I have remote control window coverings in my bedroom (which are also programmable) and the only reason not to do them (aside from cost) is that you will love them so much you will want them everywhere! To answer the question -- I'd do top down, bottom up blackouts on the regular windows and regular blackout on the clerestory. That way a person who likes it dark could have it dark and a person who likes a little light (but still wants privacy) could put the regular window shades down from the top to let in a little light.

What color, sheen and texture are your own floors? We have Brazilian Walnut low sheen, no bevels in the kitchen & dining room and a Gun Stock Oak w/bevels and high gloss sheen in the living room and remainder of the first floor. Did you choose them yourself? Yes, we chose two different species because the oak has too much grain and it would have been too busy with our oak cabinets. How do you like living with them or what would you prefer? We love our floors. We installed our own and it was definitely worth the effort and expense. I think there are pro's and con's to both types. Oak hides dirt better, but it's stained and scratches can cut through the stain and show more. If we ever sand them, it's nice that we have the option to choose a different stain color. I also love that the Brazilian Walnut. A plus to me is that it's different and not many people have it. I also like that it's dark. While it does not show dings and/or scratches, it does show dirt a little more than the oak which is something to consider. The cool thing about the Walnut is it's solid Walnut with no stain. The planks are the same color all the way through and no matter how many times it's sanded, it will always finish with the same beautiful look. It's also one of the hardest woods there is (comparable to teak) and was harder to install. Oak may be more common but it has a timeless look to it that most likely will never go out of style. Our oak floor looks like other pictures already posted and I have pictures of the walnut flooring posted in this thread. What is your decorating style? Here is a link that might be useful: Brazilian Walnut

It would depend on my age. Face it, vacation isn't a big thing when so many people have sick leave that they use as vacation. $5,000? Depends on what I'm making! 'Twer I Donald Trump... Job security is often made through performance. If you use the do as little as you can to not get fired approach to work ethic, then yes, security would be a big thing. Valuable employees usually have job security. Flexible hours is unbelievably valuable. Again, much depends on the job though. People getting into 50+ thinking a pay raise is a big thing are short-sighted, same with the pie-in-the-sky job security, though this is all hypothetical anyway. When you realize that medical costs are going to increase nearly daily, your health seldom improves with age and considering everything, for someone in the states to not look at health benefits (not just insurance), well, that's no-brainer AFAIC.

I enjoy looking out at my backyard when I am on the computer.Looking out my living room window isn't bad, the cemetery is right across the street. In the winter we have snow and it makes everything look even better. I would prefer mountains and woodsy but just for a vacation home. I am happy where I am. I enjoy having coffee on my deck and looking up at the bluest sky which I did not see in CA with the air pollution.