I’ve heard that it’s possible to replace just the laminate and keep the plywood underneath resulting in a much less expensive project than a complete tear out and replacement. Is there any way to know whether that would be possible short of having a countertop person come out to look? I know a person I plan to ask about it, but I don’t have access to the house right now to have them look and am curious about the difference in costs. And thanks for all the interest in the project! I would love to keep you all updated on it, and would also love feedback about other rooms. The living room is kind of a blank slate and I don’t want to use my current living room furniture, so I would especially love help with that. Unfortunately, I don’t have any pictures of that room except the one above of my kids laying on a carpeted floor. But I will be back asking for more help soon, I am sure!

Lol well then you are related to my pediatrician AND his famous father! He is wonderful. So stone for foundation can be cosmetic-the same way theybput it on the house, only on the concrete. Can you do the foundation, garage, and portico base, and chimney and hit the #? SMH at the misguided nonsense. I would absolutely fix the entry width-are you using a real architect or a draftsman? Or pre-made plans? I really wonder what's going on here. I am NOT an architect so this is just a concept based on quick observation of what is "off." in this photo white is stone, everything else is shingles roof or pillar. I don't know what the magnifying circle is I couldn't get rid of it. I love brown shingles with green windows. Black or brown windows would be nice too. On the pillars front and back, I would NOT do them as pointlesly wrapped in stone. Extend the stone from the foundation to make a low wall on which pillars can sit. Or do no stone there and use plain straight supports. I would want a few steps up if possible, in part to show off stone work, but I get that this is a retirement house. Another option (ask an architect!) is to bring stone to the roofline only. Shingles on dormers and gables. I'm pretty sure that this is an accepted spot to change facing material. Try to make sure any stone you do goes to the ground in an uninterrupted plane and doesn't have an indent at the foundation or show foundation. Keep in mind with any of this stuff that you are replicating something that used to be necessary to the structure of the home. All of the non-structural tell-tales ( like a concrete foundation with stone above it) will add up to a poor result.

Love the house. A definite yes to the squared up columns. There is so much garage door expanse (three car garage--fantastic!!) that I would maybe consider painting them or changing out to blend more with house. Landscaping refresh. Front door really does look fine, but if it's not in great condition and you're looking for a change, I would switch to one center door with sidelites. Congrats on your new home!

What a darling house! I'd play around with the color blocking and not assume the siding and garage door have to match. Maybe paint the garage door to match the brick, as in @celerygirl mock-up, and then decide what to do with the siding. A new front door and light, and maybe new more vertical railings. I agree the bench should be removed and some vertical planters added in that space.