Clarification on the house itself... It was (and still is underneath) originally a hot dog stand in the 1940's. Then, in the mid-80's converted to a residential. There are two windows in our garage...they are the original hot dog stand windows still in their untouched original paint (blue). All of the other windows are white. So, some of the building's history remains. At the time it was converted, the sunroom with the killer view was added. It adjoins the kitchen & has a 15' open beam ceiling. On the south wall (Connecticut's shores face south)...there's a 10' wall of arched windows. When we purchased the property we: completely re-roofed; replaced countertops with granite (leaving the original, custom-built oak cabinets); added propane for a gas stove; put in new Koehler cast-iron sink, range, & frig as I noted above; the tile floors were in excellent condition so we left those; recarpeted the living room, hall, & den, & bedroom; added central air-conditioning; replaced the garage door & all of the exterior window shutters; added a new 1,600 s.f. patio to the front of the property (there are two additional brick patios in the rear); replaced the atrium door leading from the sunroom to the rear patios (all windows are Anderson so we didn't replace anything except this atrium door which had some rot); tore out all of the old landscaping & redid in an English cottage-style; redid some plumbing; the bathroom was already in great shape so we haven't touched it; repainted the interior; added tumbled marble to the kitchen wall that faces the sunroom; and probably other stuff that I can't remember right now. So, it's a small (1,255 s.f.) home with only one bedroom plus a den, one bathroom, living room, eat-in kitchen, and a large sunroom. There's an attached over-sized one car garage with workshop in the back. There's also a garden shed on the property. The home is that New England brown with white trim, windows, doors, etc. Oh yeah, that's something else we did...we replaced the front door with a really pretty leaded-glass door & replaced the storm door with a ridiculously expensive powder coated, stainless steel-framed door with glass center section & a screen for summer. But, with the salt air we thought the SS would ultimately hold up much better & cost less than replacing the door every 3-5 years. The home's size is quite typical of the area...some larger & some smaller. I still can't see it being a tear down but who knows...Sooey says they are tearing cottages down just 30-40 west of me so, maybe, someone would tear ours down too? Tricia

Thank you for the responses. I'm not sure if I have bleached oak or white wash. It is not "pinkish" which I've assumed was more of a pickeled, it is more whiteish or yellowish actually after being 20 years old. Bigdoglover (I love big dogs, too btw..) the reason I didnt want to involve the stairs and railing was because it also includes the whole upstairs and hallway (and the floor in my bedroom, but that didnt bother me as much) so, I just didnt want to deal with it. I think what I have decided to do is carpet the stairs and hallway and get the warmer wood in the kitchen/dining/livingroom that I've always wanted. I'll have to just sand and stain the banisters, thats all. I dont mind the carpet in these areas, as it is now I have a runner on the stairs and hallway...so this will just be wall to wall in that area. There are too many problems with the bleaching and besides, my husband really despises it. Thanks again for all of your help. Now on to newer problems.....!

Thanks everyone! This is an old thread and I just happened to stumble on helen's question when checking out new posts, and mostly trying to forget about Florence! I do appreciate your kind words and hope the table and chairs survive the storm, along with the rest of the house. We're right in the crosshairs but it has survived others and hope it will hang in there.....thanks again all :) Oh, and happy2b, of course you may use the photo, and good luck!

I think the grey wash will be a mistake. The floor is the biggest issue and IMO in the most need of an update. Painting the stairs ( or at least the risers and columns) white will help make the room feel more coastal. Really though you'll achieve the coastal design through furniture and decor.