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Location is everything. A ”1960’s ranch style house” most likely would be torn down in my neighborhood ( unfortunately ).
1. The average is 20% return on investment.
2. The only way to be sure you get exactly what you want is to be on the site daily--even then the more custom the more scrutiny is needed.
3. No way to know your expectations or what is usual where you come from.
I definitely would not reno remotely - it would be hard to choose a high quality contractor from afar
I went through the same thing with our sectional and ended up with a rectangular rug and a round coffee table. The round table was the best part, honestly, because nobody bangs a shin on a corner when they walk around it, and it softens all those straight lines. I did the same sheet test on our floor before ordering, and it is what kept me from buying one that was too small.
They look like the floors in my previous home. Mine changed color too,it didn’t bother me. Since my current home is at least 75% glass I had the west, south & east facing glass treated with a clear UV protectant, also have solar shades which I rarely close. Mine were tinted to protect art.
Thank you @porkchop_z5b_MI,.They are not overly yellow and they are tough nails.
Good advice @chispa,, and @K Laurence. These floors they have changed even in areas where the sun doesn’t hit them, and under the area rug as well.
Just beautiful natural wood nothing wrong with that, I like them.
I assume those are the listing photos? If so, the only thing I would do immediately, if they’re not already gone, would be to remove the word ”art” in the nook. For the rest, I would live with it , as is , for awhile, your wants/needs might change drastically. Mine did for my previous home. I was so glad that I waited.
My budget is under 20K. I am not a fan of the black and want to warm it up. Need to replace all the furniture.
Congratulations on your new home! You have a wonderful starting point, and I believe you can make a dramatic improvement while staying comfortably within your $20,000 budget.
Having spent 22 years as a professional kitchen designer, my first recommendation would be to keep your existing cabinetry, countertops, and flooring. They're attractive and appear to be in good condition. Replacing them would consume a significant portion of your budget without necessarily delivering the greatest improvement.
I would concentrate on creating a warmer, more inviting atmosphere with several relatively simple changes.
Here's how I would approach your budget:
- Replace the backsplash: Choose something simpler and warmer to soften the kitchen's appearance. Estimated cost: $2,000–$3,000.
- Update cabinet hardware: Consider brushed brass or champagne bronze to introduce warmth. Estimated cost: $400–$800.
- Repaint the island: A warm taupe or soft neutral could complement your existing countertops beautifully. Estimated cost: $800–$1,500.
- Update the lighting: Replace the island pendants and dining room fixture with something warmer and more contemporary. Estimated cost: $1,000–$2,000.
- Replace the dining furniture: A natural wood table and comfortable upholstered chairs would make a tremendous difference. Estimated cost: $2,500–$4,000.
- Replace the island stools: Choose seating that coordinates with the new dining furniture. Estimated cost: $800–$1,500.
- Add window treatments and accessories: Introduce warmth, texture, and personality. Estimated cost: $800–$1,500.
TOTAL ESTIMATED INVESTMENT: $8,300–$14,300
That leaves approximately $5,700–$11,700 of your $20,000 budget for additional furniture, unexpected expenses, or other improvements.
These are approximate planning figures, and actual costs will depend on your location, materials, and installation requirements.
One thing I would emphasize is the importance of selecting everything together rather than making individual purchases. Your existing countertops and flooring have considerable movement and color variation. I would bring home actual samples of the backsplash, hardware, and island paint and evaluate everything together in both natural and evening lighting.
Personally, I would start with the backsplash and dining furniture. I believe those two changes alone could make an enormous difference.
My philosophy has always been that a successful kitchen renovation isn't necessarily about how much money you spend. It's about making thoughtful decisions that improve how your home looks, feels, and functions.
You already have a beautiful foundation. I believe you could accomplish a remarkable transformation for considerably less than $20,000.
Wishing you many wonderful years in your new home!
Leather
Scheme 1 for me. The tan sofa picks up the desert colours in your photograph, while the cream chairs keep the middle of the room lighter. In scheme 2, the brown chair backs pull more attention into the foreground. If the cream chairs are already yours, I'd keep them and put the change into the sofa.
freedomplace1: love the racy chair! Good idea. Thanks
let's see the big picture.
A photo from further back would be helpful. From what I can see I like them even though my taste leans modern & minimalistic. It doesn’t read ” theme park” for me. The previous owner affixed some Talavera or Moroccan style ones, idk, everywhere, kitchen, entry , etc in my son’s home, It looks awful. From what little I can see, one row.
Are you considering “real” 🪵 vs ”faux”? I like the look of wood accents also, however, I’ve noticed that it can look pretty bad rather quickly even in our mild climate if not maintained on a regular basis.
Faux for sure!
Since it will only be seen from the side yard what difference does it make? Paint it any color you would like, it can always be repainted later if you tire of it or change your mind.
Thank you, all of garage and front two garage doors will be SW alabaster- a warm white. The single side door can be that too, but was wondering if a coastal color may be more interesting and break up all the warm white.
