I was just looking in to Connor Homes and found these comments helpful. I have been disappointed that after several attempts to reach them I have not received any return phone calls or emails. I'm in New Hampshire and kept trying to find out more information when I stumbled on only TWO local articles stating that Connor Homes just laid off their entire workforce. One article was published by a local Vermont newspaper on January 3, 2017 and the other on January 4,2017. Connor Homes Lays off workforce - Jan 4, 2017 the other article is longer and states the entire workforce is furloughed for the entire month while they re-group; Connor Homes furloughs entire workforce to "regroup financially" - For me I plan to stay away. I was wondering why their process timeline was 11-12 months which is as long or longer than stick built. Now I know why and for anyone looking at them note that I had to really dig to find these local Vermont articles about the layoff of the entire company, not a good sign.

Woodnymph, re Middlemarch: She [your friend] claims it is the greatest classic in the English language, and an early feminist work. Do you agree with my friend about "Middlemarch"? Your friend agrees with Virginia Woolf who famously said of George Eliot's magnum opus that it is "one of the few English books written for grown-up people." AS Byatt, another writer who admires Eliot, says "it's one of the greatest novels of all." It has undoubtedly been interpreted as an early feminist work -- at least it was later adopted by feminists who have chosen to see the feminist angle as Eliot's main intent. I don't necessarily agree with your friend or Woolf or Byatt or the legions of readers who subscribe to the feminist interpretation. While it seems to be true that Eliot (Mary Ann Evans) chafed under the strictures on women during the Victorian era, there is also good evidence that her political and religious stances were just as important to her in her writing. Mary, I've had problems with everything I've tried to read by Eliot. Her style is didactic. She also tended to get preachy, although she eventually disavowed formal religion. Many readers during the nineteenth century had a higher tolerance for slow development of story/plot, minutiae, and flowery phrasing than many readers have today -- I'm one of them. To me Middlemarch is a slow soap opera. Another problem I have with Eliot's style is it ignores the writing dictum of "show, don't tell." For instance, Eliot tells her readers (in third person) that her character Dorothea Brooke is a paragon -- over and over she reminds us readers, lest we forget -- but I don't think she shows us very often how or why Dorothea is an exemplar. Eliot makes similar pronouncements about many of her other characters. Middlemarch is long and it has so many characters that I have a hard time remembering most of them. I suppose it might be a worthy book to study -- taking notes, drawing up lineage charts, putting certain aspects of the development of 19th century British politics, cultural mores, and the Industrial Revolution in rough chronology. I didn't find, however, that Eliot's style (by itself) made these things clear enough. It didn't entertain me enough to help me find those subjects memorable, either. Of course, it's a matter of an individual reader's taste and mood. I don't particularly want to be told that a work is classic, when I want to make up my own mind about it.

Your situation sounds like ours in regards to building-height limitations, though I'm guessing that our codes are a little more lenient. Unfortunately, we had to minimize the cornice / entablature on the main structure of our home due to exceeding our city's maximum building-height. Personally, if I was in your situation, I would consider the 10' / 8' ceilings, also. Based on historical norms, it was not unheard of to diminish details (i.e., ceiling heights, trim, door size, etc.) as one progressed from formal areas to informal areas such as to bathrooms, bedrooms, and upper levels. So, going from a 10' main level to 8' upper level should not feel drastic, especially if some type of continuity or rhythm is maintained between the two floors. When I was doing my research for our home, I looked at what seemed like a trillion pictures and historical floor plans for additional inspiration to supplement my reference books. Though we are located in an area where many historical homes are still standing, looking at real estate listings online (which there are websites dedicated to aggregating listings for historical homes) actually proved quite beneficial for both me and our architect. And, I learned quite a few new architectural terms that appear to no longer be in usage any more. In regards to the exterior cornice details, much of what you will be able to achieve is going to be determined by what you are wanting to do on the interior of your home as well as the window placements. Also, your overall building height will, in turn, affect your cornice dimensions. So, you will need to pay close attention to those details. Again, this is a great place where Get Your House Right was invaluable. Some other books that I would like to suggest to you are: - A Field Guide to American Houses by Virginia Savage McAlester-- with your situation, this book would be a great asset. In it, you will find details regarding the defining aspects of historical architecture in America. The author includes lots of photos, and there is a section on Colonial Revival homes. - anything by Gil Schafer. I loved looking at his interpretations of "new-old" homes and historical renovations. - American House Styles by John Milnes Baker -- this is a great complement to the Virginia McAlester book. He takes a simple house plan and moves it through the stages of historical architecture. He, also, gives what I would consider a succinct explanation of each period. Lastly, in regards to the lighting: I understand about the opportunity being lost for those wonderful hanging lights. But, do consider that what you will save cost-wise in that area, can be applied to another space such as a foyer, living or dining room. Also, do check out stores that sell historic lighting (i.e, Rejuvenation). When I was creating the lighting list for our cost structures, I came across some GORGEOUS, multi-light flush-mount fixtures that would not work in our home due to the height of the ceilings and size of rooms.

@Design Girl - I asked the rep to order a larger sample of the Thassos Bold Basketweave. The largest rectangular piece is representative of the size of the white pieces. When I put them up against the subway tile I plan to use, I notice the ratio of L x W is very different. Would that bother you? I'm attaching the large patter and the small. Anyone else care to comment? Thanks! Photo of Bold Basketweave floor tile and subway wall tile