CKGM Wow - you must have thought I abandoned you! I was so busy at work(73 hours that week and I am salary :-( and didn't have access except via phone (I did have a mini comment above) I looked on my phone but somehow missed getting back to you on this lovely and inspirational kitchen. Loving it - I love your backsplash choice and grout now match very nicely with your counter. Your galley is going to be very functional - and you managed to build in a feature that I could not pull off - the little bar at the end of the kitchen with 2 stools. I am only allowing a few items on the counter - DH gets his coffee machine and grinder. We share the paper towels, and I have the banana holder and fruit/veggie double basket - unless I can find a better place for it - the pantry is too warm as the pipes go through the wall. When I finally post my pictures - we have more in common that just Grazia tile - we also have a garden window!! What is your wall color - it looks similar to ours!! And as you know, I am finally out of the ABB club!! A bit of a hijack Fun2learn - there are several places on the east coast that carry the Grazia tile - I did find it at Malsnee Tile near Reading PA (might have a Leesport address but essentially Reading) - Best Tile has numerous shops in the east coast but turned out to be cheaper to ship from Tile-Shop.com in California than from the East coast. I worked out a plan to have it delivered to the cabinet store, so shipping was much less.- I worked with Nelson (not TileShop.com) Nelson Chow Tileshop, Inc. 510-525-4312 Here is the info on Best Tile Laura Breindel Showroom Manager Best Tile Syracuse 315-437-1606 ext. 211 And Malsnee Tlle information- I worked with Rebecca and Jessica 1106 Stinson Drive Leesport, PA 19533 (610) 916-7621

It sounds like you're investing in a fairly substantial remodel to your home to dramatically change the materials and colors from the current cohesive (if dated) look. When you make such a dramatic change, you really need to have an overall understanding of how to bring things together so it looks like the cohesive space you're dreaming of. Some people have that skillset and others do not. If you do not feel confident that you can figure this all out yourself, I think it would be wise to hire a designer. It would be really sad if you invested a lot in a remodel only to have it turn out to lack the cohesion you desire.

what kind of budget are you talking?? remove the deck, redo siding, paint brick or stucco it, new windows less costly, you could Romabio the brick, they used it on this brick (which used to be red) get diff siding, remove the shutters, paint the garage door. whatever you do decide, the shutters should be removed. RIP. if you have extra money, turn that walkout deck into more sq footage. ignore the color and style, just look at the layout. similar to yours. see how the 'deck overhang' has been enclosed? Is that something you could do? or just remove it? See how they pushed it out and did wood siding? I like this one too or, just remove the wrap around deck and make a more contemporary look like this next pic: this is one of my favorite split remodels. composite wood slat siding is a thing now. bunch of other split ranch redos Two after pics where they kept the deck check out this '68 make over https://www.curbed.com/article/nick-rachel-cope-home-tour-hudson-ny.html https://www.jimenezphoto.com/split-level-house-remodel-before-and-after/

@pkpk23 @partim The pillars on the front entry and around the garage are also river rock, and its not really that uncommon in Craftsman Style homes. It‘s just not my preference and makes the house feel more like a cabin in the woods to me, while the rest of the house feels a bit more formal. We are also looking into tile. My husband, daughter and the decorator all think it‘s just a veneer and wouldn’t be all that difficult to replace. Hope theyre right!