Just to follow up on some of the posts . . . kitchendetective - touche! justgotabeme - the "garage" is actually a separate pavilion next to the main house. It is also a glass box, and apparently has been staged as some sort of classic auto showroom with a lounge area. As for the issue of windows and privacy -- take a look again at the photos. There are matching, unobtrusive pinch-pleat draperies throughout the house (I love how the hardware is concealed by the ceiling in the living room). I've attached a link to some additional photos so you can see that the draperies really are in almost every room. This particular house sits on a wooded acre, so there is definitely an element of privacy. And that's where the glass boxes are -- on secluded lots. In neighborhoods and tract developments, designs like Eichler built were far more common. As Pal mentioned, the street and public facades on those are more protected, while the houses open up to the rear or to an internal courtyard/atrium. Our half-glass box sits in the middle of three acres. We've been here about four years and I can say that the glass --the exposure, the openness -- is something you get used to quickly, and then becomes something you miss when you're somewhere more enclosed. We have linen sheers on the windows in the bedrooms, but no window dressings of any kind in the main room. There are two neighbors who could spy on us with binoculars if so inclined, but it just doesn't occur to us to worry about it. Here is a link that might be useful: Cameron's curtains

That's why the criteria for retiring is entirely different than those for working and commuting. When I used to live 12 miles outside of Manhattan and commute, it usually took an hour by train and ferry or train and subway, and about an hour and 20 by car at rush hours. But one summer Friday night my car service took 3.5 hours, and one New Year's Eve DH drove us home from Lincoln Center in under 30minutes ( a record! but still not great for people who travel 12 miles in most of the country!) In a similar vein, somewhat facetiously, I told DH we should look for a home in a bad school district. What do we need with schools? ( I know I know, it drives home values and is also a social obligation). Jojo - If you are reading, I think you first suggested Winter Park. If we end up wanting to be on a lake, what did you think of Windermere? I know you lived there at one time? It doesn't seem to have a downtown and a lot of the housing stock is a little OTT stylistically, but curious what your thoughts were. It came up when I was looking for lakefront.

If there is anywhere to use recessed lighting it would be your kitchen. Also add under cabinet LED's. Once those are done, you may find the addition of 3 pendants here a bit of overkill. As for the ceiling fan, is it needed in warm weather? Fan lights rarely serve as room illumination except for getting in when its totally dark. They are completely inadequate for anything else. Looks like you're sampling some paint colors by the stairs. Don't go for the paint until the lighting is completed so you get true colors. If you key paint to current lighting you'll be disappointed with it when the upgraded lights go in. I think a pair of chandeliers for each of your dining areas will be a big help. Some uplights under plants flanking the TV could be a nice touch. You may want to consider unloading the mantel of its clutter and having sconces installed on that wall. The windows seem awfully low, so a "fool-the-eye" window treatment that uses shades and panels to visually extend the window onto the wall above it will be a big improvement to your overall look. Here's a chart to help with TV/sofa placement. and a chart for picking a rug, which you should consider to anchor the sofa and seating group.

I also dislike people who begin almost every sentence with "So..." To do it occasionally is okay, but not every sentence. Equally annoying (as mentioned above) is when people interject "right?" frequently into a sentence. It makes them sound like they constantly need approval and are unsure of themselves. It is especially bad when newscasters do this, as it undermines their credibility. I do not like when people ask a question (which they do not allow anyone else to answer) and then answer it themselves, as if they are interviewing themselves and the person they are talking to cannot ask the question. These people have an excessive need (or desire) to control conversations and do not like to listen to others. Another annoyance is when people answer a question with "That's a great question," before they answer the question. Again, it is okay to do it once or maybe twice, but when it becomes habitual, it loses all meaning. It just sounds like they are stalling for time before they give an answer.