I have a townhome I am trying to get ready to re-rent. I need to cut costs somewhere because I am having to make a lot of repairs, updates, etc. but I want something that resists stains, and generally holds up to tenant abuse. I have been advised that a tight weave Berber would be my best bet for the living room, stairs and bedrooms. And I was planning to use porcelain tile in the breakfast room, laundry, kitchen, bathrooms. I don't want to have to do this again in 2, 3 or 6 years. Am I making the right choices? Now I have a bigger problem as well. This townhouse is about 30 years old. The entry way is red brick, and it butts up against the living room on one side (carpet). I was going to have it torn out and replaced with the tile but every carpet/tile place tells me that will cost me a lot to tear out the brick, depending on whether it is a full brick or half brick and what is under it. Since I don't know the answers to these questions (don't know if there is a way to tell, do you?), I just had a thought (strange as that may be)! I know they stain concrete and paint concrete. Could I do something like that right over the brick?? What would this entail? Its about a 6x6 area. Any experts out there? or "been there, done thats"? [Its not flat. You know, the grout lines (mortar) aren't level with the brick.] Need some answers pretty quick. Have to get this thing on the market PDQ. Thanks.

How about some elegant black iron scroll work? There are scads of varieties and they are often the perfect solution for a wall that needs that certain "something". (The photos are from my home.) I recommend choosing art that a) reflects your interests and b) makes you happy every time you see it. You said you can't your hang travel visas and martinis, but why not? You could frame your travel visas and arrange them under a large matte. For the martinis, you could either buy a painting or print of them or literally frame some martini classes in a shadow box. You might also consider vintage travel posters from places you love or that you've already been to. Your home is very nice!

Thank you tnfarmhousefixin! I agree the gallery wall looks off. If I do keep the family photos, it needs to be completely redone. And yes to bringing the pics closer together! We do not enter/exit through the front door. Like ever. We come in and out though out garage Front door if pretty much only for visitors/guests. Are you suggesting a table on one of the walls that flanks the dining room? I just don't think that will work bc it's a main walkway. However, I am interested in replacing the entry way table I already have. That one is just a little small. (It's "original Thomasville, lol, from my parents! Easily 40 years old:)

OK that helps. Bringing in the black will really help your overall look. Black helps "ground" a space. Here is a look that might be interesting and different for your high volume entry space. The glass globes hang from a center plate and you can design whatever look you want because each glass globe hangs independently. Believe it or not, it is pretty inexpensive as fixtures go for large, high ceiling spaces. This is a large home I did a couple years ago and with this turning staircase and a long window that faced outside, we wanted a "statement". This did it and didn't break the bank. You can get different numbers of glass balls as well. A good lighting store could help you do something like this.