The Behr Exterior Inspiration page includes this Neutral Simple Craftsman example whose colors might work.

I’d rather have blue or the current yellow than gray. It’s a beautiful house — I’d replace the broken gingerbread details.

Maybe google images for “farmhouse Victorian” or “Queen Anne” for paint color ideas.

I like the yellow and I love the gingerbread trim. Neutral is boring. Paint the door tomato red.

Reversible MR (Moisture Resistant) Beadboard Panels

"One side of the panel has beads that are 2 5/8" on center. The other side has beads that are 4" on center."

Beadboard and "V" Planks

"V-Groove Planks feature a 1/4" wide "V" groove with 4", 6", and Random Groove spacing."

Wood & PVC Beadboard

Standard Widths: 2-1/2", 3-1/4", 4-1/4", and 5-1/4"

Use beadboard IF you have a home that is Colonial in style, otherwise, that material is a bit too traditional to be appropriate.

Make sure wainscotting is the correct solution or decorative option.

Board and Batten could be a good choice for wainscot.

thank you @3onthetree I do not have any gas appliance - condo is all electric. does that mean I can just go with smoke alarm? condo walls are plaster of paris, would that be an issue to drill hole?

"looks like he wants me to move an existing one to new location near bedroom"

You don't have to move the existing detector. Just buy a new one and attach it to the ceiling. The USI MIC3510SB Combination Smoke & Carbon Monoxide Detector was top-rated by CR (Home Depot, Walmart). The instructions state where to install it.

I'd suggest removing one of the bulbs to determine its brightness (in lumens) and color temperature (in Kelvin or "K"). You may be able to replace the bulbs with ones whose light is not so harsh. If the brightness and color temperature are not written on the bulb, what are the manufacturer and part/model number?

My doctors office placed big sheets of rice paper over the light panels. Look great.

You can buy long LED bulbs to replace the flourscent.

Rustoleum DIY metal paint projects (instructions with supplies on the left):

• Painted Light Fixtures
• Painted Metal Chair
• Spray Painted Desk Lamp
• Light Up The Sky

My lamp isn’t brass but some kind of glass - I spray painted it years ago and still looks perfect. It was quick and easy - who knew?

Yes, you can spray paint them and I have done that before with some kitchen pendants. Used rustoleum spray. Took the fixtures apart and hung them in the garage to spray them. For best results do several light coats instead of just one or two thicker ones.

If the lamps are old/antique and real brass, I would consider their value and/or uniqueness, before I covered them with spray paint. If the lamps are from the 1980's or younger, then feel free to spray them.

Yes, I would. In incandescent bulbs, 60w vs a 40w bulb is a large dfference in heat output. In LED bulbs, a 5w vs 3.6w bulb is only 1.4w difference, or not much heat. And, the picture of the fixture in question is just a glorified boob light, and imo it should handle the slight wattage increase with no issue.

HU-867564120: "the picture of the fixture in question is just a glorified boob light..."

The shade is silk, not glass.

What are the lumens and color temperature of the bulbs you bought. You might try these comzler E12 LED Candelabra Bulb Dimmable, Chandelier Light Bulb 4000K Neutral White,40W Equivalent. These 4000K bulbs would provide a "whiter" light than bulbs of a lower color temperature (e.g., 2700K, 3000K) and appear brighter through the shade.

• This Link2Home Space Saver Pop Up-Outlet requires a 2.4-2.5" hole and it can be pulled up to expose only the USB ports or the USB ports and AC outlets.
• This 4" Link2Home 10-Watt Space Saver Pop Up-Outlet includes an induction charger that can charge compatible phones even when pushed down into the countertop.
• This rectangular Link2Home 3-Outlets Space Saver Pop Up Socket is only 2-1/4" wide.

They're "huge" because you want them to be/have everything, not just a simple outlet.

Install them flush and, if possible. so they match your counters. Ours are black & blend in with our black counters so no one really notices them even though they are installed proud, not flush. Ours only have a double outlet so they're not as big.

what's wrong w/have a USB plug in outlet on the sides of the island? why the pop up?

like this?

yes it's convenient, but I use the plug on the side of my island all the time. not a big deal.

have you seen these options?

