These are some images we've been looking at. Nothing too definite, just general style and ideas. We like a lot of styles but don't want it to look messy, disparate, all over the place.

So here goes ...

LIVING/GREAT ROOM

This is the original house, the one whose plans we started from. We like the wood detailing in the cathedral ceiling and on the balcony, as well as the wrought-iron detail, but other than that feel like there is too much wood; the overall look is too dark to suit us.

This house, though Spanish-style, has a better wood-white balance, in my opinion.

Here is an example of wood-stain window frames that we actually like.

But the following pictures are probably closer to what we will want in the end; white window frames with dark (or cherry-stained) and reclaimed wood detailing that provides a nice "ranchy" feeling. We love the first one especially...

And this is my work-up of the great room built-ins. It is rough, but gives the general idea. We want to avoid breaking up the diagonal too much (hence the vertical fireplace detail) but would also like to try to hide the television in a cabinet. The texture on the fireplace vertical is meant to be stone, but we could also go for brick. The actual built-ins would be dark or cherry stained wood, but would leave the wall exposed in places, thereby minimizing the horizontal cut across the top. What do you think?

Here are some other ways to handle our two concerns.

KITCHEN

We are much clearer on what we want in the kitchen. Mostly white (or very pale) cabinets and counters with a darker island and see-through bar (to provide transition into the great room). We would like the cabinets to go all the way up, as in the following pictures. This actually comes very close. I even like the hardware!

These two kitchens are similar, but a little less modern. I will probably end up picking something between the previous style and the following ones.

I also like the blue island. Have seen some beautiful red ones too, but that is a decision I am not ready to make. Either way, the island will match the see-through bar.

And this image is to show some window wood-detailing on the kitchen.

MISCELLANEOUS

Gorgeous wood-stain window-frames that we love. Wish I could decide!

And more wood detailing (with white window frames)

As to the cement floors, we are leaning towards this color/style.

We are also considering a carpet runner for the stairs.

And here is a window-seat detail (for the girls' rooms upstairs). Could we do this?