I totally agree with the hallway comment. I'm really concerned about it and that is truly the main reason I tried to post the updated plans here. As far as squaring up that corner... it is hard to describe what happens to the contour of the land. It falls away in that direction so the view is absolutely the best off of that corner. I can't turn the house because there is no way for the garage to work out. Like I said, it is very difficult to describe. I will attach our first attempt at a house plan, which was drawn to take advantage of the lay of the land. There were quite a few issues with this version. Mainly, we were told the cost for all the peculiar angles would be very expensive. We tried to enlarge, improve and still incorporate the best view. If we moved this portion to the basement then we would square up the corner and incorporate more windows. I'm really hoping someone can suggest a better flow/layout on that side. I am very happy with the master portion. We currently live in a house where the bedrooms are all together, and with teenagers it really isn't optimal... Thanks again for the input!!! Saftgeek-

brutuses, my door is where your picture is taken from - the vanity is on the right side of the far wall, and the toilet is on the left side. The mirror above the vanity was pieced together from 2 (3?) pieces of furniture that we salvaged post-Katrina, and does not allow room for a wall sconce. We could put in our two sconces like your outside 2, or we could center them in the flanking walls. DH set the boxes a couple of hours ago, centered in the flanking walls. But because they are not flanking the vanity, 66" looked too low, especially with the 10' ceiling. I think DH set them at 72". Not ideal, but I think we can live with it. I might go back and see how they look if we placed them like yours - now's the time to change them. This site is a blessing and a curse - this is something I have never noticed before, but now that I know how and more importantly, why they should be at 66", I am going to fret over it until the decision is made!

Well...I need to find this layout program so I can not use so many words, but in the meantime... I'd try dividing the space into 2 areas, divided by the front door walkway. Both of my ideas involve moving that TV, though. I don't feel that TV is ideally placed for this room to function well... Option #1 - Move the TV and couch to the R side of the room. The TV/entertainment center (though I like TV's on the wall these days) could serve as the 'focal point' on that side of the room while the fireplace does the same for the other half. It's all about lounging/watching TV over there - while the L side provides a conversation area around the fireplace. I'd put a chair on each side of the fireplace (wing backs, etc) - which would also serve to hide that window unit. Option #2 - Move the TV over in front of the window unit. Put the couch facing the fireplace and perhaps a chair on each side with a coffee table/ottoman in the middle? The R side of the room then becomes a conversation area away from the TV. Or, a game table and chairs could provide another function. Or, if the family is musical, a piano and sitting area would be nice. Or, if the family is full of bibliophiles, bookcases along the perimeter and some cozy sitting areas for reading would provide a third option to help the house/room function. Or, I could shut my mouth and try to go play with the floor planner. Time to try to put my money where my mouth is. lol

Laughable, I love your home. I think what you and your husband have created is wonderful. Makes me green with envy that your DH is so handy, after all Handy Smurf was my favourite. I really like your suggestion to have the trash on the side and the sink at the end. However I just measured that I only have about 12" before the 24" duct run. I don't know if the 12" is enough to run pipes and drains and maybe place a left draining sink there? Now that you've had your DW in the island, would you do it again? Or would you move it to the clean up sink? Holly and Kirkhall, thanks for your input. Kirkhall, you probably have it right that I'm only seeing the now and that I load the DW and do most everything for my children. However, I like the placement of the ovens and like the counter by the fridge for the beverage centre. If I keep my sink in the current spot, would you have the DW to the right of the clean up sink, then 12" cabinet then cooktop? I can't currently put it on the left because there's a small duct running in that corner (waiting to hear back if it can be rerouted) but also I only have 22" clearance on that wall before the bow window starts. Or another option I was thinking was to nix the overhang on that small section of the island (ie only one seat on that side), put the DW at the end of the run, then the prep sink, prep tools/in-counter compost and then trash. Thanks again for your help Jams