Here is a link with some helpful info... Here is a link that might be useful: Quality of fixtures

1. Your builder may have an interior designer on staff that will help with all of the interior decisions. This, of course, comes with a pricetag (maybe not a line item, but it would be included). If your builder doesn't have one on staff, your best bet would be to hire someone. When we got bids on our house, we spec'd out generals: windows, floor type, cabinet type, shower material, counter material, etc. We didn't pick the EXACT material - those were included in an allowance. When it actually came to picking WHAT floor or cabinet style, we would have used the interior designer. 2. Your stairs are narrow. 3'0" is code minimum, but that is not comfortable, especially for stairs that will be used all the time. Ours are 40" and widen to 44". You'll be going up and down them a lot so you may want something a bit roomier. 3. I agree with others about all the 2 level rooms. I would close that up in an instant. 4. You walk into your master straight into a wall. Or a closet. Consider if that's the look you want. Plus I am not a fan of double doors. One will never get used. Where is your light switch? 5. You don't have room for a freestanding tub in your master bath. Toilet room is too small for an inswing door. 10' is a HUGE vanity. 6. You'll be hauling 3 kids' laundry upstairs to do it. Consider either adding a 2nd laundry space on the main level - and teaching your kids how to share laundry machines - and/or putting in an elevator. You will not have an entirely private level unless you plan on doing all of your kids' laundry forever. 7. Having the powder room right off the kitchen may make that bath really uncomfortable for guests to use. 8. Get rid of the pocket door into the shared bath and flip that bath around so the toilet is up against the closet. That bathroom is just about the worst of a jack and jill. Consider adding a tub/shower combo in that room for resale (anyone with kids under 5 or planned kids won't want to buy your house because they'll have to have their kids bathe in the master bath and truck up and down stairs with all that goes with that). 9. Any deck that you want to use for anything other than a couple chairs needs to be at least 10'. For dining, you need at least that width for a dining table. For comfortable living room type seating, 12'-14'. 10. Do you plan to watch TV in your living room? If so, consider flipping the living and dining room, and put the TV on the bar wall. And insulate that wall. 11. Kid in the middle bedroom gets screwed. Smallest room, no direct bathroom access, and toilets on both shared walls. 12. Reconsider pantry window. Typically food should be stored in a dark place. 13. Consider having seating on the edges of your island as well - this will make for easier conversation if you actually plan on eating there. 14. 3'-6" is pretty tight between a fridge and island. This probably doesn't include fridge handles or counter overhang, either. We have 4' between ours, and it only works because it's a french door fridge.

Thank you, Cpartist. Yes, I have read much of your journey here on Houzz. I very much appreciate your attention to my project. Your points about the exterior are things I agree with. Esthetically, again: we are inspired by the northern European architecture of my husband's home country, which also repeats in the original German settler architecture in this area. But my husband likes really modern architecture. So we are imagining/aiming to create a look as if an old-world stone building was discovered and modernized. So many beautiful examples of this... I also hate the look of the many small windows on the north elevation. But my conflict/compromise is that each of the interior spaces really improves with the window there. And they are all small spaces. (Bathroom, stairwell, playroom nook, playroom loft and upstairs dressing room). What do you recommend? Making those spaces windowless? I had thought to just let ivy grow over/around the front around the door, to emphasize it. Staircase: I agree. We hate the spiral staircase, but a long, straight one just wouldn't fit. I agree that it would be way better to have the stairs all in one flight. But the problem there was a conflict between: 1. the third floor needs to open onto it's deck, over the covered outdoor area (which is to the south for many reasons) 2. The best place for the stairs are near the entrance so the living spaces aren't interrupted (right?). Which means that to have both, the 3rd floor would be huge, spanning the length of the front to the back, which we don't need and couldn't afford. I totally agree and I am irked by the waste of space between kitchen and living room. Do you have suggestions? The architect thought it was okay and would end up being used as an entry space for people to gather/say goodbye at gatherings. The outdoor grill: there is a passthrough window from the kitchen on the south east corner... (So looking forward to that feature.) Powder room: yes, the location of this room is the thing I dislike the most. But every other spot I put it seemed worse: with a door potentially opening to a main living space ... Smells, sounds etc. Where would you put it in this plan? (I am 100% influenced by older architecture scale of this room... I just think it's enough... Though I also hear the note about accessibility, and would like to improve that aspect.) TV spot: Again, we aren't watching TV much, and when we do we are all together. The architect thought it would be awesome to be so close and tight. He said it "will feel like you are in your movie" (also it's about as far away as we are now) Thank you, Cpartist! I appreciate your input.

I guess it is just me, but I really do not see any issues with the columns... They are substantial; and it is nice to see columns that look like they could actually hold something up! In fact, I don’t see any problems with the exterior structure of the house. I also think the new white paint color(s) look good; and I suspect the OP may feel differently, after getting adjusted to the dramatic change. The landscaping also looks good; although I might focus a bit more there, as well as perhaps enhanced lighting around house and on grounds. A landscape designer might be helpful, at least for a consultation. Still retaining simple landscaping, as you have it now, OP - simple and modern type of landscaping. I just think it could possibly be a bit more cohesive, as well as more striking. And I think this may give the exterior more of the visual interest, that you perceive as lacking now, because of the color change.