I'd rather have this,

do a black one on a black or dark island.

than this

how about a pullout drawers for usb charging needs?

or, some other charging station ideas:

https://www.gardenweb.com/discussions/4709513/just-finished-a-small-re-construction-project-for-the-north-alley#n=5

See Section 2.3, Location Restrictions.

When the position of the can is critical, I'd recommend remodel cans even for new construction. Run wire, drywall, drill exactly where they go, fish for wire, and connect. I've seen too many cans installed halfway over a full-height pantry cabinet and not centered over the doors.

I used Juno 17* trims (scroll down for the many finishes) and compatible housings (e.g., Juno IC1, TC1R) in my living room upgrade. The trims are also available square. I wanted fixtures whose bulbs (PAR20) were recessed to reduce glare. I used these 2" Nicor DLR2 in hallways because I wanted small fixtures there.

Note that recessed downlights with screw-in bulbs aren't legal in California (see page 6-6).

1. Is there a standard electrical box (aka "j-box") inside the blue mounting fixture to which the existing light is attached?
2. What is the diameter of the blue mounting fixture?

How would that work with the electrical wiring running on the ceiling to the base?

Appears that the globe fixture is mounted to a Wiremold Solid Base Fixture Box Fitting.

https://www.legrand.us/wire-and-cable-management/raceway-and-cord-covers/steel/wiremold-500-700-series-solid-base-fixture-box-fitting-ivory/p/v5738a

The fitting is essentially a junction box (j box). Should be no problem to fit a surface mount fixture to. Just do as A Mat outlined.

That Wiremold box is 5-1/2" in diameter. This Progress Lighting 5-1/2" Emblem Collection Surface Mount LED is the same diameter so it might look the best. I'd paint the box to match the ceiling. An alternative: this Juno JSBC SlimBasics at 5-1/4" in diameter.

"...I am looking at an induction cooktop with pop-up downdraft behind it. The question is: where does our oven go? We cannot install a wall oven..."

Depending on how the blower is installed and the hood vented, a cooktop with a wall oven below it can be installed with the Best Cattura D49M30SB downdraft hood. The "Bosch Cooktop/Built-in Oven Approved Combination Guide" (for example) shows which Bosch-brand cooktops and wall ovens can be installed together. GE Profile cooktops and wall ovens can also be installed this way.

"GE Profile downdraft makes it very clear that it cannot be installed behind a cooktop/builtin combo."

I see that: because the blower box is at the front which increases the depth of the hood to 7-1/4". But that doesn't mean that you couldn't use a Profile or otherbrand cooktop and oven with a Cattura hood.

Here are a few of CR-recommended 36" induction cooktops and 30" wall ovens, respectively, from the same manufacturer that might be compatible:

• LG Studio CBIS3618B + LG WSEP4727F
• GE Profile PHP9030DJBB + Café CTS70DP2NS1
• Whirlpool WCI55US0JB* + KitchenAid KOSE500ESS

-----

*not a CR-recommended cooktop

Another option is an induction cooktop with downdraft built in. However, you'd have to locate the oven elsewhere.

• Elica ENS436BL 36 Inch NikolaTesla Switch Induction Cooktop
• Bertazzoni PE364IDDNET 36" Induction Downdraft Cooktop

"She also acknowledged that the back burners receive more benefit than the front."

The LG Studio CBIS3618B is apparently discontinued but the LG CBIH3617BE 36” Induction Cooktop and CBIH3613BE 36” Induction Cooktop appear to be available and three induction elements are at the rear and would be close to a downdraft hood.

Thank you! I'll look into that option.

Put me in the same camp as your friend. I have had a wolf cooktop in an island with a downdraft since 2004, Only option I had, and stuff gets fried several times a week, especially bacon.

Is it as good as a hood...of course not. Does it smell like bacon for a few hours,,,yes. Is there a greasy residue on the two glass pendant lights hanging over the island...no, and never has been. Is the 8 foot ceiling greasy or stained...nope.

This is my experience, Sometimes you have to do what you have to do.

