Thanks bmorepanic. Exactly right, there is a spectrum of styles that would work which creates too many options. In the end, it's hard not to let price be the deciding factor. Why pay $25+ a sq/ft if it's no more inspiring than $7 a sq/ft really? The issue of where to start and stop the tile is another thing we can't resolve, especially because of that angled corner. Oh well, any strong opinions are welcomed because we're about ready to toss up our arms in defeat.

awm, thank you! Our house isn't Architectually Important or anything, but I really love it. And I totally agree about split-levels. They get a bad rap, but when they're done right, they're very interesting. I'm so thankful that the previous owners did such a nice job on the addition - it really works with the flow of the house in a very seamless way. Although the cosmetic details aren't my thing, the overall flow really enhances the house. So it sounds like the consensus is to not do flagstone in the breakfast room, and to use the same flooring in the LR/DR, kitchen, entry and breakfast room - perhaps with the exception of a stone area in the entry. Any votes for trying to recreate the original flooring in the kitchen and entry - a mosaic tile? These are the original tiles that I've dug out from under the edges of the existing flooring. (yes, I go on "fact-finding" missions in my own house. I think of it as domestic archaeology!): To be clear - I wouldn't do the same colors - I'd use a mosaic tile but in a different colorway. I'm pretty sure I don't want to do this, but the purist in me thinks it could be interesting. Thoughts? Too weird? Too impractical?

There are flexible pipes, both solid and with holes in them -- that can attach to the bottom of a downspout with a fitting designed for that purpose. A short solid pipe gets the water under ground and it can lead to a pop up fitting that enables the water to exit the pipe where you want https://www.bobvila.com/articles/pop-up-drain-emitter/ or the pipe with holes can be buried in a ditch of gravel so the water so the water is moved away from the foundation of house and disburses much as a septic tank drain line would and waters the lawn and/or exists where you need it to put the water. https://www.hgtv.com/design/outdoor-design/landscaping-and-hardscaping/how-to-build-a-french-drain If your yard were small, there are "Y" fittings to enable you to drain the water in two different directions. You tube vid: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rT6ZUWXsYgQ

That bow window is a significant challenge because the masonry follows the curve. I would remove the whole wall and replace with a huge window that follows the line of the roof. I also removed shutters and opened that front gable, replaced doors and garage doors with wood, replaced exterior sconces, enlarged the stoop and poured a walkway to the drive, painted the side door casing and downspouts to match the siding so they disappear. Sorry I didn't have time to find a better place for the garbage cans.