Thank you for all of your advice. I have changed the mast. Bath to outswing (THANKS!). We are building in GA, have one child, and have covenants that require the home to be 3500 Sq. Ft. We don't require a mudroom, but the Storage Room will be used for winter coats/Storage and a general oversized storage area. I am not a fan of natural lighting in the closet, for fading/loss of hanging space issues. I do prefer the toilet to be to the deep interior of the Mast. Bath so that there is some privacy when using the toilet while the significant other is sleeping (it's an issue!). I have fought for more windows, but he does not like a lot of natural light for some unGodly reason?? I do not like J and J's at all! This will be primarily used for guests. It's unlikely to be used at all. I'll be playing around with the kitchen island to have symmetry with the sink and also room for the DW to be placed NEXT to it, and not around the corner. My idea for the kitchen is to be a hard working one, with large and rarely used items placed in the pantry on a counter, with storage shelves on the opposite wall. Thank you all so much for your suggestions. It gives me an idea if we are going in the right direction. I have so much to learn! A

I would keep the tv where it is, but I would get a bigger one and put a shallow entertainment cabinet underneath for storage. It might not be the ideal place to put a tv, but in this case I think it’s preferable to placing it on the opposite wall where you would, as you said, feel closed in. As for the fireplace, you really, honestly, don’t have the space for one (and I love fireplaces!) If I thought you could make room for one I’d be thrilled for you, but I really don’t see how you can (at least in a way that looks/functions well, anyway.) Since I do understand the desire to have fireplace (although in my case, it’s really a NEED to burn wood!!), how about moving (Just kidding—sort of) or, perhaps building one in your back yard? Edited to add that last part

A dark slate would be very handsome...and very dark. You would need to update the lighting in that hallway (which might mean updating your entire electrical panel if it shown to be below today's code). The bench would be "lost" visually on a dark floor. The paint and the trim would need to be updated to "as bright as possible". Personally I think an extension of the wood floor would be an excellent idea. The scheme would not change. It would be a "like for like" change. But the use of this space (hallway) will dictate the material used. If this is a wet entrance with HIGH traffic that is always muddy/mucky the a tile or stone finish is always the best option. It is your choice. Be aware that dark floors will darken the area and make it feel smaller. That means you would have to compensate by either doubling or tripling the amount of lighting you have in that area (add more windows or add more light fixtures....which could lead to more costs).

Hi Jane, it is a long way from the fires in an inner suburb of Sydney. Nearly every day for the last month the weather forecast has said smoke haze and the drought continues. A very hot day earlier this week 45C. About 113F. Yuk. Water restrictions imposed..Not allowed to use the garden hose, so have to wash cars, water the garden with a watering can... 7mm of rain in December and lucky to get that, a sprinkle overnight, fingers crossed the weather looks like it might get back to normal soon. Thanks for the good wishes , the extent and damage of the fires is not overstated in the news. Added via edit, sorry about the metric, 7mm = .275 of an inch