Have you moved in yet? The first thing to do, before moving in, is to remove the popcorn ceilings. I would live with the kitchen for a while to see if you really do like the layout. Your best prep space is the tiny bit between sink and stove. You might find that you need to reconfigure.

Good luck!

Junco, yes! I promised my husband I would paint over the ivy (or remove it if it is a decal) and I have been looking murderously at the glittery popcorn. Thankfully, it is only inside the two trays, so it should not be a terrible project. I really like your suggestion about the layout. Now that I think about it, the kitchen that I had years ago with a similar layout actually had the stove where the fridge is now, so there was a good-sized space between the fridge and stove. Thanks!

Becky, Farah Fawcett hair was a Sharp and apt insight; well played.

Becky you are awesome! I can use the sheers in the bedroom instead of hideous vertical blinds :)

The steep pitch of the roof reminds me of homes in ski country, so scaled-back lodge sounds to me like it would work.

I think if I had that kitchen, I would want to change the layout. The lack of space between the range and sink is one problem. The other is that having the sink on the angle means you can't easily stand in front of the sink and open the DW (I'm assuming there's a dishwasher past the bend to the left of the sink).

I agree with junco -- live with the kitchen as long as you can to figure out how it works best and what you would change, including whether the cupboards are worth saving and how much life the appliances have left.

I'd also go through at least several seasons in the house to see what the light is like in the living room. I think rustic and scaled-back lodge would be perfect for the living room with the beam and all of the trees outside.

I like ceiling fans but am not a big fan of fans with lights. I'd pick fan or ceiling fixture. For the living room, I don't know what your budget is, but Currey & Co. has a couple of chandeliers that would look great in that room, the Nottaway or the Saxon (I was horrified by the price of Currey chandeliers until I realized how much Livex chandeliers cost at Lowes -- ie not too much less).

Your bedroom will be lovely with a new fan or ceiling fixture, some paint, the sheers on the window, and maybe some more art on the walls and a rug layered over the carpet.

If you plan on getting new appliances, consider a counter depth refrigerator.

Beckysharp, I love you guys.

We are both pretty avid DIYers...I did this by myself for about $1000...

Kate, that looks terrific! Since you know what you're doing, you can easily do a budget facelift to get rid of the crazy-making ivy, while you wait for a more major overhaul.

When it comes time to work on the kitchen, I highly recommend the Kitchen forum -- there are some real geniuses over there.

Flopsycat! Non-flush appliances kill me. The fridge (a huge Kitchenaid) backs up to the garage, so I could bump it out.

No to those curtains, too heavy and not lodge at all. I think the straight lines in the body of the house, windows, tray ceilings etc. lend it to a more modern lodge look. Do you need curtains on that window for pivacy? New light fixtures and paint will go along way then you can start shopping for those perfect modern lodge accents to pair with some of your exsisting furniture. In the kitchen you might paint and add black crown molding and then glaze the cabinets with black on the edges and inset areas. Maybe even add stone to the back of the penninsula and some rustic stools. Congrats on your new home!

Casals, thanks! I am going to be there Tuesday so I will check that out. I am left handed so if the DW is there it might actually be a plus as long as I can get in there!

Monwheels I love those pics! That yellow is awesome! I love the kitchen pic! No, I don’t think a curtain is necessary...is it ok to leave the window bare?

Absolutely you can leave the window bare. I was looking at the, saving just the drapes panel suggestion and was noticing the widow is not as wide as the transom above. If you took another suggestion here and hung just panels either side of the window in a way that does not block them at all when open you could make the window seem as wide as the transom, keeps some bling on the window and it would not look 'undressed'. Nothing is fine...but then you need to really amp up the other decor in the room so it doesn't look incomplete.

Yes, lose those curtains! It looks like a beautiful window to be able to have the view highlighted, like in the pics rnonwheels posted. None of those windows look "bare" or undressed. You barely notice them, you see what's beyond them.

If you don't need the privacy, then I'd not dress the bedroom window either, but that makes some people uncomfortable. I love waking up and looking outside. I have a large walk in closet where I can dress, out of the view of my uncovered windows, which works for me.

I'd definitely replace the bedroom fan/light. Do you live somewhere you'll need the fan? If not, I'd just put a light there.

Looks like a wonderful house. Congratulations on your new home!

Some rooms/windows "need" curtains for privacy or light/glare concerns. Other rooms/windows, depending on their architecture and furnishings, "need" curtains to look finished. Other rooms have such gorgeous windows, views, and/or millwork that they don't need anything extra. Since you have curtains that fit the living room windows and you're not quite sure yet (and you shouldn't be, without having lived in the house) about your plans for the room, I'd leave the curtains up for a bit and see what you think. You can always take them down later.

One problem is that usually curtains are used to cover up a window, even during the day. If you hang your curtains rod properly, to extend well beyond the edges of the window, when the curtains are open, they should sit beyond the edges of window and not cover up the windows or the casing (aka stack back). This makes the most of the view and the light, and can make smaller windows look bigger,

https://fredgonsowskigardenhome.com/2011/05/03/the-right-way-to-hang-curtains-and-drapes/

I love beautiful curtains and if you have good (vs awkward) window placement, I think they're a wonderful way to add color, texture, and pattern, to a room. They can be a great finishing touch, like the perfect pair of earrings or necklace to finish off an outfit : ) .