Are you going to have steps down to the basement, maeve??? If so, you might even want to consider doing what the used to be done in homes in the early 1800s and that is put yer kitchen in the basement... The old hotel I own was built around a federalist style brick house (circa 1815) and in the basement is where all the cooking was done... There's a massive fireplace down there and the heat from it went up thru vents to heat the house... Just an idea... Yes, I know that you have to run triple walled pipe thru floors and roofs but if yer gonna have to devote part of yer floor plan to a wood/coal stove anyway then instead of a large stove in the middle of yer living space it will be under you doing the same thing???

Just food fir thought...

Are ya'll fully enclosed yet???

BTW, there's a ton of "R Factor" in cheap 6 mil plastic for yer interior walls while waiting on wiring & insulation prior of wall board/paneling... Just the idea of an air pocket between you and the outside will make the house alot warmer...

B~