Hello Kal, Sometimes I use Punch to set up building masses, but most designing I do by hand. Paper and pencil are my best friends. (Trace paper, too, and a million erasers). Disregarding what you have read in the past, do you think straight lines are formal? I personally don't. Not intrinsically, at the very least. They can be used to create very formal designs, yes, but they don't necessarily equate into a formal design. In your space, for example, the patio won't be the only thing in the space, and thus can be tempered by other elements to create the look or aesthetic that you want. The types of plants you choose, and/or their arrangement and/or placement can alter the look of the patio by visually breaking up the edges or by accentuating them. Even within the patio, the colour combinations, textures, patterns, scale of the pavers, all of these have an effect on the overall feeling. I personally would say that a rectilinear patio would suit the space better, given its size. With a curvy patio, you might have to compromise on patio area to accommodate curves. The leftover space between the patio and fence may be too narrow at spots to plant with anything significant. There's a lot to consider when you're designing a space, which is good when you're still in the planning stage and it's easier to change things around. I don't want to plan the space for you, since you are the one who really knows what you want to achieve. But I will try, and hopefully with the help of others on the forum, to push you to explore other opportunities or ideas that you usually wouldn't have. - Audric

Denise, let me share something I've known for 20 years... That HD stuff? It stands for 'hunnerdollars'. Doesn't matter what the part, 9 times out of 10, $100 was paid for it. Considering there are two full 'baggers' in the garage, and pieces parts of three other 'less than 4 wheeled vehicles' in the drive way... I don't have to hide plants. I always remind that His hobby is considerably more expensive than mine, and all those Harley parts equal a lotta orchids. (Mentha, who knew you were so sneaky!? I was wondering when introduced as the 'lady I bought that epi for as a birthday present' but I remeber I sent you all the cuttings... I figured that was what that was about!!!) I don't hide plants, but I have had to take a bit of flack lately. "Is that anOther orchid??" "Yes, dear don't you think it will photograph well up against the color of the side cover on the motorcycle? Perhaps sitting the on the trike? Then everyone could see we share hobbies!" Which is Not True. If it has tires, he is happy. Leaves and flowers, my deal all the way. We schedule our events accordingly. He goes to Lake Elsinore to the Trike In, and I attend the Epi Show & Sale. Oh, yeah, I'm addicted to more than just hoyas!

We have already adopted a lot of this into our design. Big Don Aslett fans here, too. And yes, having a room that can be converted to an older kid bedroom is useful even when they share. In our case it’s going to be the LEGO room off the play area - it’s for big kid projects and things the littles shouldn’t be into, and I’ll convert it for the college student or two of the bunch down the road. Otherwise it’s three bunks per bedroom and a bathroom for each. Girls room, boys room, extra flex room, and if absolutely necessary, the guest bedroom/craft room/handicapped accessible extra master for our special little guy :) We were thinking over space and privacy in the shared rooms and came to the decision that full beds over a desk and drawer area were the best choice, possibly with curtains rails around the top if they want to pull them for some privacy. Then there is a schoolwork area, personal drawer space, and a mini ‘room’ for the child while still living together. That’s how we made it work in the dorms and I think it was a good setup. It also means we don’t need absolute enormous closets since those are only for hanging dresses and out of season gear. If it comes time to sell it makes the room a lot more functional as a normal master suite and not some sort of freakish planned communal room. YES to a bike loop in the yard, even if the yard is small. Perimeter tracks are SO useful. YES to a drinking fountain in the mud room (outside isn’t useful if your area freezes like ours does). YES to laundry by the bedrooms - we are doing one laundry area in the hall to the master suite, on the main floor, and another laundry area in the upstairs between the kid rooms. They’re many feet apart so two makes sense, and we can barely keep up on laundry with a single machine anyway. Many more amens and agreements to the other list items. When the design is well planned and lives well for the family the square footage becomes less of an issue. I can exist in half the house if I have twice the storage ;) And as another Speed Queen devotee, I cant recommend them highly enough!

Raven I think we have similar trikes. The one I had was the Meridian which is a magnificent sturdy trike. I really loved it but it seemed too difficult to take along when I moved after the flood, it was large and heavy and difficult to get through the front door. So I gave it to a neighbor who had been wanting to get one after a knee surgery prevented her from doing a lot of walking as exercise. The one I have now is the Worksman port-o-trike which is smaller and it actually folds for storage (but not small enough to fit in a bike bag like the Dahon). Most of the time during the hottest months of summer I ride in the mornings before 10AM. I tried twice to sign up for Uber but there seemed to be some glitch, and Uber did not respond to an email asking for help. So I signed up for Lyft and that was easy to do. I do feel pretty safe, I've heard about incidents but I think that only a tiny fraction of rides end up badly, I think most drivers just want to make a few dollars. The fare was only around $7 and I tipped $5. I know the second driver actually had to get on the freeway to pick me up (on the app you can see where they are, it is amazing) so I think they work hard for their money.