These have been simmering for quite a while and we'd love to hear any comments and/or suggestions.

Our lot is a little under an acre, wooded and backs to conservancy land. It slopes away from the street in an easterly direction. The house will be sited back from the street.

We are empty nesters and hope to remain in the home well into retirement. It is designed for one floor living, with space for visiting family in the (walkout) lower level. There is also an "away room" that will serve as office/studio space and is accessed by a spiral staircase. (We realize that there could come a time when we can no longer manage those stairs but plan to enjoy the view while we can.)

The house was designed with the "daytime", public rooms on the south side to maximize light and passive solar. Most of the windows are on the south and east sides, with higher windows on the north and west walls. We are planning four foot eaves (generally a "Prairie-style"). The garage is detached and will also contain a good amount of storage since there is not a lot in the house.

A few other notes-- There is a half-wall between the library and living room. Folding doors between the dining room and (screened) loggia. Washer/ dryer are stacked in the master closet with the linen closet opposite. (We'll also plumb for a washer and dryer in the utility room downstairs.) The somewhat over-sized closet in the powder room will house the litter box and cat feeding area.

The kitchen/pantry/mudroom layout has evolved. I will try to post those drawings separately.

There is a primary guest room with en suite bath and a second guest room with a hall bath. Those bathroom layouts have changed a little. Most significant is that we have taken the last few feet of the mechanical room to create a bathtub alcove for the hall bath, so the room is not so tight. The lounge/music room (off the lower level family room) can serve as a guest room in a pinch. TV watching will happen in the downstairs family room but the living room will be wired for it to keep that option open.

We did our best to remove the callout numbers to make the plans easier to read. Apologies for any difficulties and thanks in advance for any responses. (Two more files to follow.)

~Annie