Should I remove the drywall returns on the windows? You can if you wish. If done carefully you wont have to do any drywall touch ups as the casing trim should hide where you cut the drywall. Don't forget to use window and door spray foam where you shim out the jambs. Can I use screws on the few areas that need tightened up? Please do before it falls on your head. Reinforce the whole thing. Staples just don't have the strength to hold a ceiling up vs gravity. Same thing if they were standard nails, at minimum they should be threaded nails but screws are better.

UGHHHHH ... What is wrong with people, why do they do that! If plaster is bad enough to drywall instead of repair theplaster, then its bad enough to REMOVE COMPLETELY. Should be easy if its that bad of condition. If its stuck on tight and cant be removed - then just fix the dang plaster! Futzing w/ new trim ... that could be expensive too if you get something milled to be similar to what you have... youd have to build out the windows/doors as well to get the trim to be on top of the drywall. Id almost be tempted to remove the drywall and do it right It is possible to do drywall patches , even quite large depending on the extent of the damage, and not have to remove the trim. But Im afraid it would still be a beast of a job. Sorry Im not much help - you have my sympathies.

Hi, this is Kim, not Jim. I think it is a very cute room. I love the window seat that you guys created. Some ideas, according to small budget and your list. 1. Purge any and all clothing that you don't really wear. If he can't part with it...put in storage somewhere if possible--shed, garage, attic, or under the bed. Then remove the clothes rack and ladder. ( or just put what is rarely used on the rack and ladder and move them to the attic, etc) You could then move the dresser to the wall where the clothes rack was and have better flow into the room. And put up some other artwork on that far wall--you guys hopefully have some pieces that you have done that you can hang up--or now you have a new project! 2. I, too, like the color of the room, but the 2 wardrobes look a little yellow--while the trim is white. Perhaps paint the wardrobes a crisp white, similar to the trim in the room. But of course if you really dislike the blue then pick a color that you do like--a bit lighter and perhaps a shade warmer would make you feel less gloomy. Put the new lighting in BEFORE you pick your paint color, because just doing that may change your feeling about the color. 3. I don't think that the new bed will fit comfortably in that room. Save your money and instead buy a door for the bathroom! THIS should probably be #1 on the list! 4. I think the gray curtains and throw don't add to the room. Changing one or both may help. (of course according to what you can afford--but if you aren't going to purchase that new bed, then a new colorful throw and some pillow covers/cases might be in the budget.) If you can get away with having only the white sheers, (i.e. your window doesn't face the street so your neighbors will see you naked) then just remove the heavy gray curtain. That would be great for the budget. If not, then perhaps add a printed curtain that coordinates well with the color from the wall/bed may be pretty. 5. I think how you light a room can be key to your enjoyment of it. Decoenthusiest had great suggestions for the lighting. I think changing out the pendant light and not hanging it so low would go a long way to changing how you feel about this room. 6. I agree that rug on rug doesn't make a lot of sense. That one is an easy fix--separate them--put the Persian rug somewhere else in the house. The other seems to fit better in the space and is very neutral with your flooring. Hope this helps give you some ideas--most of us don't have extensive budgets for decorating. Good luck! I think it's a cute space! Make fun art for the other walls!!!!

I agree with painting the window trim a white that matches the vinyl, and personally, I'd paint all the trim. (whatever you do, I strongly recommend against painting the actual frames if they're vinyl.) also agree that you can choose just about any color you want for the front door. the fun part about that is that it's not that hard to paint a door, so you can easily change it if you don't like it.