PS.. to answer your original question, the only downside I see is the storage space you will lose. I have storage under the cooktop, but it of course is limited

@Raz Matiz: "Can you change the yellow oak hardwood floor to this color"

Unless I'm mistaken the pictured floor is sanded and unfinished. You have a great deal of control over how an oak floor can be finished. Take a look at the web pages for Bona stains and Bona sealers to get an idea how a wood floor can be finished.

It looks pink and although there's some color variation, I see no boards with sapwood streaks that are indicative of White Oak. I think it's Red Oak but a closer picture would be required to confirm it.

I'd test Bona Red Out in a closet.

By all means get induction. The benefits far outweigh any disadvantages. I always thought gas was the way to go until I discovered induction. I've had my induction range for eight years and only have one small scratch that happened early on. I'm sure it was from my husband using it as a counter top when he pulled something out of the OTR microwave. Since then I've kept a placemat on top when it's not in use and nary another scratch. I try not to slide pans around and I've never used anything under them.

"Ive read they scratch and crack easier and you cant slide your pans around"

I have the LG LSE4617ST induction range. I slide pots around and there are no scratches in the glass cooktop. Current model is LG LSIS6338F.

"I understand the learning curve and specific pots and pans."

Not all pans are induction-compatible. See page 32 of the instructions for details and how to test your cookware for compatibility.

I have the LG LSE4617ST induction range which has convection and non-convection cooking. The current LG LSIS6338F is similar.

Roasted chicken -- whole bird or pieces --comes out better using convection. Roast beef too, but who can afford that these days. Your oven might come with an air fry feature , which is just convection with more fan speed & no preheat time. I like that for fish & pork tenderloin, for reheating day old breads, recrisping pizza, roasting veggies, & warming leftovers.

For years my pie crusts burned, & I had to pull out a hot pie to cover the rim with foil for the final minutes. Don't have to do that anymore with convection. Pie crusts come out beautiful.

CB2 $14.95

I like this Amerock Emerge H37003CZ ($13) at Amazon, Build

Mia: I'd use simple, black pulls with those matt-finish shaker doors, not fussy ones like the ones shown sitting on a countertop pictured earlier. Amazon has a bunch. I used Ravinte pulls on my closet which are well made and look fine.

Clarification just in case - we have only one cabinet in Silvered gray 282. The stain looks like an off white color, it’s very light . Before lacquer was applied , I noticed that stain brought out some pink which disappeared after applying lacquer or maybe the wood just cured . I read that sometimes pink hue disappears after a while on white oak .

But the rest of the cabinets in the house is mw classic gray .
I wasn’t sure if it’s clear.
MW Classic Gray has a very obvious strong gray color. Asked painters to apply and remove immediately- not wait for even 5 minutes. The goal was NOT to make them gray but to bring out grain to an extent and to sort of age the wood.
But even after quick removal
there were spots that took stain too hard and were obviously gray.
I walked throughout the house and sanded places away such places myself .
At some spots I wish I had sanded more.
Idk if anyone will ever need this info because obviously the trend is 180 degree different . But just in case again. 😀 be careful and test test test. And even after that watch out.
One wonderful thing about wood is that things can be fixed almost indefinitely.

PS : edited grammar and spelling.

Mia , want sure if you are asking me - my hardware is on its way:). Can’t wait for it. A bit worried how the shorter pulls will look - I have 4 3-3/4” ones, hope not too chunky, lol. I

You do understand that heat expelled at the back of the range is routed through the black vent trim which is higher than the countertop behind the range, correct? The range is designed to be installed in a cutout whose countertop is 36" high. The vent trim is about 1" higher; heat does not come in direct contact with the countertop or anything below it.

That "Decor Guard" is not for this LSGL6335F range.

The heat coming out of these black vents on the top of the range is hot enough to give you a steam burn…

I assume the 16.5” overhang is for bar stools? Yikes! 😳 🥵😭

I believe that even a Quartz overhang cannot be more then 1/3 of the depth and no deeper then 15”. You can ask your contractor.

Sorry, I am no help on which countertop material would be best. If it matched your kitchen colors and style, the Taj Mahal recommended by Chipsa would be my choice.

"Bosch Benchmark Wall Oven not baking center of cakes"

Maybe you should switch to cupcakes.

Re. baking cookies and cakes...

