Ah, you win some and you lose some. Especially here on the high plains where our altitude and lack of any large bodies of water to moderate temps often results in big temperature swings. Of course, the tulips and pansies will still do ok when the snow goes and we warm back up. The pears and redbuds will have their best color whacked. But, there's always next year!

Thanks carol!! I'm a fast reader & not everyone is so many get annoyed with my long texts. My fiancé the most- lol- it means a lot to have your help! I'll let u know when I post my projects. I'll prob post all at once to give an idea of where I'm at. Then, start with one project. I need a day or so to get it all together. Also, I can't stand to say but I have severe adult adhd & don't take meds for it bc I'm a recovering addict. I have to work with it, which will definitely show ( if it hasn't already- lol ) once I start posting my plans, wishes & projects. It is extremely hard, close to impossible for me to stick to one project & work only on it until it's finished bc then, my mind can't see the whole picture plus, my body won't allow it. It's a terrible character defect I have & challenging when I'm gardening but I do get things completed :) I'll prob name the thread *My Florida garden projects* or something Like that - your right , It does take time & is extremely rewarding :) I enjoy gardening & landscaping! I have no experience or background in it besides my own personal trial n error. I'm just a junkie that loves flowers! 18 mo in par helped me kick the habit & 6 years later gardening plays a big role in keeping me clean! My passion started w/1 thought. My thought was, how come everytime I buy a beautiful flowering plant, I kill it . This thought drove me to learn all I could ab gardening & started my passion. I've learned so much since then & still learning . I live, eat & breath gardening! Its exciting & rewarding. I learn something new everyday. It's a passion I keep close to my heart bc it helps keep me clean & humble on a daily basis & Im thankful for that

If you paint/sandblast, same color. If you limewash, white close to that. Have you ordered the front door already? The current surround/pediment is more Colonial Revival (and so pretty!) The blue door you are ordering leans more Craftsman, imo. If you want lights in the door, I would look for something more like this: Add a pretty door knocker, even a faux mail slot. New house numbers (if yours need replacing) and a larger lantern. I would fly a U.S. flag 365 for color since you have the flag pole holder between lower windows.

Chris, I did to my custom cabs exactly what you want to do. They were solid wood, great shape, but after 15 years I couldn't stand the overall dark feel. I had them refaced and everything painted. new countertops, vent hood, splash, window, everything. The company I hired to paint also deals w/refacing. for an additional 2K, I got all new doors, drawer fronts. (I prob have twice the cabs you do, including a 4X7 island) The new doors are all solid maple w/center panels made from MDF. when painting, MDF is a better choice for the panels than solid wood. To answer your questions about getting new doors that aren't painted, yes, they would then have to use a veneer material to skin your base cabinets so that they would match. something else you should change over is the lower doors to drawers. a good refinishing company can also do this for you. I had them make two large drawers in my island where open shelving used to be. so much better for storing large pans have you had any estimates? If going the painting route, make sure you get all of the steps they take in priming. if getting them refaced, those should come raw, so all they have to do is prime and paint. you can also get soft closing hinges. You're prob looking at well over 6-7K for just painting, and then whatever extra they charge for refacing. as for the gap to the ceiling, there are diff ways to tackle that. since your current cabs have a large wood edge (the part above your doors) , it might be difficult to add on boxes to that. you see how the doors immediately transition into the added boxes? You have that 3-4" of wood above your doors. what you might be able to do is get taller doors to cover that, remove the crown, and then build the boxes above that. or, you could add on a decorative molding or large crown This one might work for you. another poster on here had these, but notice how her doors almost touched her crown molding. They removed that Built boxes and then added doors. I believe she told me this cost her 2K to have that gap closed like this these are mine, before. I'm sure people thought I was crazy for changing it. I didn't care. I lived w/it for 15 years, the finish was wearing and I was tired of dark. notice my drawer/door design. see how the top drawers are slab and the others shaker style? This is why I refaced so they would all match. all of the fluted / rope trim and corbels were removed. micro was moved. vent hood made. drawers in island made. doors added to desk area. We did the window ourselves. new marble/quartz, lighting, flooring, appliances. I did Wrought Iron on my island, bright white on the others. there's a double pantry to the left you can't see. You say you don't want white, which is fine, there are plenty of other colors. Revere Pewter edgecomb gray Navy Kendall Charcoal This just gives you an idea. what is your budget? If you say 10K, that may get you countertops and new tile backsplash.