Just coming back to say that widening the deck/step area isn't necessarily a terribly expensive project. For instance, in my area, where the originals were all concrete and now are often crumbling, you see this a lot: So basically just an oversized, reinforced wooden box that goes over what is there and a separate assembly for the steps. I wouldn't want to do that for a full deck, but if you just want to widen what you have enough for safety…. I would also add a stair railing. Narrow wrought iron would have been the original choice if they'd put in railings when the house was new.

The birch was allowed to grow past young age with a horrible structure, especially for its placement directly in line with the house center. Were it mine, I'd either want it to reform, in spite of the fact that it would need to go through an awkward period, or I'd want it gone. It is the bottom limbs branching off at 4' above the ground that looks so bad. I'd remove the two lowest every year until it was reformed.

I’d do something more countryish. Woods or white. Remove the shutters New outdoor lighting Maybe a cushion on the bench to add some color ...

Thanks so much for the comments so far everyone! One thing I should have been clearer about is that yes, they definitely plan to remodel the bathrooms and the primary layout especially (also with aging in place in mind). I think the things they're worrying about most right now are more general ideas on the main living areas (dining, living, kitchen/family) and wondering about doing things like moving the kitchen to a completely different area, or trying to open things up a bit more, etc. But all of your comments are so helpful and the bathroom stuff is really giving them things to think about that they may not have. So I just want to make sure you know how much anything you put out here is appreciated. <3 Individual comments below... M Riz: Yes, the primary bath is definitely in need of a gut and they will be doing that for sure as I mentioned above. It’s very Miami Vice right now with glass blocks and all, so yeah, that can be completely changed. My mom will not give up a bathtub, however. So she’ll probably do a freestanding one until she can’t any longer. She’s very stubborn. Not sure if you are referring to the primary closet on the right side of the house as tiny, or you’re looking at the one in the hall on the left of the house (that is small). As for the empty space in the one you circled, that’s my inability to figure out how to draw a closet into this floor plan so apologies! I do think there’s some empty space there but not to the extent I have it in this sketch. Patricial Colwell: Yes, that front room will be a guest room and my mom was wondering if there is a way to make it accessible from both bedrooms on that side (like a faux Jack and Jill). Or if that didn’t work, she was also thinking she would ask about having an entry to that hall off the foyer instead of at the end of the entry because she doesn’t like seeing the bedroom when you come in. Those are definitely some of the questions she has when we get professional help out there in person. As for the primary closet, not sure where another entrance would go but we can definitely ask about that. Thank you for the suggestion. And you mentioned you needed more information and I am happy to give it; I just don’t know what to offer in order to help. I guess I was trying to keep my original post as short as possible because I didn’t want to bore you guys to death. But I certainly can offer more info if someone gives me an idea of what kind of info would help. Decoenthusiaste: Yes, that hallway is really long and really dark, too, being on the side of the garage, so tightening it up is a great suggestion. Thank you. I am going to make a list of all of these things so we can bring them up in our meetings. Both shower and tub for now (see my mom comment above about tubs). And yes, they are redoing all of the plumbing in the house and they will be able to relocate things as needed. On the windows, are you talking about in the bedroom I assume? If so, yes, they do plan to change those up and also add a patio that connects all through the back of the house if they can (it’s a small lot which for practical purposes is great, but not so much for adding things). But that’s a good thought about access so thank you very much. That hadn’t even crossed my mind and it should have. Yes they have dogs (usually two at least) and a cat. :-) And on the laundry, I know my mom has been wondering if she could flip the laundry to where the powder bath is and have a door also through the primary closet, but the house is not that big so even if that didn’t work, it’s probably fine where it is now. Yvonne: You would think not! But they actually like having a big garage for some reason. I would have to check on city codes for the necessary garage sizes, etc., but we were told that there is probably some room on the right side they could take. Not sure about the left, but we’ll definitely inquire. Thank you! Again, thank you everyone. Really appreciate. Keep it coming if you will. We need all of the suggestions and help we can get at this point.