Yes, we use AC here from April through September. This year we even used it some in October. We will need to replace our electric heating system, also. The one we have now is resistance heat and we would go to a heat pump. There is no gas line to my house. Well that stinks. I would call the gas company to see if they have any plans to bring it to your area. At my last house we had electric heat which was a big turn off, we immediately changed it in the spring adding central air. We just replaced our gas furnace 2 weeks ago. The whole job was around $5,000. We called a few places, it was ranging up to $7,000. Be sure to look in the phone book to see if there are any coupons, also call the electric company to see what they offer. We priced cultured marble counters yesterday at Home Depot just to get an idea of price. For the master it would be about $300.00 plus the faucets. For Silestone, which we have in the kitchen, it would be about $600 to $700 plus the cost of two undermount sinks and two faucets. It might be worth it to get Silestone since it certainly is a more WOW look. Even in lower priced homes people like nice kitchens and baths. What do you think? We just did custom counters in the bath & kitchen, the price you got sounds good. Pretty sure it cost us about $3,000 total, we didn't get anything fancy.

I like a brick color with a grey stone. Around here that typically means granite for the stone since it is supplied locally, but a bluestone or a gray cement would work well. Just make sure that it works well color-wise with your red and gray pavers as well as with the house color. I would only use two masonry materials in such a small space, though if you want your fire pit to be a freestanding metal piece, I don’t think that will be a conflict.

Have you considered a larger more sheltered entryway? Do seriously consider putting a roof between the left (garage) wing of the house and the right wing of the house for a larger covered portico, and adding porch/portico lighting in the ceiling of the new portico/porch. As you extend the roof, put your support posts literally against the inner sides of the two wings of the house (rather than crowding the entryway with posts closer together). ... One option would be to extend the roof on the right wing of the house: https://willophx.com/home-tour/ ... Another option would be to create a hip roof portico (preferably without the double bulky posts) : https://www.georgiafrontporch.com/portfolio_category/hip-roof/#prettyPhoto[gallery2935]/0/ ... Another option would be to create a rounded front for a flat roof of the portico, https://in.pinterest.com/pin/490610953134023345/ ... with the rounded part front of the flat (or nearly flat) portico roof extending in front of the front exterior wall of the house so it shelters the rounded front steps. By making the roof top of the portico deeper between its upper part (roof/balcony) and its lower part (ceiling), (with or without a railing), you could bridge the distance between the height of the two roof lines.

Kaya the thing that turns Farmhouse or Modern Farmhouse into Industrial Farmhouse are components like heavier metals, metal trimmed out furniture with rivets, heavy beams, pulleys or industrial style wheels on furniture factory style light fixtures (your island pendents) etc. The term can be thought of this way. It is basically an old factory that is turned into housing but farm style added. If that makes sense. Exposed brick can be one, but this goes with several decor styles so I wouldnt want you to think , I love exposed brick that means I like industrial. I may not be describing this well so I googled definition and they say what I am but better LOL "Industrial farmhouse style combines comfortable and welcoming farmhouseatmosphere with the edgy, rugged lines of industrial style. Traditional industrial style is based on the concept of living in a factory or warehouse setting—picture a modernloft apartment in a big city." Some photos here rivets on hood, barn door, metal pendents, barstools, weathered island here exposed air ducts, island, lighting, windows and painted brick walls here metal and exposed beams, weathered brick wall, concrete island Here hood, weathered walls, heavy beamed island here weathered beams, metal trimmed weathered island, pendents, weathered flooring Hope this helps