I met with the coordinator today and had a tour of the facility. It's lovely. It's warm and cozy and has a real home-like feel about it. There are approximately 40 residents, and I met quite a few of them. One of the ladies asked the coordinator, "Where'd you find this pretty girl?" and that was so cute, as it's been ages since anyone's called me pretty or a girl! ;-) From the minute I walked in the door, folks were friendly. As I sat in the lobby and waited for the coordinator to meet me, a couple of ladies (residents) were sitting out there and they immediately started chatting with me. Just so very friendly, and obviously eager for someone NEW to talk to. There are numerous activities throughout each day, and I may be able to pop in some evenings but mostly my involvement will be on the weekends. Playing games with the residents, reading stories to them, or just taking them out into the beautiful garden courtyard on nice days so that they can get some fresh air. And talking. I'm sure there will be PLENTY of talking. The facility has a photo wall where they post pictures of residents fulfilling their "bucket list." Several of the ladies had always wanted to go to the theater, so there are photos of them dressed up at a production. One gentleman wanted to go fishing, and there's a photo of him kissing the fish he'd caught. One sweet little lady wanted to ride a motorcycle, but was too scared to get on the back of one, so they found one with a sidecar and she rode in that. As you can imagine, her photo was just beyond precious. This is a Level B facility, which was explained to me to be a facility in which the residents require SOME assistance but are generally mobile and able to feed themselves. One of the women who lives there has a little dog, and two of the men have cats. One is actually a kitten, and the receptionist told me how lonely he had been until he got this little cat, which now sleeps on his shoulders. I'm so looking forward to going back and getting involved. I felt I did pretty well today in stepping outside my own comfort zone and engaging with the residents, trying not to be self-conscious or shy. I'm pretty sure I even detected a streak of mischief in some of the women. This may be interesting! Certainly it will be a blessing to me, to be able to share some time with my new neighbors across the street.

How long have you been in the home? Generally, as with other major life events, you shouldn't make any major decisions for a year. Live in it, learn how it functions for you, see how the light changes things over the passing of seasons. You may learn to appreciate many of the things you now think need changing, ant others you haven't thought to change will demand it. Lack of color will probably be one of the major issues for you, but that is easily changed with the addition of pillows, throws, a new rug or drapes. This will also give you time to build a few ideabooks here on HOUZZ to help you get the exact direction you want to take sorted out.

I really like the fabric you have chosen for your curtains. Reminds me of a store we once had called Laura Ashley. -Well...I think you should find a gorgeous cream, thick white/eggshell and paint your kitchen walls this colour as it carries into you dining area (there is not visual break). It has to complement this area at the same time. All four walls in kitchen area white, so no accent wall. (Yes, this includes the wall we see that leads into the living room). -Go with that gorgeous darker of the two greens for your upper cabinets and white again for your lower cabinets. The standing cabinet surrounding the fridge can also be the same green, with your island remaining white OR be white, again with your island remaining white. Keep in mind your appliances are black. White ones would be best but another time. **When you paint your island white, keep the knobs black. This ties in with your curtain rod above the glass doors as well as your appliances. -Please, please buy the kit that allows you to get a granite look for countertops and apply to both cabinet and island countertops. -Since you will be in painting mode, I would recommend also painting out the living room the same white until you find a colour for it that allows the eyes to transition naturally from kitchen/dining to living room. It will feel like the Hamptons for a little while. My two cents worth.

Move in with what you have an live with it for a while until you see how you want the house to live. I'm not sure how anyone sit on the current position of the sofa and can view the TV Here is a layout for your room, and definitely select a rug that is much larger for this room. Maybe a classic style to anchor the room. Would really bring out the wood and stone http://rugs.rugstudio.com/newnav/Traditional-Shalom-Brothers https://www.overstock.com/Home-Garden/Handmade-Herat-Oriental-Persian-Hand-knotted-Tribal-1930s-Antique-Heriz-Wool-Rug-710-x-101/19420327/product.html?refccid=EYDKVHEPO5WZA7SJZRFZ2SDL6I&searchidx=107