1st Floor and Lower Level

This is essentially the layout we are going to use. We are very happy with the layout, and pretty much everything works. We are trying to work one thing out related to interior support for the load bearing wall, and weather its going to run down almost the center along the dining room wall and bathroom wall, or on the wall that is the support for the stairs, and pantry. Based on the conversations that I have had, it sounds like we are going to be able to do what I would like to do, but I am going to leave it alone until I know more as I could go on for a while about it. Something that will change in the layout is the windows that we are going to be adding in the kitchen. Materials wise, we are going to be putting hardwood floor throughout the first floor with the exception of the entrance hall, the bathroom, and the apron at the base of the fireplace extending over to the butler's pantry. This has been something we are going back and forth on, as we like the idea of running tile from the entry all the way down the hallway into the kitchen, but we are just really worried about how hard that tile is going to be under our feet, and how it might also feel cold under our feet.

There is also more definition on the layout of the back area around the garage, and you can see the small trees they are hoping to plant right up next to the walls. The tall thin trees will help to draw the eye up to the top of the garage and over from the deck. We feel like this is something that is necessary due to the proximity of the garage and the house being so close.

You can also see that we are starting to add the functional parts of the home to the design as well. Areas like the utility room in the basement are starting to show electrical panels, the furnace, and the on-demand hot water heaters.