TOP 20 - #10 - COUNTER SPACE/GOURMET ISLAND

I LOVE THE AMOUNT OF COUNTER SPACE IN THE ROME'S KITCHEN WITH THE INCLUSION OF THE GOURMET ISLAND! 

 THIS HAS BEEN PARTICULARLY AWESOME WHEN THE SPACE IS NEEDED TO ENTERTAIN AND ADDITIONAL SEATING! THE FOOD FOR ENTERTAINING IS EASILY SPREAD THROUGHOUT THE COUNTER. 
 I CAN ALSO PRESENT THE FOOD IS A LOVELY FASHION WITHOUT IT BEING CRAMPED UP!

THE SPACE ON THE GOURMET ISLAND IS SO HUGE THAT IT'S IMPOSSIBLE TO WIPE THE ISLAND WITH SEVERAL STROKES.  

WE MUST TRAVEL AROUND THE ENTIRE ISLAND TO BE SURE THE ENTIRE ISLAND IS WIPED CLEAN!
I AM NOW USING A GRANITE CLEANER AND SEALER WHICH LEAVES THE GRANITE FEELING SOFT AND LOVED!  

BEYOND THE GOURMET ISLAND IS THE COUNTER SPACE ALONG THE SINK AND COOKTOP.  WE HAVE PLENTY OF SPACE FOR A SMALL TELEVISION ON THE COUNTERTOP WHICH DOES NOT DISTURB PREPARATION FOR COOKING AND WE CAN WATCH SHOWS WHILE WASHING DISHES OR COOKING!

I ALSO LOVE THE EXTRA COUNTER SPACE FOR THE KEURIG WHICH HAS IT'S OWN HOME NEXT TO OUR DOUBLE OVEN CABINETS. OUR OWN PERSONAL COFFEE NOOK!

WAIT....THERE'S MORE...WE HAVE ADDITIONAL COUNTER TOP SPACE ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE FRIDGE FOR OUR LANDLINE PHONE WHICH I REFUSE TO BE WITHOUT. HAVING A LANDLINE STILL IN OUR HOME GIVES ME THE ASSURANCE THAT WE WILL STILL HAVE PHONE SERVICE FOR TIMES LIKE SANDY'S EVENT.  IF YOU DON'T HAVE A VEHICLE THAT CHARGES YOUR PHONE, YOU ARE SHORT! OKAY, THAT WAS A QUICK SIDEBAR!!  

****excuse the CAPS--i was shouting out loud how much I love the counter space we have from all angles in the kitchen...can't you tell how excited I am--not to mention it would nice to have more***  :)  

TOP 20 - #12 - Driveway & #11 - Parking

First and foremost, it would have been nice to have a side load garage; however, they were already taken.  So we searched for a lot that would give us a long driveway within a cul-de-sac.  The driveway is 66 feet long which allows for two large trucks and four smaller cars OR nearly eight cars depending on the size of course.  This is a good deal especially when guests come over to visit which is not often; however, the family who are staying with us never have a problem with parking.  We also have a complete empty side of the cul-de-sac which allows for plenty of parking as well and we are never interrupted from visitors in the neighborhood.  We chose the perfect LOT on the South Side of the Chapel.  The area is not congested and we can move freely in and out of our section of the community.  Totally, happy about this selection.  

REVERSE FLOOR PLAN

If you have yet to discover this, here is a tip for bloggers who have the reverse floor plan.  We happen to be one of those bloggers with the reverse floor plan and it felt so awkward just to place us in our home before it was built.  We only saw homes with the traditional layout which drove me bonkers.  Anyway, if you want to print out a reverse floor plan, go to the Ryan Homes website and pull up your floor plan.  Click the button at the top and it will reverse the plan for you.  This made such a huge difference for me because I am a visual person and it allowed me connect with our home before it was built.  The other huge benefit was laying out my furniture placements and future structural projects on paper to give to the contractors.  

TOP 20 - #13 - Laundry Room

During our build my choice was to have the laundry room installed in the traditional location of the basement.  I thought it was cute to have the laundry room placed upstairs for convenience for those who desired it; however, for me and my house I LOVE the laundry room in the basement because it afforded me the space to wash, hang and dry and iron our clothes.  Bottom line:  I need space and the cute laundry room quarters was way to small for me.  This model does not accommodate a large extended laundry room.  Some models offer the laundry room on the main level next to the mud room which is pretty cool; however, if I had a preference I would have a large mudroom on the main level and still keep the laundry room in the basement because the washing of clothes is so personal and having it at the front door did not work for me.  We have future plans to design my laundry room as a finished area.  YAY!! 

 Can't wait!!!!  I am so tickled about the design that was created for my laundry room. because it will include the cabinetry, folding table, ironing board, handing rods etc to wash my clothes in a central location because I am all over the place without it.    Lastly, placing the laundry room in the basement freed up the proposed laundry room upstairs for different usage....ding ding ding!!  That's right, more space the better.  I know some folks swear by it upstairs which is convenient, but I knew it would not work for me because I need a laundry work space with space.  

This is a cute simple, luxury layout!
I want to walk into my laundry room excited to do my laundry and without the space and the necessities in place its a dragggggg! The space suit and pipes and hvac system messes up a great space....so I can't wait to it's finished. 

I later learned that for those who choose to keep the laundry upstairs for convenience need to include extra joists to stabilize the floor because when you are washing clothes it causes the entire floor to shake and you can hear it through your entire house.  Also, if you have little people you may have to monitor when you wash the clothes due to the noise.  I have also heard that the machines are much quieter...so do your research on the machines and if you can be sure to ask for extra joists to stabilize your machines so that you can enjoy your choice of an second level laundry room.