To me it looks strange to have two hanging lights so close - no matter what they looked like. I don't like the look of a hanging fixture in a window from the outside either. How about just a recessed light in the stair well? But I do have one question. Is there a full wall between the stair well and the entry hall or is a half wall or just a railing behind a skinny pole?

Thank you, thank you!! I will post some more photos later. Yes, exactly I'm trying to do some of the smaller items. We're replacing the kitchen faucet this weekend and some light fixtures. For the upstairs hallway, I already bought fixtures but again I'm not sure if they're the best - they are the drum kind (I got flush and semi flush to compare). We are also absolutely replacing outlets/covers - we did one in the kitchen so far when we installed the light fixture and it's amazing how much better it looks. And when I say 'we', I mean our friend because we are useless at this! For the kitchen, I'd love hardwood (we had it in our last house) - I just really always liked how it felt. However, of course again cost + we have a dog who was not kind on the last one so we'll see. I have to balance my anxiety over spending money with what's really important - I won't do this as quickly as I first envisioned. We were considering replacing all the doors upstairs (they previous owners recently redid one bathroom there and so it has a different door already). As far as paint color, I've typically always had 'color' but I'm open. If I'm doing the kitchen shoji white, I would probably prefer something a little more colorful elsewhere so the house doesn't look like one big off white place. I'm not skilled enough to make things pop with furnishings and etc...(plus don't want to have to buy more). At some point I will repaint all the bedrooms too, but down the line. One bedroom is currently named the Pepto Bismol room for its shade of paint. I try not to go in there :)

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I like staircase lighting to show in the window and without any clue as to your style it is impossible to suggest a perticulat light I will say that rug in the entry in no way works for function or to go with the door . Are you planning keeping the carpet ? IMO in anew to you house I usually suggest you leave most things alone for a bit until you get a feel for how the house functions for you and we need mor einfo about your style. It is also helpful to see a floor plan . From your idea books you are fixated on crystal chandeliers , which are pretty but can be overdone very quickly . For instance where is the DR in this house plan.?