For cakes:

I forgot to mention in my post that I have found that pre-heating the oven is essential for good results (as others have mentioned). For pre-heating, I set the initial temperature, at the very least, to what the recipe recommends. Once the oven shows it is pre-heated, I put the baked good in the oven. Then I turn the temperature down 25 degrees. I set the timer for half way. Then I reduce the temperature by another 20-25 degrees at the halfway point. I get good results with this method.

For cookies:

I pre-heated the oven to recommended recipe baking temperature (350 degrees). I put the cookies in the oven and then immediately reduced the temperature to 305 degrees. These turned out very nicely with this temperature modification.

So, I got the Trifecte. So far so good. Looks the same to me as the others....

Only downside so far is that I can't remove the lock.

"Only downside so far is that I can't remove the lock."

Give the key to a neighbor in case one day you go out of control.

Thank you. We will do that!

• Daltile's Continental Slate porcelain tile mimics slate but is not suitable for use outdoors.
• Daltile does make a number of exterior tiles as shown in its brochure and catalog.
• Emil America offers many tiles that can be used outdoors. Click 'Outdoor' in the left-hand menu.

Every plumber I’ve talked to says go with Delta. We did and have had no issues (but it’s only been a few month since we moved in.)
Brizo is owned by Delta, so another vote for Brizo!

Brizo is the Delta fancy-pants brand. The Brizo T60P220-PC is $450 while the similar Delta T14259 is $150. Both have lifetime warranties. The Brizo R60000-UNBX rough-in valve is $65 while the identical Delta R10000-UNBX rough-in is $41.

"Maybe lighter would be better?"

The Behr inspiration Neutral Craftsman Ranch is light.

IMO painting or even glazing the brick will instantly devalue your home but a nice dark color from the brick for all the siding and trim could work . If by some miracle the grids can be removed form the windows that would be a bonus and also removing the arched widow tops They can be done with removal and some fill in siding outside and a drywall patch inside .IMO they scream 90s for no reason design. Yes you need a new door and maybe a bit more modern with more glass . Paint the garge doors the same too they are not pretty and so make them disappear as much as possible.

Thanks Patricia!! I am having someone come out and bid the cost of replacing the windows just to see, because the grids are not removable. I will also ask them about removing the arched windows.

What color is that grey?

I would strongly consider fiberglass windows such as those from Marvin and Milgard. If you're replacing single- or double-hung windows, consider casement (and awning) windows as these are the most energy efficient. Take care to understand glass options, particularly for west-facing windows where noon-to-sundown sunlight can easily overheat a room. Chosen carefully, energy-efficient windows can help reduce heating and air conditioning costs where electricity prices are high.

P.S. Our 10-unit condo installed Enerlux fiberglass windows and patio doors which have performed well. You might call the company and ask whether it has a Southern California installer/partner. We had to find our own installer in DC.

Reasonable prices and SoCal don't usually occupy the same sentence.

• Exterior Painting Gallery
• Exterior, Denver
• Paint Jobs
• Poppleton Park

I'd leave the brick alone.

"worry that the copper gutters and matching windows are what drives it home?? Two things that are out of budget."

• This Behr Inspiration Cool Spanish Classic paints the walls and gutters but leaves the windows white.
• Behr Inspiration Cool Classic Colonial incorporates a lighter shade of green with coffee shutters and white windows.
• But simple Exterior, Denver and Paint Jobs with white trim still look fine and better than what you have now.

You said the brick doesn't continue around the house? Honestly, if the brick is just that front strip, I would paint it to blend with the rest of the home - love the deeper colors suggested above

I like the dark siding w/the brick.

this is SW Peppercorn. go w/a deep black for the door and shutters.

this one is more of a charcoal/bronze tone. You can spray your gutters/spouts in a copper shade

these are pretty colors w/a wood door

these two would also look nice w/the brick. either way. or do the lighter on siding, darker on shutters/door

if you like the sage green colors:

Similar home style done w/a slate blue and white

Before /After (bottom) close to yours. have you ever though about doing a porch overhang?

A cherry red door might look nice w/this one^

if you ever considered a limewash, (Romabio Classico) you'd get something like this w/a soft gray accent.

