I agree that I wouldn't put a lot $$ in this because the return won't be there. Pulling the paper down and a nice paint job plus a new light bar and maybe a new ceiling light (can't remember if you showed that) would really do wonders. It is a nice size and arrangement. On the shower surround, if you want to go that far to get rid of the brassy gold, go with another framed one to save money. They are much cheaper and they don't have the yuck traps in the doors anymore. You might be able to tape the one you have off and repaint it while you have the walls bare. You could always scrape the glass to get any paint off of it. There are some really nice metal finish paints out there that could update it. An oil rubbed bronze would be great but then you would need to change out the faucets. You can also paint your cabinet hardware! Just attach the knobs to a large piece of cardboard and spray paint. I would not go to the expense of a frameless shower door. Many don't like them.

joanie b, thanks for the link to the kitchen like ours. It really did look nice. After reading people's thoughts (THANK YOU SO MUCH), thinking about the work to be done (while taking care of mom,) and money to be saved for the *real* remodel, we think we will probably refinish the cabinets. I think striping them (Thanks for the info on soygel, mom2lilenj) will be easiest in some ways. It will be a bit of a challenge to find handles since the existing ones are 3 1/2 ctc. We tried to do it years ago before the internet but could only find 3" centers. I figure we can even get anything with holes 3 inches apart as long as it projects far enough to cover the hole. Didn't think of that years ago. If we remove the hinges and put on hidden ones, I guess we will just have to use wood filler as close as possible to the color. The exposed hinges in the link from joanie b looked good though, so maybe we will do that. Less holes to fill too. Anyone have a better idea? Does anyone have a non-toxic top coat to suggest? We will do a test door to see about the color change, but I am hoping to not have to strip the cabinet boxes in the house, if possible. They are in pretty good shape. Less work and time, unless there is too noticeable a difference. We aren't sure about the counter yet. It is in decent condition and I think I could stand it for another 2 years. I can't wait to take down the wallpaper border to update the room, but I will miss what it says...'In everything, give thanks.' I hadn't thought about getting rid of the rack for the dishes and cookbooks, but I will try. There is a heating register behind it, so I can't block it with a hutch. That may have to wait, but I can neaten up the rack a bit if it stays. The reason I got it was to make my cabinets more usable since I am just under 5' tall. I had to get a stool every time I needed baking things from the SECOND shelf. What my kitchen really needs is built in step stools... LOL. What really needs to go is the sink, so maybe we will put in an inexpensive ss one to try out a large single bowl. I've always had a double, so that way I would now which I like better. I want a silgranite when the time comes. Thanks again for your help! Terri

Is your roofline that varied or is that just a wall atop/around a flat roof, with the wall different heights? If so, then You could change this home from Spanish to something more modern or contemporary, if you straighten that roofline, either by adding to it or removing part of it. You'd also need to change the color. You could paint it white -- and have a Mediterranean contemporary home (see decoenthusiaste pic above). By adding a flat roofed porch in front of the entry arch and the large windows on both sides of it -- changing the arch to be another rectangle -- and painting it gray, should give your home a more American modern vibe. If changing the roofline is in your budget and preference, adding that front porch with a forward facing gable atop it should give your home a more American contemporary vibe, Alternately, doing that and Facing the exterior with faux stone siding, leaving the porch timbers with a wood finish and painting the garage doors (metal?) with a paint that makes them appear to be wood could create a much more rustic vibe.

When I look at the picture of your your house from the street side I see several different and competing shapes: the garage door being the most jarring along with the 2 awnings over the upstairs windows. If the awnings were removed then the 2 upstairs windows with the nice curved brick line above would be more visible and match the one on the 1st floor which I believe would be more harmonious. Next, the garden on the driveway very much looks like an after thought and is taking up some of your very limited space and no doubt makes access awkward when getting out of the parked car. Save the plants and soil and maybe you could re cycle them to another spot. If you still want plantings along the front of the house I would suggest a more formal rectangular bed made of similar brick as the house. You could add a trellis for a climbing plant for more vertical interest if you made that choice. Moving along to the side of the house, the awning adds little to the house's design. It also likely provides little shelter from the weather. Perhaps a redesign of the porch with a roof, wider steps & walkway would help make the entry more welcoming and attractive. I would suggest an architect or designer for some help with that as a DIY fix may not be as pleasing to the eye. The picture of your house from the street with the tree in the foreground gives you an idea of how plantings can soften and enhance a home, so some help with plant choices and placements may be money well spent in the long run. Good luck with the project, your home has great bones and just needs a little adjustment or 2 to really make it even better.