This is amazing, sockpuppetpete! I am about to do this for a small kitchen in a 2 BR apartment. Do you have any suggestions about where I should start? I am very overwhelmed. I have heard many ppl on Houzz mention IKD and Traemand. Any advice would appreciated. Thank you so much.

Does the tile run all the way down a hallway? Or is it really just the landing area? If it runs all the way, then leave the tile at the bottom. If it is just a landing, then treat it as the rest of the landing. If you are worried that black is too dark, how about more of a weathered grey (but for all of it and not just the landings). FWIW, the black wouldn’t be that much darker than the tile or marble, so that may give you some sense of it. Also, i would definitely try to mimic the plank size of your existing floors.

Thank you to everyone's suggestions thus far! I really appreciate it. I agree with everyone that a good deal of landscaping in front is a must and would go a long way towards adding curb appeal to the front of the home. Beverly- what if I have the budget to change the entire level of the roof over the single story part of the home? I was thinking I could do a dramatic higher A-pitch style roof to add visual interest and also enable the addition of a long front porch? We just keep envisioning a french country exterior and we will do what we can (within reason- not going the entire value of the house) to get that look. Changing the roof line (to either an A pitch or a multiple "peak" look) would also give the appearance of a larger home and also allow us to raise the ceiling heights in the main living area of the home - i.e., opening up the entire kitchen and living room to each other as well). I did get an estimate to move the AC unit and it was around $1500 so not cost prohibitive for what we want to do.

Some suggestions... 1. I would extend the wood siding down to the ground in front and paint it black. This simplifies the facade and helps to make it feel more modern, and contrasts with the brick. It makes it feel crisp. 2. Either flatten the bay window or make it a box bay and extend the black aluminum surround to the bottom windows. This further simplifies the facade and brings in and architectural element. 3. Update the door with a more modern version to match the modern asthetic of the rest of the house. 4. Remove the shutters. They don't match the more MCM style of the house. 5. When it's time to replace the roof, go with black shingles. It will help with more contrast. 6. Landscape, landscape, landscape. Here is what it could look like...