As long as the indoor coil is changed to match whatever A/C you choose, you can keep the existing gas furnaces. And it might be a wise move to consider dual fuel. In many areas, especially a mild climate like yours, the payback is fast - especially with the big rebate. Spending $1000 to go from 13 SEER to 14 SEER probably won't pay back. And it would take a new variable speed indoor unit to get 15/16 SEER and the tax credit.

First I would like to thank suero, parma42 and especially organic smallhouse for responding to my questions. I have finally chosen this rug that organic smallhouse suggested. I am going to do a "Try It Out for Thirty Days" to see if I can live with the print. This is the one I chose: a href="http://s108.photobucket.com/albums/n13/ambitiousbeginner/?action=view&current=detailFamilyTmp.jpg" target="_blank"> suero..can you place the rug the way you did the other, I just want to see how it will look with the sofa. I have posted the picture of the family room again below. a href="http://s108.photobucket.com/albums/n13/ambitiousbeginner/?action=view&current=DSCN0155.jpg" target="_blank"> I want your opinion again :-) Thanks

I will be the first to admit (even though I have them) that arched doors are not in style:) However, warm toned cabinetry is returning to popularity and the white / gray trend has peaked - but by no means is over. Painting your cabinets will not change the fact the doors are ached, and your warm kitchen could become a bit sterile looking - granite, floor, backsplash, cabinets all light - and the black ovens will be more noticeable. Painted cabinets also require upkeep - you look like you have an active family. How easy will it be to keep those white cabinets clean and free from chips? Fir is a soft wood. It would be lovely refinished, but if you think it is too soft to withstand family life wear and tear, consider solid oak. As far as wood floor color tone, newer design pics are showing lighter, more natural wood floors. While the darker are lovely, they show every scratch and bit of dust while natural or lightly stained are more forgiving. I really like the kitchen floor you have. Since my cabinets are older and I like cottage style, French country, vintage, I decided to go with a more "old fashion" look - and I love old houses:) So I went with a less formal, more cottage style. It is a style that helps keep things from looking dated, because they look vintage instead. Here are some things I might do if this was my kitchen - but this my not be your style. If the small shelves on each side of the window can be removed, I would, or simplify the decor on them. The glass cabinet by the peninsula - I would do that with more decor - it could be a pretty set of dishes you don't often use or some other decor in your style. I like pretty - so often decorate with mismatched china, botanical / floral art and floral fabrics, vintage art - I guess I have a touch of shabby chic:) You might do a roman shade or faux roman shade on the kitchen window. There are some tutorials, including No-sew I think, online: I would simplify the dining room window treatment and add more art with color. It is hard to tell in pictures, but there seems to be a line around the top of the wall - perhaps some ceiling repair is in process? Fixing that will make you feel better too. A beadboard ceiling can cover an old ceiling nicely. My sink is the Kohler Whitehaven "short apron" style farm sink. It can be retrofitted, but doing so is expensive. The countertop is not lifted, but the face frame of the sink base cabinet is removed, and replaced after the retrofit. You could add a few pieces of cabinetry to the dining area - they could also help with storage. If you like a farmhouse / country / cottage style, a pie safe or similar is both functional and pretty.

The manufacturer is Harris. I think we might have a box or two left but we need to repair a water leak and used quite a bit of our reserve. I hated them from the beginning. They scratch very very easily and have a sheen that makes very tiny crumb visible. My husband went to the store where we got the flooring and they told him they can’t be refinished. Since the kitchen is the area that has the most damage we wanted have it ripped out and replaced with ceramic tile. Easier to clean and more functional. After reading ur comments I’m going to took for something completely different rather than trying to match up a wood like ceramic. As always ty for ur comments they really are much appreciated.