The picture's small, so I'm having trouble deciphering some things.

First thing I notice is that you're wasting your prime Southern exposure on the garage.

I like the kitchen layout, though I think the island needs to be turned the other direction; it should lie parallel to the longest cabinet run. I'd probably move the sink to the longest cabinet run and keep the island completely free for prep work -- that suits the way I cook, and sinks in islands are tricky and expensive. The pantry is well-placed and convenient to the garage. I like that you have two entrances to the laundry.

I agree that you're going to be skimpy on upper cabinets. Could you make the pillar /column to the far left of the island into a tall, skinny store-dishes-here cabinet? Perhaps with glass-front, brought all the way down to the countertop -- more of a tower than an upper. It would make your dishes convenient both to the dishwasher and the dining area.

How wide is the hallway from the garage to the kitchen? That's a major thoroughfare, and I wouldn't skimp on its width.

I share your concern about the living room being a little narrow -- not much though: Just another couple feet would make it comfortable. And, at the same time, I think the dining room might be overly wide -- unless your table is round.

In our old house, we had a living room and dining room that "backed up to one another" like your plan -- and one thing I LOVED was that in the spring and summer we'd open the windows on each side, and we'd get the most wonderful breezes through the house.

I think the placement of the fireplace is awkward. I can't imagine how the furniture will be placed.

The kids' bathroom with the double-sinks -- the vanity is no way big enough to support two sinks. It's not generously sized for one sink.

Could that bathroom be flip-flopped with the closet so it could have natural light? If you can, work in two doors from the two bedrooms; you have the half bath, so you don't need hallway access.

Your plumbing is strung out all over the house, which is expensive to build . . . and is a maintenance issue later.

I don't like the entryway. I think it's going to feel . . . odd. Too open. No definition. It's like you'd walk into the house, and you're suddenly too exposed. You don't have any "welcoming" room before you're thrown into the house. I'm not putting my finger on the real reason -- those are kind of approximations.

Is the music area the spot next to the entrance -- the spot with the bay window? If so, wouldn't you want some acoustical privacy for a music room? You mentioned bookshelves. In this area, I'd consider a half-high bookshelf that would 1) divide the entryway from the music area and 2) provide space for music books and other storage.

Is that a skylight or an island in the master closet? If it's a skylight, you're good; however, if it's an island, I don't think it's big enough -- to support an island, a closet would have to be at least 12' wide. Think it through: 2' on each side for clothes, 3' walk ways on each side of the island, 2' for the island itself. And that's minimum -- not a lovely wide area like the magazines show.

I can't find the front door! Maybe I am just tired.

Mrs Pete- THANK you for your input- I am very grateful indeed….you have helped me make changes to the bedrooms so that the bathroom has natural light and the double sinks are the appropriate length….
I looked at the building site again and actually the south side of the house is directly to the back side of the home so the garage in reality is west facing….
My main issue right now is the way the kitchen is coming together….I really wish the pantry was accessible to the kitchen so I could walk directly into it….
I don't know how to get a "foyer" into the front of the house without losing the view- my DH is insistent that the front of the house is OPEN…..if ANYONE has new ideas I will gladly take them :)

Dekeoboe- you are not too tired :) the front door is IN the front of the house- its an OPEN foyer- DH wants to it to be open…any suggestions…..
I have toyed with making the entrance to the side of porch? Or adding some square feet /depth to the entry way to make it a little more dedicated foyer- frustrated by this….advice!

Thank you to anyone who wants to add their two cents!

If you indicated where you are building this home, I missed it. If it is in zone 7 or colder, you might need to have a closet for guest's coats and to store some of you own.

Do not be afraid to have skylights in the breakfast nook and kitchen, that natural light will help open it up. Also the garage, that extra bit of light will keep it from being dark and dreary.

Steps to a basement? Or what?

Try to figure out your furniture spacing by creating a large grid. Cut out paper to scale for all of your furniture (and piano) and move them around to determine whether sizes and placements will really work.

As you consider all the options, don't forget your landscaping near the front door/porch. What kind and how big will make a difference. Remember that your guests will see that before they enter the front door. Also, if your spouse wants that open feel, a consideration needs to be in place for whatevers.

Jim