My two cents on the Jefferson Square

A new model, Jefferson Square, just opened up in a Ryan community not far from us.  I was very excited to go see in person what the new "improvements" to the layout were.  All I can say is Thank God we picked the Jefferson.  When we signed our contract last December, our SR told us about the Jefferson Square and said if we were interested we could get it.  I reviewed the floor plan at that time and was not interested and now after seeing it in person, further confirmed I made the right decision.  Issues I noticed: the lack of windows in the family room, the smaller kitchen, smaller formal dining room, smaller formal living room, no vaulted ceiling in the morning room or the master, smaller bedrooms, no double door closet in any of the other bedrooms, hall bathroom on a weird angle, smaller basement.  While the downfalls are numerous, there were a few good things: more windows in the master bedroom, shower in master bath has two shower heads, larger office space.  There are two walk-in closets in the master, which would normally be a good thing but these walk-ins are on a weird angle making any sort of custom shelving design near impossible and downright awkward, and if you like the laundry on the 2nd floor then this would be a plus.  I thought I would prefer 2nd floor laundry until one, I heard how the spin cycle shakes and rattles the entire house, and two my muddy, filthy boys come home from football practice and need to strip down and put those clothes immediately into the washing machine (and they wash up in the laundry sink).  Could you imagine them walking all the way upstairs with those clothes, dripping mud and who knows what all over the place??? Or even worse, they use the kitchen sink to wash up in.....OMG I cringe just thinking about it....

Overall I was shocked at the differences.  It will be interesting to see how long it will be before Ryan will make changes.  I can't imagine it will be as popular as the original Jefferson.

Wireless keypad for garage door

Has anyone added a wireless keypad to their garage door opener??  After a quick google search it appears to be fairly simple to install and cost about $30.  I wish the one that you get from Ryan had this feature but it doesn't.  I now fully understand why some people elect to get there own garage door opener after closing.

Newest additions to the morning room

The morning room is nearly finished.  Thanks for all of the suggestions about window treatments, I'm think I have made up my mind but haven't found what I'm looking for just yet mainly because I have not had much time for shopping.  Here are the latest updates, rug and 4-tier shelf in corner.  The rug really makes a big difference.