I like the roof you chose. Stick with the Alavaster
I have never considered a saucer magnolia (if you are talking about Magnolia × soulangeana) to be a shrub, but rather a tree. If that is the one you are referencing, I would not top it. Is there a spot you could move it to, to let it grow to its full height?
@ Jennifer Hogan …. funny story. I am somewhat of a minimalist, hate clutter ( but Jan reminded me to clear my bedside table, done ) , however, I break glassware often. I even ordered some ”lifetime guaranteed unbreakable” wine glasses from a wine catalog, guess what? broke them, I didn’t bother to take them up on the warranty since I knew I would end up breaking those too. I’m donating the Waterford & Lalique to a worthwhile charity.
Great explanation, Jennifer.
^ agree, Love that jennifer - instead of minimlism or not, it seems more like being purposeful about we own/bring in to the home. FWIW I like my space a bit on the sparser side but still have a wonky collection of McCoy pottery all over my mantle that makes me happy :)
If ”warm and cozy” is your goal I would start by painting the walls a warmer color. I could be wrong but they appear to be a bluish gray? Maybe slightly green? whatever, it looks cool toned. colors in photos can be misleading however.
Okay, got it. You can warm up gray using warmer colors, like your sofa, textured things, pillows, baskets, ), live plants, wood toned furniture. what is your budget?
Art available online everywhere at many different price points ….I’d start browsing & see what catches your eye.
The room is in desperate need of lighting.
I think this layout would work better; if you’re looking to purchase an art wall, you might want to check out AUSJOJO Art Wall.
Coordinating with tones in fireplace is different than matchy. An example of not having everything matchy they are talking about is not matching your end tables to your coffee table, or your dresser not matching every other piece you have in your bedroom
No rug. I like your floors. Two things stood out for me; the size of the clock & the size of your chandelier ( I realize it’s ”beachy” but does it look that large in person? ) Maybe that’s why you think the dining area looks ”lonely”? Idk
Can we see the family room (all angles) you're hiding, along with ALL of the kitchen? Thank you
Wait.......?
Stand at FIREPLACe and add please?
It's clear you're jumping around, without a plan? Adding threads for each area? Don't do that: )
Round …..not matching the other finishes.
Thanks for all your comments. I already own the coffee table and side table so will keep those.
I like your first rendition best. At my previous home, late 70’s beach So Cal, very similar in architecture, I painted all the trim the same color as the body of the house except for the eaves & facia ( Urbane Bronze on those ). Less ”choppy” IMO.
Sorry, no longer live there. I can’t remember the color, something like desert sagebrush neutral . I sampled several different colors. My roof was charcoal. Yes, I too wanted a simpler, less “chopped up”look? All of my neighbors had contrasting trim on their homes, similar vintage architecture, I didn’t care for it.
Whatever you do, keep it consistent for all windows. A couple of your renders have different trim colors on different windows and that is all I can see.
I disagree with Lyn's statement - We have placed tv's above fireplaces that are above eye level and haven't had any complaints. I have done that in two of my own homes and it hasn't been a problem. There is no neck strain.
I sort of think TVs are often mounted higher because they are 'watched' as people live their lives, clean, cook etc. They are back ground noise. It also depends on the size of your room. Never ever have a sat as close to a TV as Lyn's graphic suggests one does. The farther from the TV the higher it can be hung for comfortable watching. The size of the TV plays a factor also. The smaller the TV the closer and eye level when sitting one might need. Ours is hung as our art is. At eye level when standing. Sitting across the room neck issues have never been a problem. Never a complaint. I've been saying it for many years here..that graphic needs to go away. It may have been helpful when TV was first invented but for today given the way TVs have grown, rooms have grown it's often just not relevant.
We have boucle sofas from Room & Board, we chose boucle because we like rhe look of the texture, however, if ordering again I would probably select a ”smoother” fabric for comfort. BTW, had RH furniture & light fixtures at our previous home, think that Room & Board’s quality is far superior, just based upon our experience.. We do have lots of RH bed linens, like those.
Choose another brand of furniture. RH is way overpriced (they have to pay for that huge catalog which is sent out to hundreds of thousands, unsolicited, I may add). The quality is meh. Large sectionals belong in a very, very large space.
How big is the sectional and how large is the room?
#1, definitely ( for me ).
The ”odd” numbered (3) shown looks the worst IMO. I think when designing it’s the positioning that’s important … rather than just the nimber of objects. I prefer asymmetrical designs though
Number 1 - as long as one palm is taller than the other.
#1, hands down. As long as, like shirl said, one palm is larger. That arrangement looks professional and polished.
Privacy from what, precisely? The structure and road/vehicle in the background are far enough away they would need a telescope to see into your property!
Zones are meaningless without a specific location. What grows well in Z8 Georgia is very different from Z8 Texas or Oregon. Where are you located?
IF you add beams, I probably wouldn’t, but that’s irrelevant to your question, most likely 4” x4” or 6” x 8”. Just two? what is the material? Wood or ? Color? A photo would help.
