I think the first layout is fine. You might want to consider moving the door for the storage room of the master bedroom so that it opens into the hall. That way the kids can use it for overflow storage. Also, that hallway is big enough that I think it could hold a large armour, providing more closet space. (There's no need to sleep in the same room as your clothes, so long as they're not too far off.) Also, don't forget that while the drawing shows kids in double beds, this need not be the case, so there will be more room for furniture (dressers or whatever) in their rooms. Finally, that step to bedroom 4 will not be odd at all. I've seen it in other homes. It looks clumsy in the drawing but it isn't. What you'll see when you come up the stairs is a bedroom door on a slight diagonal. It's only an odd jagged step if you walk like a robot, in straight lines along the wall, which is what your eye is doing on the drawing but you won't do in real life.

I have been using the Sherwin Williams paint color SW6222 Riverway. I used it in a dining room in Florida, kitchen hearth in Kansas and here in the store in a display. It is fairly saturated, but works well with lots of other accent colors.

You are so right white is never out of fashion. I would set your budget and then look at your options. If you plan to stay in the house for many years then spend to the top of your budget (if that is going to give you a life time of pleasure), if you plan on being at the home for only a short time / few years then I would go mid range so it looks lovely, will have good resale value but you can invest your well earned money to go towards something else as well. Obviously Marble / Granite is the top of the range but there are so many cheaper and very attractive options these days that look just as good.

Hi there, this is very touch. But you have discovered the base principle already, soft materials or materials with a lot of surface area absorb the sound. Just shooting out some quick ideas here for you: A soft and thick rag or bath Matt on the floor. Curtains are a good sound absorber, but not to much in a moist bathroom. Potential mold issue ;-) Another idea could be to hang bathrobes on hooks or a fabric laundry hamper onto the back of your door. If you find its still not enough.... since your walls are already tiled. you could do something on your ceiling... like a timber slat ceiling or a painted plywood paneling with holes in it. Make sure you use polycaprithane paint for moisture protection on the timber.... hope this helps. If there are questions or you need more help, feel free to send me a message. Cheers Gunnar