Thank you all for your additional points. OK: No wine unit. Must get built-in fridge. Must get rid of OTR microwave. That's all settled! I have been out asking the appliance installer guys and the kitchen cabinet suppliers in our neighborhood about the brands for our neighborhood, etc. They are pretty much confirmall all you are telling me. I suppose I should call a real estate person now too, just to cover all the bases. Three more questions: 1. Are convection ovens the norm now or can I get by with a standard double oven set or just one convection (of a double oven set) and one traditional oven? 2. I don't really have a counter space issue. I don't know why in the world they put in an OTR, our cabinets are custom made by a cabinet maker and they could have put it anywhere. But I like the drawer Sharp microwave idea. I hadn't thought of that. So I was considering getting 'panel ready' appliances rather than all stainless steel. Wrong idea? 3. What about a flat screen TV mounted on the wall in the kitchen. My sister has one and her husband thinks it is really cool. Not necessary, but it seems like the men love that sort of thing. A kind of 'hook', you know. mfrog, I am sorry your saleslady said that. It seems like people these days are automatically focussed on stainless steel, even though some of it is quite ugly, and some of it is very nice, too, of course. And gita, I applaud your resourcefulness, but I'm not up to being so creative or energetic anymore! Yes, I know, the real cooks would love to install their own kitchens, but of course, it's difficult to do a remodel these days so most have to accept what is in place. The word 'gourmet' can mean many different things, I'm finding out, and it really is a silly word, isn't it?! At least we found some nice granite (while out looking at display kitchens Friday, so that's settled). I'm assuming you guys will say granite is a MUST too! Right? (Although in our house in Pasadena we had mahogany and stainless steel and a little granite too. Don't see that around here, though). You have all been very helpful! Thanks so much for the tips.

I can't tell you what an inspiration it is to see other's progress. Love your homes, they are beautiful! Yesterday, I took floor plan in to get bid on windows (Milgard) doors and interior wood trim, base, etc. I just made a guess about woodwork: something rustic and blockish that will be stained dark, kind of more old world than arts and crafts, but it was a stab in the dark (pine or walnut?). Our style hasn't really fit a mold yet, if it ever will, lol. Keep flip flopping between two ideas for the exterior, but seeing the Nichiha site helped a lot. I'd love the outside to look like the 7 dwarfs cottage /or/ a cedar mountain lodge, can't decide (duh). Here's our building site (it's changed a little since this photo): This is our inspiration: This is our house plan built: Still hope to get permits by August the soonest.

Rooftop terraces are very common on newer townhouses and duplexes in the area I live (South Florida/Miami). We are in the process of creating plans for a new townhouse and are definitely going to have a rooftop terrace. Because the lot sizes are relatively compact, a roof terrace provides an outdoor space for entertaining and privacy that the small lots usually don't allow for. We have been living in a townhouse with a 3rd floor terrace for the past 5 years and haven't experienced any leaks at all. I am attaching a few photos of what we hope our 3rd floor terrace is going to look like once we are done. Probably not THIS extravagant, but it's help to have a vision!

A little diffferent for patio or kitchen? https://www.houzz.com/products/caspian-ivory-blue-geometric-tiles-outdoor-rug-23x76-prvw-vr~25447805 https://www.houzz.com/products/kaleen-a-breath-of-fresh-air-collection-rug-310x58-prvw-vr~32742435