Landscaping will make a huge improvement to the curb appeal.

some similar homes w/more drastic remakes

Several of the Behr Inspiration photos show N480-7 MIDNIGHT BLUE which would be consistent with the roof color.

or darker

Navy blue would work as well

Cut back the shrubs. Not sure they will survive the severe cutting they require.

I would change your house color scheme to this. It's more sophisticated IMO.

Casement windows are the best; most energy efficient -- no meeting rail -- and able to catch the wind! It's sad to have to sit behind an inoperable window -- as in an office building -- as a pleasant, cooling wind blows outside. Marvin two-wide fiberglass casement windows (for example) are available up to 6' x 6' so you could replace the old picture window with them. You can included "divided lites" (aka grids) as Marvin calls them in casements as described in the product specifications. I'd replace the other windows with casements too.

Looking through houzz photos of houses with stone fronts, most have light colored windows so you might choose those. Maybe trim the hedge to improve the view. And remove the shutters; the ones on the first floor are puny compared with the size of the window and those on the second floor are a bit odd as they're wider than the gable.

I like the red door on this house:

Ridgeview · More Info

"my Bosch except it would not recognize a small saucepan"

Bosch cooktop instructions (section 4.2) don't specify the minimum pan size for an induction element. Both GE instructions (page 15) and Frigidaire instructions (page 7) do. The Frigidaire FPIC3677RF might be a good choice if you like control knobs.

Be sure to measure the size of the gas cooktop's cutout before selecting a replacement induction cooktop unless you are planning to also replace the countertop. You'll probably need to add a 240-volt circuit for the induction cooktop; the circuit for the gas cooktop is probably only 120 volts.

My husband used to use his single cup stove top coffee maker on our Bosch 800 cooktop - no problems. It was probably 3.5 inches.

Thanks to all for your comments. Will be going back to the Bosch and using the frying pan idea for my brown butter

Just an observation: If you look through the houzz recessed ceiling photos, you see that the entire ceiling is usually painted the same color and that the cabinet color is not carried onto only the non-recessed portion of the ceiling.

You have a lovely kitchen. I love love love your slab backsplash.

We have a trey ceiling on one side of our kitchen where the breakfast nook is..

I think we broke some rule as we painted the ceiling part super white to match the trim and the rest of the ceilings in our home. The vertical part we painted balboa mist the same color as our walls. Our tray is slightly different than yours. I think you could not go wrong doing either. Unless you paint it a dramatic color that might take away from your beautiful kitchen.

I have the chandy lifted as we are having a large party later tonight and I need the space.

Here is a photo

Thanks for the reassurance. I will probably keep the whole ceiling Simply White then. We had a leak that damaged our cabinets and floors so this wasn’t a planned remodel. I had to make quick decisions.

And thanks about our slab. I fell in love with the Da Vinci quartzite. It’s a bit busy so I tried to keep the rest simple.

The Behr Exterior Inspiration web page has some nice choices such as...

• Navajo White (yellow)
• Blueprint
• Sage Gray
• Loft Space
• Vintage Pewter

I am not fond of navy blue on your house, however, on the link above posted by wdccruise, there is a Blueprint posted, that I think would be absolutely stunning on your home. Leave the railings.

Thank you all for the input! Really appreciate all the ideas! We are now also wondering if we should do something beyond painting it all the same color. I took the stock concept above and (very roughly) tried to see what it would look like on our house. On the front gable, I'd put trim between the white and the colored sections. Thoughts?

Thanks all, I am going with White Down I think. It's a grayish white in same family as the rev storm.

They really balance each other out.

https://www.benjaminmoore.com/en-us/paint-colors/color/oc-131/white-down

Did you scroll down the Revolutionary Storm webpage to see the "Matching Colors" of which Lime White is one?

@wsea - no, the steps on the upper flight will not be floating... the actual framing is shown. If needed, the wall can be penetrated for a wire and be fire-sealed with a surface mount light, but I do not want to cut an outlet box into that drywall, if that makes sense.

@wdccruise - I appreciate the thoughts, and think you may not be understanding the challenges. Gimbaling light was the plan, but tested, there is tremendous glare for hall-passers-by due to the elevation of the light. If pointed back towards the recess from the edge of the stairs, then the person walking down the stairs is blinded.

