DM, I tried everything I could think of to embed your photos here and nothing worked. Sorry. Snapfish doesn't seem to be set up to posted photos on forums. Too bad. Do you have a photobucket account? They are very easy to use and you can even share clickable thumbnails. They seem to have every kind of code you'd need to post anywhere that I've ever wanted to post to. As for you entry. I love the table! That is one gorgeous piece. It seems to have been made for your home. The table runner is awesome too, but it could limit you on art selection. Once you get a large piece of art on the wall I don't think the lack of wall color will matter. This way, as you both want, the features of your home along with the decor, will be the show piece. You won't need color on the walls to "make" the room. As for wall art, what about making your own? I know you don't like to paint walls, but.....? There's so many other ideas for DIY art too. You say you thought about horizontal wood. Why not do it as "art" instead of the whole wall? I just bought a square coffee table for three ninety nine at a local thrift store and if Restore a Finish does it's trick, I might just use the top for art. This picture is really terrible, but it has burled and parquet wood veneer. Check thrift stores for large works or art or mirrors with or with great frames. If you don't like the art just use the frame. My brain is slowing down. I need food. Good luck! It's good to "see" you again.

Ideally, it would be great to live in the house a while but what you can't see from my pictures is that everything in the house is dated and in need of an upgrade (the raised flower wallpaper may actually cause blindness). Also, certain things don't work at all like the jack and jill being so narrow an adult can't pass through the doors with square shoulders, the kitchen sink is way outside the work triangle, and a shower head in the master that is upper chest height on my husband. :) I definitely don't want to go to the expense of changing the finishes without addressing the structural issues. Also, this isn't exactly a williamsburg colonial, there are clearly lots of add ons already as the current owner is a builder but not the original owner. We have two kids under five and a more open plan on the main floor is extremely helpful for keeping track of everyone. We've been through renovations before and have a very good idea of what things cost and how renos go which is why we'd want to do this all before we move in. I like the idea of using the office as either a new entry from the garage or just expanding the foyer. Moving the powder room over to the left is a good idea too. The breakfast room is probably the nicest room in the house with the view of the backyard and a ton of light - we'd love to bump out the matching corner on the other side of the kitchen and give it the same feel because the covered porch there makes the dining room very dark and makes the kitchen a weird shape. We definitely need an architect and hopefully we can get one to come out before we have to make a decision.

No particular order, but stuff to ponder: - Heating and air working sufficiently in all rooms - especially the basement and the moved air return - Plumbing leaks - Crooked installed faucets - Fridge ice maker connection is correct - Flush the toilets a few times - Countertop seams are correct - All appliances are working - Exhaust fans work - Water pressuer in baths and laundry is sufficient - Know where your shut off valves are - Dryer correctly vented to the outside - Run a load of laundry to ensure all is well - No missing paint spots - All electrical outlets are working and they have covers - Under cabinet lighting is fine - Doors swing in the right direction - Windows open and close with ease - Ceiling cracks - ensure no drywall tape is visible - Cabinet shelving installed correctly - No issues with your installed kitchen backsplash - Kitchen sink is sealed to countertop - Plumbing fixtures caulked and sealed - Dishwasher installed correctly - run through a cycle - Hot is hot and cold is cold when you turn on the faucets. Best Wishes!

I've loved in a split foyer for 30 years; my Mom lived in a split foyer for 40 years. In both cases, the foyer extends out past the house, so doesn't eat up a lot of valuable space inside. If you plan to stay in your home for many years to come, remodel however you like. If you were planning to move in 2 years, resale would be a bigger consideration, but in your case, do whatever you want to the house to make YOU happy! We remodeled our kitchen 7 years ago, and while the improvement might help to sell the house, I have never opened my favorite new cabinet and thought "Oh, the next owner is going to love this!" I do, however, think on a daily basis how much *I* love it.