Title of this thread caught my eye, and I too misunderstood what it meant. It's an individual thing and one that has to fit your home, lifestyle, wants and needs so if it's important to you go for it. But I have to ask, if you think it will become one of your favorite spaces, why not reconfigure so the tub fits in your master bath? You mentioned you have shower/tub combos upstairs so wouldn't that be more than adequate for guests? I can only speak for myself and my family, but as guests in other people's homes, even close relatives, we're more comfortable using bathrooms closest to the bedroom we're staying in. It's more about getting in and out rather than lingering like I'm at an inn on vacation. Looking at your plan, I'd think most guests would probably use the baths upstairs too because they'd be more private than choosing the bathroom surrounded by your social areas and off the deck. I love my tub time, but I wouldn't feel comfortable hogging that first floor bathroom. I think a powder room or small bath downstairs and a larger MB makes more sense. Do nephews really like to take luxurious soaks or need a big tub? If they want to frolic in water wouldn't using the hot tub on the deck be more fun, scenic and make more sense? Also agree and know from experience that those club foot and large tubs get cold so fast. I love long soaks with a book so a seperate shower and a large tub in the MB was important when we bought our house, but I often go to the bathroom with a smaller tub so it stays warm longer. When I remodel the MB tub will be deep narrow and heated. Just some thoughts.

We have a flip-top game table in our living room that we use regularly to play backgammon, chess, checkers and cards on. It's more of a dedicated game table than the one you're looking at as the entire piece is inlaid with different exotic woods. I do know that it was handmade in Syria but have no idea how old it is. It came with hand-carved game pieces for the various games. We have it set up in the corner of our living room. Here are some pics of it. Lynn Close-up of the table top the way it stays until we use it. But, I can see in this pic that the table is rotated 90-degrees. I don't keep the sides with the hinges in front of the chairs. This top rotates and then flips or you have the option of taking it off, sliding the top into a slot in the table for storage and using the backgammon underneath: Here is the game table corner of our living room: And a couple close-ups of various ways it opens for games. Set for backgammon: Open for cards:

The OP risks his funds paid for the lot (and the lot too) if he deeds the lot to the builder and the builder is unable to finish The OP says, "One builder, who does a lot of spec houses, it looks like, said that his company would buy the lot, not us, and we would have the usual construction contract for a house that his company would build." Even if that were not the case it wouldn't necessarily be a problem. While not a common arrangement it isn't uncommon either, you just use an addendum to modify the quitclaim during breach or at the termination of the contract. Commonly the builder will accept a contingent quitclaim such that the deed only transfers if the buyer refuses to make final payment. It really isn't that unusual and I can't see any situation that an attorney would let you get into the situation you are suggesting. -------------- ETA: I did an addendum for a quitclaim on some property. I have a farm in an area that requires 10 acres to build (they are attempting to keep the area horse farms). We wanted to give the foreman an acre to build a house close to the farm. So we sold him one acre and quitclaim nine more, attaching an addendum that the quitclaim would reverse in two years unless he paid us a fortune.

@Patricia Collwell Consulting Patricia-question for you...I have 4K in the living areas of my house (bedrooms are 3K or 2.7K). Walls are BM Oxford white, cabinets and ceilings are BM Chantilly lace. My kitchen is open to the living /dining space, and has a flat 8’ ceiling, can size 4”. I love the 4K in the kitchen-rarely use the dimmer. The dining/living space is vaulted, uses 6” cans, same 4K looks too bright-always on dim, if they are on. Is it the can size? Wall color-oxford tends to look more gray? Vault? I was going to order 3k fixtures, with a gimbal, but not sure if it will clash with the kitchen. I wanted 3.5K but the manufacturer doesn’t make that in the same fixture. I don’t know think I can mix-match can/light...can I? Or maybe just change paint color. At the time we were building it was too much to make paint color decisions and I think I’m ready to move on from all white walls in the living areas! Thanks for any insight!