I appreciate the few constructive comments above, but that isn't what I am particularly looking for. Houzz is a great platform for users to seek design advice and find unique ways to solve them. I totally understand that nobody has the same taste! The point is to give constructive criticism for the betterment of all of our homes and other spaces. I understand that the internet isn't a bland serious place, and I also understand that there is certainly room for humor. The problem is that there is a very thin line between mild humor and plain destructive insults that just do not make that much sense. Yes, I do have 3 larger homes that I am trying to sell off. The main reason is the petroleum crisis up here, leaving many who relied on the industry with larger, "investment" homes that depreciate like a stock market crash. I know that I can hire an architect, and I have hired several, but there is really no harm in asking the internet about it. I currently just am seeking casual advice and creative idea coming from multiple people instead of just one architect's opinion. I am sorry about the confusion here.

that is a heap of stuff. could you maybe break this into a couple of different questions? maybe it will seem less exhausting in the morning, but right now... maybe one thread per room?

-make the transition between ceilings and walls as less drastic as possible. similar colors(whether lighter or darker) on both ceilings and walls. You don't have this very clear border-you experience less of that "white lid" effect. If you'd rather have contrast-install moldings..paint them ceiling color..visually, you'll experience it half a foot higher. Tricks the eye like there's no tomorrow. -Use lights on all levels-table lights, sconces, wall chandeliers, floor lamps..against conventional wisdom-ceiling lights might work especially if rooms are too long and expanse of ceiling is relatively too big..there are some pretty flushmounts and semi flash mounts (I usually go for vintage but they started making more new ones nowadays)..or you can put a pendant in a sitting area-somewhere where no one will hit his head..in short, create levels of lighting, and work with a specific room-maybe room X will benefit from having a ceiling light? don't go by general rules always-look at the room in question. Ceiling fans are the hardest to get right with low ceilings-they're big and can feel oppressive -any possibility of creating skylights? again, besides being sourse of light-makes ceilings feel higher. Immediately. It's like a visual jump. -make rooms interesting(maybe they already are). have art, plants, bring lots of soft textures, personal details. low ceilings want to be cozy? okay..give them that. make your rooms crazy livable, cozy, and interesting-the eye will travel with pleasure and won't concentrate on how exactly the ceilinng is low. It'll have other things to explore. You'll tend to forget about the ceiling's height-you'll see a room that begs you to stay, regardless. Curtains-take them to the top..art-don't be afraid of big pieces/gallery walls that climb up..have less furniture pieces but bigger ones..embrace what you've got. And have fun! (we have 8'' ceiling in our new place-and I'm very not used to that, I grew up differently and all but some of the above tips I tried personally-because I perceived new ceilings as very low-and they helped. Obviously 7,5 are harder..but I believe you can get to where you still love your second floor quite a lot. Even though it has lower ceilings)

Niiiice! Are the deck and supports in good condition? I would put my money there.... You need a wood shed ASAP to run the woodstove. Place an order for kiln-dried wood. Storing wood under the back deck will be super inconvenient when it's 20 below. Plus, snow melt will drip through the boards of the deck and ice the logs together (been there, done that). The shed should be nearer the front door. Sometime this summer collect blow-down twigs on your property. Garbage cans are great for storing these. Will you have auxiliary heat to keep the pipes from freezing? Otherwise, you're not going to be visiting on winter weekends, 'cos you're going to have to drain the pipes for winter. No concrete for a porch. It will crack in no time. Use wood. Try Trex for the steps, and make them extra wide so you can easily schlepp stuff like firewood into the house. You can use crusher for your front pathway; it does well in freeze/thaw cycles and is cheap to replace. Consider having a more substantial entrance, like a big vestibule or enclosed porch (a very New England thing). There will be muddy boots, wet jackets, skis, fishing rods, waders, hats, snow, wet, mud, everywhere. These get stashed BEFORE people go into the house front door in some kind of fore-room. Slippers get put on. You need a bench or chair there. Extensive doormats and drip spaces. Yep, have a mouse treatment of some kind for the house. Have a way to store food so mice can't get it. At least carpet is warm underfoot. Maybe the right idea would be to have some comfy rugs. The knotty pine is fab. Even minor changes to it would lower the property value, especially whitewash, scraping, paint... If there's a way to take down a tree or two to add more interior light and/or open the lake view, I think that would be smart. I don't think that house has been in the woods very long, so it's not like you'd be taking down historic trees. I disagree that the woodstove should be in a corner or to the side. It's essential for heating the home: it should be central so warmth reaches everywhere. If you have kids or pets, you MUST put a metal barrier around the woodstove for safety reasons. This can have a gate so an adult can access the front of the stove to load wood. Do you have a security system of some kind? Might be a good idea for a seasonal place that's that nice.