A simple roller solar shade (opacity based on function for privacy vs sun control) would be my vote. Your wall panels add a lot of visual pattern and you don’t want to add more pattern with the louvers. Drapery on the patio doors is good either way.

And the color of the shade (I think) should relate to your wall color so they don’t declare themselves as an ‘item’ in your interior.

Do you need window coverings? I live in a 1970's contemporary on a wooded lot. I only have window coverings on bedroom windows. My other windows/doors are big and have great views of the outside so I leave them uncovered.

@Rory (Zone 6b) There are some close neighbors and the street out front gets light traffic. The master bedroom windows are on the front, so I'm concerned aobut privacy. After reading over the comments, I'm leaning towards roller shades.

We have been happy with our GE speed/micro, etc and it did replace a microwave.

A speed oven is simply an oven that combines a microwave and convection oven. You can buy a speed oven and install it above a conventional oven (if supported) or buy a double oven (aka combo oven) that includes both in one unit. Note that if you do the former that you will need two electrical circuits, one for each oven.

• Bosch 800 Series HBL8753UC (highest-rated combo oven by CR)
• LG WCEP6427F Combination Wall Oven
• Cafe CTC912P2NS1 Combination Wall Oven

Note that GE Appliances often sells the same appliance under more than one brand. For example, the GE Profile PSB9240SVSS ($2900) and Monogram ZSB9232VSS ($4400) are virtually the same appliance except for appearance.

Thanks for this confirmation on the speed oven’s capability. Appreciate the advice on appliances!

Good call on simplifying the design! When pairing a large wall tile with a mosaic floor, just be super mindful of the undertones under your actual bathroom lighting. Place the mosaic flat on the floor and hold the wall tile vertically right against it under your LED light temperature (3000K works best for a warm spa vibe). If one white looks cool/grey and the other warm/creamy, they will fight each other once installed.

You can ask to apply the money towards different slabs from the same place. If they don’t have slabs that meet your requirements you may have to play hard ball/ask for a refund.

^good advice, also if you paid with a credit card they can sometimes help as well

Yes I received an email back stating their supplier labeled it as cristalina blue quartzite so what I was sold was accurately represented and sold to me correctly. Very infuriating because true quartzite should not etch and this did!

From my perspective you will never get as good a finish on site as from the factory. I would pick your cabinets and a finish they offer, most have many, many stain colors available. Factory finish is always preferred.

Bad idea. Factory finish will be superior! And most companies won't even decrease the price for unfinished....and if they do...it's not much. So in the end it'll cost you more $.

Would you rather have Honda paint your car with their state of the art equipment in a dust free environment? Or order an unfinsihed car and have someone paint it in their garage?

I alread have 4 parson's chairs that are in a fabric that does not go at all with my rug. I stopped at the upholster's shop and it's $195 for just the labor for one chair plus the cost of fabric. Totally not worth it for cheap Parson chairs.

I was looking at the Ballard slipcovers but it says they are for their Parson chairs. I may order one to see it it works on the ones that I already have. I would prefer something with less pattern than the paisley but the price is right and I don't think they will last long.

After reading the reviews on the Ballard slipcovers I decided to purchase 4 for the chairs that I already have. I can use two of the rush seat chairs at either end.

This chair has almost the same measurments as the Ballard chair so hopefully it's not too long.

No such thing as waterproof hardwood. A pre finished hardwood floor will have a finished top coat that is better with UV fading and scratching but water will still damage it.

We have experience with LifeProof Engineered Hardwood throughout (including bathrooms). It's been over a year and holding up very well.

When I went to our local Home Depot store, they had an extensive display of LifeProof LVP products. I had to look across the aisle into the engineered wood section the see the LifeProof engineered hardwood display.

I have site finished solid hardwood floors throughout my main level + European Oak engineered wood floors on upper level - except for three bathrooms on upper level (where there are showers/tubs) + laundry and mudroom on main level. I do have them in my powder room + kitchen. They've been installed for a LONG time - and only had one issue (refrigerator water line not installed correctly - small area of floor was wet for awhile - floors went back to normal after drying out).

Have you considered installing solid or engineered wood floors throughout your home except for in the bathroom/laundry room areas?

The rest is yellow vinyl siding.

a few exterior changes that will not make me hate the siding siding as much. We are replacing that

You are replacing the siding? With what?

add a portico

Does your picture show the new portico? Do you have a drawing that shows what it will look like?

I was thinking black but the AI rendering below makes the black seem off a bit next to the sofa color. So brown, but with a great rug, large art, maybe pillows.

Brown is my vote as the black is way too heavy and bad bachelor pad looking along with the charcoal sofa - and like ‘User’ noted a rug that ties brown and charcoal would be best.

A honed or leathered Virginia mist granite would be a good bet.

