Safety Covers (the type that attach to recessed anchors and use springs) can be installed on virtually any pool shape and deck type. The down side of this type of cover is the time and effort to put it on and take it off. On average it will take a single person about 20-30 minutes and when you take it off you need to let it dry before storing it away. So obviously it's really designed for when you shut down the pool (assuming you even shut yours down at all) and not for daily use. The other type of cover I wouldn't really call a 'safety' cover per say but rather a retractable (either manual or automatic... but manual is... nuff said) that can provide enough support to allow people to stand on it... It's like walking across the biggest waterbed in the world though! These types of covers can certainly be installed if you are redoing the deck and coping around the pool at the same time but remember that the cover runs on tracks that need to be straight so it can be a challenge on a freeform pool to make it look good. To me the biggest downside to these covers however is the cost. The price range can vary A LOT and you may be left wondering why. It comes does to quality of the product. We sold a low cost system (automatic) for a couple of years and learned the lesson the hard way. Today we only sell a top of the line system and won't even consider the lower end ones because of the number of issues our customers had. Now since I'm up in Canada, the price range and available systems are probably quite different but we've been dealing with CoverStar.com for some years now with great success and virtually no issues.

Appreciating all of the advice, thank you! The home is hitting a lot of our boxes. We love the character and charm of older homes and this one has been very lovingly taken care of. Upstairs baths also need updating (pedestal sinks which wouldn't provide needed storage). This property is tucked away on a private drive on an almost 1 acre lot and has the most luxurious grounds/pavers/lanscaping with an in ground pool and pool house (not on our list but a total bonus and our kids heads might explode! ;) So we find it to be uniquely situated and offering the kind of privacy we are looking for while still in town. We sold our similarly sized 1988 house on a cul de sac in a development with the intention of subdividing rural acreage nearby (10 minutes away) and constructing our "farmhouse/craftsman" style home on 20 acres. Fast forward 1 year later and we are still waiting on final subdivision approvals from DEP and then again from the township and we are circling back to take another look at existing construction as we are getting disillusioned with the wait and the whole idea of developing rural acreage. The kitchen isn't our taste but is nicer than any kitchen we have ever had so it may make the most sense to just adapt to it and make it our own in whatever way possible.

I will not be needing a gimbal for the two new recessed lights. They will not be used to highlight anything on the wall. (see pic's below) I just need for lightening above the sofa because it is too dark in the seating area . Unfortunately I do not have the manufacturer's name, the design electrician never gave it to me (and it is so many years ago). My thing is that I just want it to look nice & not look awkward. If I can't get the same exact gold rim (naturally without the gimbal) then I feel I would have to go with a white rim or no rim recessed above the dark sofa area. My concern (I would appreciate your honest opinion) ... Do people mix them up like that? Have two different style recessed lightening in the same room? see the dark area where my verticals are (left of sofa). You can also see the gold gimbals recessed on the right. Thank you for your patience.

@svanflicka, I would definitely check around for other quotes. When my ex-husband and I built our new home, we had the enitire house painted for about that much and it was almost 3000 sq ft. I am sure we got a bargain as we found them through a friend. There are painters out there that are not with huge companies with overhead etc. I would really dig deep into finding someone from word of mouth or just investing on your own. Then meet with anyone you find an check references. I promise you that you can find someone to do the work for far less. I feel you will not be as happy as your working around something and giving into things (colors, counterops etc) that you do not love just bc of your trim etc. I would really take your time and think through it all. Spending all of that money and time, I would want you to be overjoyed with making the choices you want and not being made to just settle due to keeping and try to work with the trim color you have. I am not sure where you are in the process, but I would take a breather and really think this all out. In the long run it will worth it. Editting to add, you can always just slowly start with the trim in certain areas (like the kitchen) and take your time in painting it all. I know you will be happier. I have been in a similiar situation before and after all was said and done, I wanted to kick myself for not taking more time. Your spaces are going to be gorgeous! It sounds like we both have a very similar taste in design. Amy