@The Kitchen Abode Ltd. - Thanks for the recommendation. I looked briefly at their site, and think I ran across them when looking at lighting art previously. Are you referring to one of their light 'projectors', or a different product line?

@Paul F. - Thanks for your good understanding the request. Yes, I may have a misconception, though with the sample tests I had with a WAC lotus downlight, having lights placed just a few feed above the objects (back of the area next to the stairs), it was definitely a narrower spread and hotter near the center. Do you think that will change with a different fixture? Separation heights from 'ceiling' to step are 6'-3", 4'-3", and 2' (and that does not account for height of any decorations placed there).

I have some other Nora fixtures, and good to hear about the different lens options which may help. I'll checkout your recommendation - thank you.

• Nicor DLG2 2" Gimbal Recessed LED Downlight with "SP" spot optics* -OR-
• Nicor DQR2-AA 2” Adjustable Square LED Downlight with "SP" spot optics*

plus

• Nicor 12202R-LED-ICAT 2” LED Remodel Air Tight Housing

and

• Lutron LED+ Dimmer

-----

*20 degree beam angle

1. Browse to the Sherwin-Williams All Blues webpage.
2. Click 'Muted'.
3. Dutch Tile blue is in the 4th row, 4th column.
4. Niebla Azul (2nd row, 2nd column), Tradewind (1st row, 5th column), and Lullaby (1st row, 2nd column) and appear similar but lighter.

wow, you guys are awesome - thank you so much!

Is it better to just try to find another color

Always. The search can be done digitally like Marylee H did and you can pull the chips to evaluate.

If nothing shows up +/- in terms of lightness and/or intensity, then going the cutting formula route makes sense.

Cutting formulas means you have no idea what you're going to get until it's mixed, swatched and dry. At which point you own the custom mix whether you like it or not.

You can buy a 27 watt LED bulb which is equivalent to a 200 watt incandescent bulb!

Hallet&Co. Thanks for your opinion! I already know how to install light fixtures as I've chaned kitchen ceiling lights and installed a chandelier in my dining room.

Anyways I ended up buying a 13-inch shade from IKEA and installed it. The converter was $5, and the shade was about $16 including tax. It would have been hard to find a light fixture for $20🥲

wdccruise, thanks for the suggestion! Unfortunately I already bought smart bulbs and wanted to use them. I ended up getting an affordable shade from IKEA.

"I kind of hate all these new touch screens that are used on 99% of wall ovens today."

Reasonably-priced double wall ovens with control knobs:

• Frigidaire Professional Series PCWD3080AF ($2900)
• Bertazzoni MAST30FDEXV ($3800)
• Signature Kitchen Suite UPWD3034ST ($5200)

We found our Miele double ovens (one is a combi steam) had a very short learning curve. The interface was pretty darn easy to master. Eight years, no issues.

Hmmm, well ... I rarely use the oven timer (use my phone instead) b/c the "I'm done!" chime isn't very loud and I'm often elsewhere in the house. There is a separate "light" button outside of the touchscreen on the Pro series, so no scrolling there. I love the side-opening doors & full-extension racks so much. I think speed to get to your required temp & the evenness of temps (with a variety of convection set-ups) are also great. But, as a back-up, I'd vote for SKS. I have that 48" range top and it's all knobs and solid quality.

• The BM Waynesboro Taupe webpage shows Yorktowne Green as a matching color.
• Behr's BXC-10 Warm Stone is similar to Waynesboro Taupe. Behr's website shows T18-20 Equilibrium and PPU14-19 English Channel as coordinating colors.

Thank you all very much. I had been thinking red or blue, but perhaps a green will work better. Thanks for your help!

Here's an article I just came across that may help you:

https://www.benjaminmoore.com/en-us/project-ideas-inspiration/exteriors/front-entrance-ideas-inspiration

Black would be a good choice to spray paint the metal parts only, here's the look...

Are you sure that the glass top isn't just set onto the metal frame? Have you tried taking the table into the yard and turning it over to see if the glass would fall out? I wouldn't paint the glass or fabric, just the metal. Rustoleum Outdoor Project Video Library.