Costa Esmerelda is a beautiful green granite and could work if the slab is a color that works with your floor.

Looks really nice! Love all your selections!

@gardener123 Oh My Thank you... So sweet to be remembered.

For an updated look, I’d focus on improving the kitchen without completely changing the layout. New cabinet fronts or custom cabinets, a lighter countertop, a modern backsplash, updated lighting, and better hardware can make a big difference. If the refrigerator is staying in the same location, you could also build a more integrated refrigerator surround and add storage around it.

For a kitchen this size, I’d prioritize the work in this order: layout and storage first, cabinets and countertops second, then lighting, backsplash, and finishes. That way the renovation improves both functionality and appearance rather than just making the kitchen look newer.

You might keep the walls the current color and paint the ceiling a darker grey the coordinates with the countertop.

What are the colors in the adjoins bedroom?

Or maybe you have a tall dresser that could work - you want something to serve as a spot to lean a larger scaled framed piece of art and then layer with a lamp, etc. I’m suggesting closed storage so your eye doesn’t see so many things competing with the walls. This isn’t quite right but just a quick mock up:

Pottery Barn's Pacific line is on sale and the 'fog' finish might be nice with your rug, etc. You could do the long writing desk and then maybe 2 of the file cabinets to act as a credenza/art leaning spot. I'm just having a hard time with the white desk and bookshelves (both of those finishes seem like an outlier with your walls and all of the open shelving creates visual competition with your beautiful walls). Also struggling with the fact that I wouldn't want to put art up on the wallpapered part of the wall. The art leaning method works well for your situation - but then, it needs a spot to lean lol...the domino effect of design decisions. Good luck! https://www.potterybarn.com/products/pacific-desk-with-drawers/

Why not visit a local art gallery and buy something inexpensive from a local artist like a simple woodblock print or etching? Maybe a black and white print. Original art isn't always expensive and can even be found in thift and antique shops. Love the wainscoting

Maureen I wish I could mock up like you! But I do think that the open shelves and gallery wall does compete. I still think closed storage, one larger statement art piece and a good sized lamp will look and feel elegant.

Your laundry room does not look like your kitchen; and I do not think anyone would mistake the two. Also, I think that installing Carrara marble in the adjacent laundry room, too, may take away some of the panache of the kitchen. There is such a thing as overdoing a thing - to the point of the novelty wearing off.

Great project!

Not a pro, but I'd focus on function first before getting caught up in materials selection and colors. FWIW here are some things I would want-

-More recessed lighting (and to get rid of what I think is a square fluorescent fixture but I could be wrong), plus undercabinet lighting

-more recessed fridge so it doesn't intrude so much on kitchen - maybe counter depth can accomplish this or perhaps you can steal space from behind wall and recess it more - I think this would make a huge difference in how the kitchen feels

-cabinets to the ceiling for a clean look

-pull out trash to the right of the sink

-single bowl sink + large nice faucet

-working hood that vents outside + new location for microwave (perhaps in pantry?)

-get counter bar down to one level

-get wood flooring in family room & kitchen to prevent a hard flooring transition

You might try sliding the desk and fridge down into the corner and then having the luggage rack by the door. It won’t look crowded by the door that way.

It looks wonderful. It's clean, inviting and simple. Anyone would be comfortable in there. Nicely done! We see so many projects on here that get started or talked about endlessly but never end in completion. You were very gracious in taking advice and suggestions and I think you have a warm, inviting space at the end of it all.

You have white trim, so the gutters should remain white. In your bronze pic, the white trim around the gable is so much more prominent than the barely visible white trim on the horizontal roof. Just paint the downspout to match the brick. It doesn't matter if you get an exact match, somethin pretty close will hide it. If you don't want to paint, change the downspout to bronze and leave the gutters white.

Agree with others have said - and I hope you keep your glass block! What great light. The spaces seem to be in great shape while you plan and budget.

I have to say that I, too, am not opposed to popcorn ceilings. At the very least, I do not consider them to be public enemy #1.

Plus, there is basically zero way that I would scrape a popcorn ceiling. Either it would be covered with drywall or it stays, as is.

Professionally cleaning the floor and grout is a great idea.

I think placing a large white/fitted mat in the shower, could connect to the tile floor, and also visually expand the space.

ETA: Or maybe it is the same white tile on the shower floor(?). I can’t really tell from your picture.

You might consider adding some moulding if you really wanted to make it a feature all the way around, and wanted something affordable. Something simple to not compete with the rest of what you have going on.

Thank you for chiming in , thinkdesignlive. I like this idea for the closet space. The plumber came last week so waiting on his quote . My contractor seems insistent on leaving plumbing toward front of house.

