Removing chain link fencing is one good way to update it! Remove shutters. Paint the house create a defined entrance, removing the old entrance overhang and columns. A Metal roof would also be good. Be sure to check out your local Habitat For Humanity Re- store. note: cracking brick could mean foundation problems or something structural. Think Katrina Cottages

It's quite a puzzle to sort out when you aren't starting from scratch! Even then, with so many choices, I'm endlessly impressed with designers, decorators or anyone who is blessed with the "vision" it takes to bring a design challenge into focus and create something beautiful. The honest opinions from your different perspectives has triggered some heated discussions in our house! Design and personal taste bring out some inner passion, LOL... The most complicating factor, for me, is that underlying issue of a house as a commodity vs. a home and the effect that dichotomy has on our decision making. Our taste runs counter to the prevailing "resale value" taste. So, there's probably no way we are going to create a high "resale value" kitchen but we still hope to improve it. I am absolutely in love with cletile! Glo European Windows & Doors, thank you! And I also love the poured concrete idea, or maybe a concrete-look quartz... but there's debate about that in the family, with the other thought running towards a mystery white marble look. Replacing some of the cabinet doors with glass has gone over well so it looks like we'll be doing that for sure and maybe replacing some cabinets next to the sink with shelves... still mulling... We'll be re-reading all these comments over and over during the next month and hope to make some decisions so that we can get started in May. We'll post our progress. jhmarie, here's to refreshing an oak kitchen! I think yours turned out lovely! Well done. 123 Remodeling, thanks so much for taking the time to play with that photo! It's a great help to see some other colors and counter like that! To those of you who love the wood, your comments warmed our hearts! But all the constructive feedback is not only enormously helpful, it's fun! We've enjoyed reading everyone's thoughts. What a great resource this is. Many thanks.

MissB… i have you beat, lol. my two most used pans are my 41 yr old Revere Ware. Still love them. i do mashed potatoes in the large one and dont have to worry about my mixer damaging anything. Gave my girls my other Revere Ware and wish i had kept them! i also have several All-Clad (not non stick) that i use a lot because they are heavy and cook well and come clean in the dishwasher. did not come as a set. just buy what you really need. i have 3 non-stick. one griddle, one small egg pan, and one larger egg pan. do not use Pam. i have 3 Le Creuset. two large (i think 7 and 9 qt) and the braiser which i love. only buy what you will really use rather than a set.

Thanks for the feedback. We have a nice setup back there. This pic was old because I was just trying to capture the color and style of the house. But we have a couch and patio dining set, a big dining table and some Adirondack’s as well as an umbrella. It’s shaded nicely with trees too so very inviting(pic was not summer). As far as the front landscaping, yes, it’s not perfect, and I’m working on trimming things back. I was out of the home for a year that covered much of 2 growing seasons and it got away. Also waiting on city to fix the sidewalk where our large hell strip silver maple has upheaved the sidewalk before I get too ocd on edging. It does look a bit wild upfront but it’s not that bad in person, esp after I did some trimming and cleanup the other day. I think it’s the shade from our smaller maple and just time of day it kinda just makes all the green blur together. I also just sort of like trees and shrubs and variety. I have ground covers and such and I like that but I realize it crates a bit of a layered effect that isn’t as desirable to everyone. My neighbors entire yard is vinca and shade perennials and very “natural” so I sort of gave up hope on the manicured look for mine because the vinca creeps over. And the sun cooks everything in Denver so I like trees, even if they could use a trim. The maple in the picture has just been too young to necessitate a professional trim, but it’s probably there as of this year. The one by the porch is just a hawthorn and I missed the winter trim season before I realized how big it had gotten. Anyway, I’m at peace with the landscaping, but working on tidying up.