Thanks so much! These are such great ideas! I think I am down to white to match the wall or walnut, but keep the wall piece against the rock. I would like to do a pocket door, but there is electric in the wall, so it could get pricey...although moving the electric might overall be cheaper with a pocket door than installing a barn door with the expensive hardware. The door was actually moved before I bought the house. In the pics above, it was where the clocks and chairs are. I do like it where it is now. There are two living rooms, so it makes it seem like the living room is an extension of the master, almost loft like, except with 8 ft. ceilings. :( robotropolis, I love those pics! Beatuiful homes! I guess I will need to see about a pocket door and how expensive it might be to move the electrical. Is that your bathroom? I love it! yillimuh, the interior doors are all birch, but stained to match the kitchen cabs., so they look walnut. They look nice against the wall paint colors. Pamplisest, I really like your ideas for the door jamb, if I remove the vertical drywall. kswl, thanks for the compliments! I will post more pics of the home...maybe you all can give me some design ideas! I think this is more complicated than I thought. Perhaps I should wait until I finish the house to install the door. I was thinking this is one thing I can do now. But the house still needs a lot of work, plus tile (almost 4000 sq. ft. of it) plus a possible master addition (since there's not enough room to do what I want). Because of this, I was thinking to wait and do everything at once in 1-2 yrs., but go ahead and do the door and window coverings now.

Of course it does! Don't quit! Lets just focus on a main color...now what color do you want it to be? Most colors go with gray. So you just have your brick to deal with. So (for me only) that would mean no pink tones. Show a couple of expensive rugs that you love...we can probably help you find a good dupe, or at least one that "feels" similar...

Spencer, I understand the want for MCM. (Trust me, I have it too!). What everyone else is saying I have to agree with. Don't shoot for a full transformation, it just won't be right. That being said, I do think there are some things you can do that borrow from the MCM line of thinking, that won't necessarily make it look like an MCM, but would clean it up and give you some of those design cues. For me the key would be stripping back anything that looks dated or ornate. Regarding the exterior the first two things that immediately jump out at me are to get rid of that storm door, and get rid of the vines. You could replace the door itself, too, but I wouldn't go with something so contemporary that it's polarizing to the rest of the house. You could paint it an interesting color, though. Tone back the landscaping. Consider updating the shutters to something less cottag-y. The big shrubs up against the house make it look small. Get some landscaping that's more minimal, and utilize the rest of your yard space. Inside the house, think simple squared-off unadorned trim for doors and baseboard. No wainscoting, no crown moulding, etc. Hardwood floors of a light natural color, and other natural materials like stone, combined with a light and bright paint scheme. And accent with modern or MCM furniture and art. I have a 1941 post-war Craftsman 1.5 story and I love all things MCM. The approach I've been taking is similar to that of the above. Not trying to change what the house is, but just little details. Details can go a long way. Using my own house as an example (which is a work in progress!), to give you an example I started out with this hideous door and outdated light fixtures / address numbers: Forgive the landscaping. I actually do have gardens... these pics were taken in early spring before stuff started growing. Anyways, some clean light fixtures, modern address, and classic 6-lite craftsman door in a pleasing color go a long way (in my opinion). This is a photoshop but you get the idea: I also replaced the front walk that was old and beat up. I think a nice sidewalk or entry path would help your place, too. Inside I've restored oak flooring, painted everything white, and replaced all baseboard and door casing with a minimalistic style (still working on this). Not trying to toot my own horn, but just giving some ideas on what a "modern" cottage or craftsman could look like thats not too modern, since we seem to have similar style houses and goals. I'll hopefully be sprinkling in some more true classic MCM furniture (chairs in particular) as money allows.

Hi! looking for ideas on house number placement. Current landscaping is being completely removed and we will replaxe with minimal and mostly ground level, succulents, etc. I'm thinking large modern numbers placed vertically. Either on the wall Ive marked in red or somehow attached to the stone? Would love some ideas. Gate needs to stay for security reasons. Hanging light is being replaced. Provide light ideas if you have and front door is being refinised and stained, not painted. House is being painted now and will post pics soon. Thank You!