Thanks for another great idea! Would help make that wall/window look more balanced.
Maybe it isn’t worth moving the door. It’s tucked in the corner though so makes it difficult to get furniture in (not that we do it that often) and the door bangs into the closet. Just a weird placement .

I like the last image you posted Patricia! And getting away from black metal would be nice - I love polished nickel or aged brass. Start with your vanity selection, then sconces and mirror . It looks like you might be tight for 2 sconces unless they are slim tube style with a slim mirror….what is the spacing from the wall on the right to the center of the faucet?

There are vanities out there that are 30” wide x 20” deep. Just have to dig…then you could do a 20-24” wide mirror and slim sconces:

https://www.wayfair.com/home-improvement/pdp/highbury-furnishings-kendal-reeded-bathroom-vanity-with-cultured-marble-countertop-gcne1351.html
Just have to find the right style/finish with your floors

This vanity is pretty for a smaller space and the legs keep it from feeling too heavy. It's 17.8" deep and 24" wide. It might be a good fit in your space.

https://www.wayfair.com/home-improvement/pdp/jonathan-y-corbin-24-in-w-x-18-in-d-x-33-in-h-modern-classic-1-drawer-bath-vanity-base-only-sink-basin-not-included-iohn5349.html?piid=120328028

I love pedestal sinks in small bathrooms for the room they give, but buy a quality sink like Kohler or American Standard (look for American made) and a decent faucet like Delta. Our Kohler pedestal has lasted 35 years with no chips, breaks, etc. Use lights that shine down, not up like the examples here. Keep it simple.

Three separate pendants is my vote. Finish I am unsure of as there is so much going on.

Yes now that I see it written white for sure. I agree.

I like the idea of white. Was my original thought. Husband didn't. I think all these votes for white might override him!!

Thanks for all the input.

I thought the wallpaper was the black sample with flowers.

I'm sorry, but the beige wallpaper looks like the faux/sponge painting that was popular in the late 1990's

Will your shower threshold/side walls be the same stone as your countertop? If yes, I hope it’s a solid material and not another pattern. I like it going all the way up to the arch.

Plain white to cover ALL the inside of the arch doorway.

I would tile it with small mesh backed square mosaics including the top. Crisp white would pop or could do the squares of your wall tile, it just might be too matchy matchy for me. If you are ising any accent tiles in the shower itself like for the back of a niche, match the tile with that.

This is a perfect example of the phrase, "Just because you CAN do something doesn't mean you SHOULD do it."

It's a dumb idea from the outset: How much time do you spend on the toilet in a day? 15 minutes max? Every 2nd or 3rd year you catch a stomach flu and use more. The space could be better used in any number of ways.

Whitney your concerns are valid about how furniture will work in the bedroom - it’s not an ideal entry into the room and then from the bedroom to the bath, etc. it’s worth looking at the whole to see where overall improvements can be made. If this is a laundry that just services your en-suite I could see reworking that as well. If this laundry serves the whole house then that’s a different thing entirely.

I found Ikea's kitchen designer great and easy to use unless you just want image ideas then AI can be OK for that.

That looks like a cheerful space! Have you considered putting the table desk that is floating in the room by the computer area (so it’s like a peninsula off that niche? Then you could add a lounge chair by the door for reading, etc.

I like the blue chairs. I just took my colors from the art (which may not actually be in the room; its angle makes me think it's been edited in). The rug I showed is actually blue, just lighter than the chairs and a bit grayed. (It's this one: https://www.rugs-direct.com/Details/Momeni-Mallorca-MRC02/141666). One of my goals was a room that looks warm and happy, especially if it's a play space for kids.

I agree that the glass door needs some covering for a sense of privacy at night, but perhaps something full-length (or that can be lowered to full-length) would add some of the needed height? The half-curtain emphasizes the "everything at the bottom" look. Maybe a bamboo or reed blind for texture?

A summary of our work together. The attic, which was only used occasionally, gained organized functional areas using equipment I already had at home, and in my opinion, it took on a more cozy atmosphere. Thank you.

And this is Cambria’s white cliff in a matte finish. With your wood cabinets and wood floors I think a solid counter - dark or white - will give you the vibe you say you want:

Any time, Joe! As an engineer, I'm a bit of a stickler for details - and I like visuals.

Buy the quietest looking countertop you can so the room looks the way you want. Buy trivets that are gorgeous and learn a new habit (place hot things on trivets). If you don’t get the look you want, you will be unhappy.
Re-visit Formica. It’s better than you think. Look at Corian.
I have used ceramic tiles from different countries as my “hot plates” for years. I have a favorite that is a long wood slat one. I have never thought about placing anything hot on any counter I owned (4 houses so far) because my generation had Formica that melted when hot.
Your new kitchen will be gorgeous if the countertop is solid white. Go for it.