Yep, I used to hope I was a 6a, but given what died over the winter, I'm definitely not. Doesn't seem to pay to be too optimistic around here when it comes to overwintering plants. Ian (Boulder)

Thanks for all of the reviews. I will make sure to change the swing of the bathroom doors and will most likely make the pantry door a single outward swinging door. As for the family room, it's 18 x 18'2 including fireplace and built-ins. I'd like it a little bigger but we're tweaking an original plan and trying to only make minor changes to keep the costs down. I think since it's an open plan, I'm ok with the size. I've measured the size against our current family room and I've seen pictures of the family room in a built house and it seems large enough. lyfia, I hear what you're saying about the location of the laundry room but it doesn't really bother me. As for the front porch, I think it's 7' but that is the one last thing I have to confirm. I agree that 7' should be the minimum. Yes, we'll change the french doors to sliders. That works much better. gobruno, I hear what you're saying about the bedroom with the small dormer as the only source of natural light. Unfortunately, in order to keep the elevation the same, I don't think there's much we can do. I'm going to look at pictures of larger dormers to see if we want to make them larger. There are skylights in the playroom but I think we're going to add a large dormer instead. Thank you all for the reviews!

I am doing a similiar layout (but I would kill for a mudroom like you have). I have no design expertise, but I will tell you what I have decided. I have my one kitchen window in the same spot as yours and I too wanted a nice big span. I decided to go with a bay window which will give alot of light, but the angle will make it a bit less wide. Can you move your doorway to the DR to the right a bit so that the doorway will align with your kitchen aisle and create a corner of doors with your mudroom doorway? Can size of mudroom doorway be reduced as well? I would put a wall mounted bench along your half wall for table seating. This will give you more space as you do not have to allow room for chairs to push back against the half wall. Also, it will be easy to get in and out of a single bench, so the dreaded "stuck in the middle" drawback shouldn't be an issue. This configuration may allow you to get a slightly wider table and you can easily push the table against the wall when you need to. I dwelled alot on fridge placement. My KD insisted that left of the window was the only place for a fridge. Ultimately, while I like the convience that placement offers for proximity to sink and kitchen table, I did not like that this focal point spot in my kitchen would contain a big box. In my layout, the eye is drawn to the sink wall as yours will be. Be sure you are ok with this placement. Lastly, I too wanted to go with a cooktop and wall ovens, but I did not like the layout limitations that came along with this. I decided to do a 36" range instead. Why not do a 36, or even 42" professional range. It might work better for your layout. Good luck!

I like just plain white or a simple look with no black in it actually. Like this? Just plain and simple and let beauty of the tile do the talking!) Let the vanity and subway tile be all glossy and they hex of the tile will be showy enough. I think she could subway most everything and if she really loves they other she could trim it off and talk to Dad about buttering the tiles. Butter up Dad maybe! LOL! Or they make it colorful in really pretty floral designs! That would really be nice but you's probably have to stick to a subway tile. I shall go hide from your husband now, just as I hid from my tilesetter!!!!