next to the kitchen on the other side of the cooktop, you can put bookshelves and even a desk and chair, if you need one. This is a tuxedo sofa. They come in different sizes. These are large ottomans in leather in two different styles

If you keep the stairs as is, you might consider using the entire space beneath them as storage space -- even the steps can be made into drawers facing the person walking up them and/or the storage can be accessible from the side. Consider the possibility of adding a shelf (with or without a hinge top door) around the room(s) above the windows for lesser used items (you'd need to have a (folding) steps tool or step ladder to access) -- books in open shelving in the living areas and, in the bedroom areas, winter items in summer and vise versa; holiday items; travel accessories, etc. BBQ tongs can help you retrieve a blanket from such shelves as fall turns to winter ... no step stool needed. Choosing vertical furnishings can give you more storage for less floor space used. A storage ottoman can do double duty as can some coffee tables. Using upscale wood filing cabinets for end tables and side tables can give you lockable storage.

I suggest that you measure all of your furniture and make small paper images of them to scale with the floor plan. Then you can move these around to see what might fit where. Have you thought about how you will separate the sleeping area from the living room? There are interesting ideas on this site--curtains, bookcases, folding screens, etc. You also have to think about where to keep your stuff--laptop especially.