If it was my house, I wouldn't add beams with 9 ft ceilings.
Decorative beams, leave them out. Structural, more info is needed.
Darker bed covering to relate to the shams, then repeat the white of the bed frame/headboard elsewhere for unity?
The art pieces over the bed seem small for that location, so I moved them (one over the chest of drawers), then actually liked the space above the bed better left bare.
A tree does not make a house look ”busy”, it it’s all the other things. I agree, we need a picture of the house without the decorations to assess properly.
If you mean the added tree (^^), you're right. @mad_gallica. AI showed it as a "teenager" and I didn't "grow" it beyond that. Unless owners spend $$$, it will take a while for a newly-planted tree to reach even this "teenager" status. Trees require patience, but IMO they're worth the wait.
No, the existing tree is too small:-) It is also still just a teenager.
^^^ I'll like that a hundred times.
You are on the internet. You will get opinion , asked, or unasked. You don't ever know what is acceptable to another homeowner and whether it applies to you, your home.
Needing a back up battery for something as simple as running water in a power failure?! , and paying 1500.00 to have that inconvenience for the love of looks?
My advice to you is same as any client, live, up close and personal. : ) It's a faucet for looks. One of many many many others, just as stylish.
Methinks @tumchewx is kinda .... ummmm....a jerk? I can be the queen of smartass answers but I might have to relinquish my crown.....
Geeze, even if I knew everything about this faucet, I wouldn't answer now. I teach teenagers, and I don't need more attitude in my life.
This is the kind of board that's going to give you a good, complete answer. Very often questioners don't know what they don't know, and none of us know what kind of research you've done.
The right answer is, Thank you.
I would contact a good independent flooring company & ask for their suggestions. The ideal solution would be if the hardwood floors could be restored.
2" xps installed under the joist with taped seams (zip tape and rolled) or encapsulate everything with spray foam. All exposed wood structure needs to be wrapped and sealed to protect from condensation. Wood will act as a wick and wick up moisture. Air will also carry and transfer moisture.
If you have real hardwood flooring currently in your home will suggest that you refinish. True hardwood flooring will almost always beat laminate.
With no information and In the spirit of the approaching holiday season ... I'll go with this!
LOL
Stainless. It's a range.......: ) not art in the living room.
It’s personal preference for sure but Zen to me usually suggests lower contrast finishes and a more minimal feel - are you set on the black fixtures and the gold sink?
Diana Bier Interiors gave you some good advice. I would follow it.
Paint can change things quite a bit, example the dark wall rack, the dark R painted a fun light colour, mirror frame, picture frames etc, If it were me I would find that easier and more pleasing than changing the colour of the antique beams.
Leave the beams.
Those stairs terrify me.
My thoughts were in line with what Beverly FLA suggested, but she articulates it better, that’s why she’s a ”Pro” & I’m not . i thought something more interesting & square. But you & your husband have to love whatever you choose. Good luck.
Cut different sizes of Kraft paper and tape to wall and height is important as well. Ignore the content, only providing to help with visualizing a balanced vignette.
If you do not want beige, avoid all the suggestions for beige and go with what you wanted which was something colorful/ blue and mountain_/ocean related. Something sentimental. A
As Norwood Architects said, just choose whatever you want that is a reminder of your trips/memories. If you are set on the two you found in your OP, the first one is nice and framed can look good. Adding blue accents might be all you really need to tie in the space.
There's 1000s upon 1000s of different paintings that can fit your criteria, so finding one that is sentimental to you, I think is key.
Nothing wrong with the cabinets. I think more interesting ”styling “ or accessorizing is needed. I like simple, but think adding color, texture, maybe plants, etc would help. It’s really a blank canvass.
Yes definetely cabinets would look better with new brushed brass harware and glass doors.
You can get quotes for refacing the cabinets. If you don’t like wood, you won’t feel better about this kitchen with “new knobs”. Do some research and figure out if you can save for a kitchen you love.
It can be done in stages, but price everything you want and then make a plan.
Nice bay window you have there. You can put a custom bench or just buy a simple bench and put it a little away from the middle window and call it a day.
However, still need to see the other side of the bedroom to get an idea of space and measurements if you can , please.
What are the measurements of the bay window area? Once that is known, it will be easier to find seats
When someone says " It is not at all our style" and then follows with " budget friendly ideas please..." ? Budget friendly means different things for different people. She posted the former condo which she loved. The "beachywas a wicker chair, seashell decor, etc AND a white kitchen
We can't answer the budget question, but changing ( drastically ) a home that is lovely/suburban/not beachy is just a question of how far you want to go , to be thrilled.
It's the internet, and she got my answer, no differently than if I were standing in that space.
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#3 makes the most sense. I think the ceiling rule is silly. There are all sorts of "rules" that make little sense in some circumstances. #2 with two different curtain heights looks off to me.
Having a birdcage or not having a birdcage is not going to sell the house. It looks like a beautiful home, so if it's priced right it will sell.