People are giving me a lot to think about. And I did broach the idea of a lift to DH. The lot is just over half an acre--150x160. For what it's worth, I've been watching the expanded northwest/west Chicago suburban area for homes with extra large garages (or both an attached and detached garage). There aren't many and they disappear fast. They will only appeal to a certain market, but to that market, they're in high demand. (Car collectors, people who have a hobby that requires a large workshop) As for garages in the neighborhood, the few existing homes have 2--several with an additional detached garage. The new homes mostly have 3--and a few have 4. I know it's not what everyone would do but that's one of the reasons to build instead of buy--because we can plan for the things that are important to us, even, or especially, if they're not commonly available. But when it comes right down to it, few of us only have as much house as we "need". I *need* a place to sit with a computer. I want it to be comfortable (desk with pullout keyboard tray), and I want a window to look out of, and I want to have nice furniture in it. I don't need any of those things (although my chiropractor might make an argument for the keyboard tray). But I want them and can't think of any reason why I shouldn't make them happen. We're all different--there are those on this board who prefer jack&jill bathrooms. I hate them. There are those who think a 2nd sink for a hall bathroom shared by kids is a waste of money. I disagree (and so would my kids)--but that's okay. We want a house with a large double shower and don't care at all about a soaking tub. Someone else wants that tub enough to devote 36 sq ft to it. That's all okay. Looking at houses on-line, I saw zillions of "newly remodeled kitchens" that I hated. Some were objectively bad designs. But most of them weren't--they were just finishes that I didn't like at all--and knew we'd pay a premium for that 'newly remodeled kitchen' even though I'd want to rip it all out. It's all part of why people build instead of buy. We want what we want--and some of us are fortunate enough to be able to make that happen.

I actually like the feature wall and the curtains, but think everything else in the room fights them instead of works with them. The furniture, ceiling fan, quilt, pillows etc, all feel pretty standard farmhouse/suburban master bedroom, while the accent wall and curtains feel like they could belong either in a beach house in cape cod OR a beach house in Cali/miami. The cape cod direction can work with classic furniture like yours, but the furniture all needs to be white. The white quilt would work with that style. The cali/miami direction needs white modern furniture. But the heavy dark bed isn't working with the blue wall for me. Not sure what else to tell you!

I pushed the twin bed in my office up against the walls, then had a custom slipcover for the bed and large bolsters all along the length to match. I also had two large square pillow covers made to add some contrast. Now it is a tailored daybed/sofa look instead of a twin bed.

This is what it used to look like before the hubs decided we needed a change. Still not ideal and I wasn’t in love with it but I liked it much more than what is happening in there now. It’s funny everyone is suggesting darker lamp bases. That’s what I had originally 🤷🏼‍♀️. And either way, that picture in between the drapes must go from that spot. I’m not sure what we were thinking?! The “style” of this room fits much better with the rest of our house, the more modern/Scandinavian furniture does not.