I'm not seeing any plans...might want to try again. Looking forward to seeing it, though :)

I would want a window over my tub in the master bath, to grow orchids.

That's just me though.

The first paragraph is a link (it's so hard to tell with this green text!)

Wow, look at all those corners - expensive house to build. What does the roofline look like? What part of the country do you live in and where is north on the floor plan? Which side(s) will have the walk-out basement?

Yeah, I posted this as soon as we got it, but as my husband and I have been reviewing it this evening, lots of things we don't like. The kitchen seems very inefficient. Ugh....back to the drawing board. We were so excited at the thought we might be making progress finally.

I think I'd like the pantry to be more accessible from in the kitchen, unless you're not planning to use it for everyday items.
We've changed our plans around so much since we first started, but there are a couple of spots that have stayed the same. Make note of what you really like and then go from there!

Is that the master shower, bigger than the powder room? And the master bath in general is way too big. And the bedroom is as big as the living room. Reconsider the allotment of space and where they are.

Okay...working with what you have, I think this might be a better use of space and those corners. This home really would look good with a corner fireplace! All that 'formal layout' of the original fireplace does not work with the angles, IMHO.

I can see the architect is trying to 'line up' the windows on the exterior...but again, formal thinking in a not formal plan. Keeping the window 'as is' I moved the tub to take more advantage of the space. It is a big room, but it's what you had....so, I added a little seat and to make Josephene happy, a place for orchids :)

And...being that this is/was Gardenweb, I added some garden accents, including the pergola over the kitchen window, which I made larger.

I think that's where the fridge was (hard to read) but I moved the oven (second oven?) and microwave over to that area. Great snack space with little sink. And the new island should work better in the space...hope this helps!

Oh...forgot fireplace in keeping room/library. Added shelves on each side (maybe high windows above?) and shelves on each side of French doors into space. Great space to curl up with a book!

Thanks for the input. You are confirming some of our thoughts. I told my husband the master bedroom and bathroom seem to be disproportionately large relative to the main living areas. And the shower is larger than the entire only full bathroom in our current home!! LOL. Our builder built a modified Nantahala that we looked at that had the huge double-entry walk- in shower and I think he didn't scale it back as much as we wanted. I don't want to waste space in the master bath...I didn't even want double sinks in there, but he insisted.

One more idea....smaller master bath and doors that do NOT open into toilet area and shower. Much safer if the doors open out (in case of fall) and changed to one sink.

If the builder is insisting on double sinks...now is the time to explain that YOU are paying and HE is building. He can suggest double sinks or explain in his opinion that they're better for resale...but he cannot insist.

Also, I suggest (not insist) that you consider a small chair by the tub. Maybe a little wicker one...someplace to throw a towel or set a book. I saw this in a home years ago and it was SO cozy. Plus, easy enough to move later, if you want another plant :)

Given that your previous post was how-to-cut-back-on-cost I think it only fair to mention that this house will do quite the opposite. It looks quite expensive to build with lots of roof changes, exterior angles and exterior corners. Remember, every time you have an exterior corner or another roof peak you subtract a significant amount of money from your pocket. Some of the bump outs are next to useless. The one in the master shower for example. Just make the wall straight. I bet straightening out that wall and losing the roof change above it will still make a pretty house and will save you several thousand dollars.

mammabear-do you have 5 at home still? I would definitely want a 1/2 bath off of the garage by your mudroom/laundry so the littles aren't going through the whole house to use the facilities while taking a break from playing outside - or when they come home sick from school and can barely make it to the door.

Also, from experience - ours shares a wall with the living room and it's really not all that private or quiet even though the door is off the hallway. I'd definitely change it's location 'next time'.

Based on your need to meet a challenging budget, perhaps you need to have a conversation with whomever was the driving force behind suggesting all of those expensive angles. A more appropriate home for a limited budget would be an old fashioned Colonial or Foursquare. This home is so far from being a budget home as well as having such poor space allocation and flow that I would be hesitant to move forward with the individual responsible for producing it. Unless you the customer were in the drivers seat on the above that is. Then I would still be hesitant to deal with someone who couldn't bring those issues to your attention in a forceful manner.

One thing I would like to add here, when you are picking a plan please remember, people tend to pick plans based on the exterior aesthetic appeal. But, you don't live on the outside of your house. Not that you should pick an ugly house, but do yourself a favor go to some open houses. Find a few that you would actually think about buying. Then look at why. For most people the exterior of the house will come in far behind the interior, the yard, and the location.

It is just a natural bias, we tend to like pretty things in pictures and functional things in reality.

If you're on a tight budget...this plan might be too big and sprawling. But, I do like it. I like the library/keeping room/sun room...and I really like the big pantry and laundry room. The dining area is a nice size and the great room is very inviting. Of course, I like it with all MY changes! LOL But it is a nice plan :)

Here's Autumn's idea...and it's a VERY good one! Powder room by the mudroom. One question...are the kids going to use this access or out the deck? Do you want them walking through garage? Would you rather have another door to backyard in this area? Here's powder room in current plan....

Thank for the ideas, everyone, and for making changes, Lavender Lass. Funny you mention the great room fireplace being moved to the corner....my husband suggested that to free up a wall for the television (which I didn;t think would look right on a stone chimney above the fireplace) but I wasn;t sure if that would work in this room or might look strange. Apparently not! I would love to find a way to move the MBR to the end of the house (switching places with the WIC I suppose) to have windows on 2 walls, but I don't see a way to do that without needing to create a hallway, which seems like wasted space.

I think the area where the steps are could be made smaller, and also think the MBR is bigger than we need, so may shave off some square feet there, too.

One thing in response to some of the above posts - we are not looking to build a "budget home" and understand this is not an inexpensive house to build. I am a bit of a penny-pincher, not out of need, but just am. My prior posts were based on wondering if it is strange to have a fairly large, nice custom home with some non-luxurious finishes - such as higher end laminate instead of marble or granite. Also, someone mentioned choosing for interior vs. exterior. We have totally done that with this house....I honestly really don't even care all that much for the exterior of this house- but like the general idea of the layout and that is much more important to me. We drive a Ford Flex....we think it's really very ugly on the outside, but we *love* the inside and that is what sold us on it. LOL

Sorry for the long-winded post!

I know bedrooms with windows on two walls are popular...and often a good idea. If you need the air flow, more light, kids' rooms, etc. But, if you are up on a hill and on a farm...that closet might protect you from the wind and be more energy efficient.

Not every room needs windows on two sides. Just something to think about :)

Good thoughts - thanks. One plus for us is that we have free, unlimited natural gas, so heating bills are not a huge concern. Which comes in handy for our current home that is a big old, drafty farmhouse. :)

lavender - yes, just like that. :)

Given that you say, "I am a bit of a penny-pincher" and "honestly really don't even care all that much for the exterior of this house," I would recommend seeing an architect or a very experienced designer. My best guess is that you have somewhere between $30,000 and $60,000 in roof and bumpouts that only serve to make the exterior pretty. Many of them are a lot of money for low impact even! E.g. master shower and study.