We are in the process of building a new smaller house and getting out of the formal dining and living business as our formal dining gets used no more than twice a year and the formal living is never used. Misty ( our dog ) lounges in the living room. Our three children are all single and usually no more than 6 people here at any one time. When you start to get older things really change. When you are younger you think about building a big house and nothing wrong with that except for us we don't entertain that much any more and the extra room's etc. are just gathering dust plus the extra expense of htg. and cooling.

Going to an open kitchen w/eating bar, breakfast area and den area. Also no more stairs to climb as the old leg's are going fast.