House Help

So we are planning on building in the spring and I've dreamed of building our final house for years-- I've drawn up plans and had even the kitchen cabinets planned down to the exact layout and dimensions for each cabinet-- {let's just say I had a lot of time on my hands when my kids were babies and I had never heard of a blog yet :)}

but now that it is time to actually really seriously get down to business about this I am so undecided and I don't know what I want--- ahhhhhh--- well I know what I want but I don't know all at the same time :) My ideas and likes have changed over the years and this is a home that I am going to be living YEARS in and I'm a little worried about the changes in life, for instance- right now my kids want to be close to me but I'm sure as teens they are going to want to be far from mom and dads room as possible--  and the other thing is is I do not, do not, do not, want a big big house. I don't like them I don't like vaulted ceilings and wasted space and don't like having a dining room that you eat in only once or twice a year- I don't need a gourmet kitchen cuz' hey I sure am not a gourmet cook I just want a moderate sized comfortable (warm and inviting) home :)

I know I like the craftsman bungalow outside style of a home-- with the big porches and the top stories built into the roof-- {my hubby still shakes his head over this but I love the look of older homes I just don't so much like the oldness of older homes :)}

I also know that I really really would like a white kitchen with wood accents and a bar island-- these pictures make me swoon looking at them--  I probably wouldn't have my kitchen as big as some of these but ya their yummy

I know I want a mudroom/command center area--of course -- I think I'd die without one

and I want lots of details and bookcases ect.

and for complete randomness I really really want a blue door like this :)

See I know some things :) but some of the things I have ?'s with is.............

~ would you ever have your kids sleep on a different level than you when they're young

~ If you have a family room on your main floor and one in your basement doesn't one of them pretty much become neglected and just more of a formal room kinda wasted space? or do you love having two of them

~ and a desk in the kitchen-- Love need Hate?

and my Uncles favorite quotation "Opinions are like butt cracks- everyone has one" So I'm inviting you to share them-- not so much your cracks though- you can spare me and you the embarresment- but your opinions-- I really want to know--

What would you be putting in your dream house?

{ps. I have no rights to any of these pictures and sadly I don't know where I got them from they've just been randomly collected over the years and put in my house inspiration file-- so if they're yours and you want credit just tell me and I'll add it}