We feel we are close to final on these plans but wanted to post to get any additional perspectives. We have 3 young children and want a 1.5 story because we like the idea of keeping our master on the main floor and giving both us and the kids some separation with a 2nd level. Our kids are good sleepers now and will only get older so no concerns with them being on a different level. We have the open switchback staircase configuration in our current house and LOVE it so that was the main criteria in designing a floor plan so that we can have open but separate entertaining spaces between a more formal great room and everyday living in the kitchen/hearth. We like to entertain and the butler's pantry will actually be more like a bar - we currently re-purpose an unused kitchen desk area as a beverage station in our house now when we have parties, so we think we will love the location of the butler's pantry to have an ice maker, beverage fridge, and glassware storage centrally located between the more formal and informal spaces of the house. We really wanted an exterior that resembled an older home so we are doing the brick/siding combo on the "garage wing" as we've been inspired by some stately older homes that have been added onto over time (and then we can blend that combo onto the rear because we likely won't be able to afford a 3 story brick wall on the walkout back). The lot is .7 acre walkout and we plan to grade it so that there is a patio off of the breakfast / hearth room and then the yard tiers down to a walkout basement below the great room.