I love having the weathered wood look tile floor in the kitchen. It is practical for me. The rest of the house (minus the bathrooms and basement) is wide plank pine, and impractical to run into a kitchen. I have this tile running perpendicular to the real wood (not weathered) in the house., which makes it look purposeful. It is a really good quality tile which did not cost all that much. Looking back a couple years ago, I understand (when I was researching for someone who wanted to us this himself in his own home) that the tile I selected was discontinued. (I do have additional slabs in case anything needs replacement - always order a bit more than you need so the tilers can cut as indicated...) It also helps me demark space in my home, as I am not really an "open space" aficionado - but am content with "semi-open". I bought my tile from a high quality supplier (South Cypress), and I did not pay an arm and a leg for the tile I chose. Edit: This is a log home, and the wide plank pine fits into the home ambiance wonderfully. I just didn't want a soft wood floor in the kitchen... but I wanted something hardy but wood-like. Being "weathered" meant I wasn't trying to "fool" anyone, but going with the nature of my home. Absolutely love it, and love the supplier I bought from. It also has some brownish sections, which keeps me out of that monochrome area of décor I personally dislike.

Hi Carmin! So nice to "meet" another fellow color addict! Sounds like you and I have very similar tastes. Your favorite colors are among mine as well, and I cannot live without a touch of turquoise in every room! I love the photos you've posted here -- OMG, those chairs are simply to die for! I've never seen anything like them, but now I want one! LOL! Love your artwork -- those exuberant colors just really put a smile on my face. (Oh, and you really have a 10-year old fish? WOW!) As for paint color suggestions, gosh, I'm not very good at offering specific ideas to others. My game plan thus far has been to just to go a paint store (Sherwin Williams or Lowes/Home Depot most often), and browse through the sample cards until I find something that appeals to me. It's kinda like I know it when I see it! I can see how you might feel intimidated about doing a color wash or similar aging technique, but definitely practice on your boards. I found it pretty easy (and actually fun) when I did it in my breakfast room and bathroom, but I'm not a perfectionist and I'm sure it would show to a professional! I'd love it if you'd post more pics of your home. I adore older houses, and I'm sure yours just oozes charm! I'm also going to check out the blog you mentioned. And it just so happens that I do have my own "color blog" -- actually I started it intending to talk mostly about color and decor, but I've found that I just enjoy writing about other things that come to mind as well, so it's a mishmash. Ya know, with your lovely things and your eye for color, you should consider blogging too. It's addictive! ;-) Here is a link that might be useful: Technicolor Cottage - my blog

A "high end" rental means HIGH END clients. The type that can handle $5K per month or more. If your unit is truly "high end" then you want to stay away from some of the lower-level man made stuff. The "go to" options for high-end: 1. Marble 2. Stone of any sort (travertine is a favourite) 3. Porcelain tile Solid Wood (or very high end engineered wood for specific climates) Cork (luxury flooring for very specific clientele) After the "big boys" of flooring, you start moving down into "mid-grade" working professionals who can afford a nice place to live but not "the best" place to live. They do NOT have $5K or more per month for a rental unit. Maybe $2-$3K at most. This would then move you into engineered hardwood, high-end LVP, floating linoleum, and some very attractive (expensive) laminates ($4.50/sf out of Europe). After that, you get into the "regular" rental market where you start playing with materials out of Home Depot, or mid-range flooring stores. Without knowing your audience, it is hard to direct you to an appropriate flooring material. I agree that your realtor will be able to help narrow down your options so that you set the right tone for your property.

Sorry, lglossner , but your sketch is way too symetrical and too many materials. I would stay true to the original design and keep the existing siding. Why waste money and add to the landfill? Same goes for the brick; no reason to replace with stone which is now a days is usually faux. Houzz has some great examples of lakehouses for inspiration. Put the ones you like in a Houzz ideabook with notes why and what you like or don't like. You can check out the ones I put together for myself. The point is, that these ideas you collect will be very helpful when you are working with an architect or designer. (I would not wing this without professional help.) Start with what speaks to you. This color would work with your brick.