awm, thank you! Our house isn't Architectually Important or anything, but I really love it. And I totally agree about split-levels. They get a bad rap, but when they're done right, they're very interesting. I'm so thankful that the previous owners did such a nice job on the addition - it really works with the flow of the house in a very seamless way. Although the cosmetic details aren't my thing, the overall flow really enhances the house. So it sounds like the consensus is to not do flagstone in the breakfast room, and to use the same flooring in the LR/DR, kitchen, entry and breakfast room - perhaps with the exception of a stone area in the entry. Any votes for trying to recreate the original flooring in the kitchen and entry - a mosaic tile? These are the original tiles that I've dug out from under the edges of the existing flooring. (yes, I go on "fact-finding" missions in my own house. I think of it as domestic archaeology!): To be clear - I wouldn't do the same colors - I'd use a mosaic tile but in a different colorway. I'm pretty sure I don't want to do this, but the purist in me thinks it could be interesting. Thoughts? Too weird? Too impractical?

Where are you located? There are places that are dry enough to make having a gravel yard practical, but if you live somewhere with a more average amount of rainfall, you will need to use an application of weedkiller at least a couple of times a year or get a flame weeder. A flame weeder could be an issue if it is underlain with weed fabric which might melt. The other issue is that gravel + kids can be an problem (so tempting to throw), depending on your kids. I like the gray tones for the house so much more than the current brown. I would remove the shrub at the base of the stairs and replace it with a low-growing flowering plant. I would want to break up the expanse of the side of the stairs with evergreen shrubs and face them with some lower flowering plants. Choose your shrubs so that the ultimate size can be kept below the level of the stairs. I would want something bright to bring attention to your raised front door, either the door color or if there is space, a large, low flower container planted with bright flowers or foliage. Don't do anything to hide that gorgeous railing! Most houses of this time period have walkways are too narrow, so if there are funds and the walkway isn't at least 4'-5' wide, widen it. A lower cost way to widen it is to add a band of a contrasting color pavers that are 8"-12" wide on each side, and a full replacement would be more expensive. The more generous walkway, along with the more visible bottom of the steps from removing the current shrub, and a generous landing at the base of the steps will make the entry more welcoming. I like the way the fence breaks up the expanse of gravel, but the dissonance between the roof line and the line created by the top of the fence is a bit disconcerting.

So things are coming along nicely, but not without complications. I was going to go with breaking up the visible part of the columns (below the fascia) into equal sections but then one of the channels would go right through my sconce lights on the sides of my garage doors. So I made the sections a little larger to give me some space between the top channels and the electric boxes for the sconce lights. One issue is that the house is old and so the fascia isn't perfectly straight/level. So the space between the top channel and fascia isn't the same on every column. My installer made the executive decision to keep the channels at the same level rather than shifting them up/down based on the level of the fascia. So far I don't think it's noticeable. But I'd still like to give myself some more breathing room for the sconces. At the garage I'd like to put the top channels about an inch higher than they are on the columns. Do you think that would be obvious? There's at least ten feet between the garage and the nearest column. Here's a photo from before. I haven't started looking for sconces but I feel my options will be very limited with tight spacing. An extra inch or so probably gives me a lot more options.

The look of the little table works with the space. A pair of comfortable wood chairs with separate cushions you can change out is all you really need unless you're spending a lot of time sitting in them -- on the computer or visiting with a friend ... then you might want chairs with more upholstery and more cushion comfort. If you're choosing the plain wood chairs, make sure the wood back is made of the wider flat boards that are curved ( rather than vertical round dowels ). Have had both and the flat curved boards will be a lot more comfortable. I like the high back for extended sitting and these kinds of seats are comfortable and easily covered when need to be changed. You need to scroll over the page left of the wording to get the chairs to appear with this link: https://www.amishoriginals.com/shop/shaker-ladder-11320/ Or you might consider a pair of saddle stools for the table and bar. Do sit in whatever you are considering buying. https://www.google.com/search?q=wide+scooped+wood+saddle+stools&client=firefox-b-1-d&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiC1Jj276btAhURqlkKHfRlD9kQ_AUoAnoECAYQBA&biw=1366&bih=654 Or you might consider a pair of saddle stools for the table and/or bar. Do sit in whatever you are considering buying. https://www.google.com/search?q=wide+scooped+wood+saddle+stools&client=firefox-b-1-d&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiC1Jj276btAhURqlkKHfRlD9kQ_AUoAnoECAYQBA&biw=1366&bih=654 Like your art and the splash of bright colors. A large framed vertical poster on the wall (no wider than your bar/countertop) would work left of the tv across from the bar/countertop if you have a special interest you want represented in the room -- some place or pastime or hobby or team you support. Like the idea of the "window": https://www.zazzle.com/fake_window_poster-228195308274074493?rf=238840279726397180&tc=EAIaIQobChMI6uzEn_mm7QIVgrKGCh0u0gGnEAQYBSABEgJ2aPD_BwE&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=us_shopping&utm_term=z228195308274074493&ca_chid=2001810&ca_source=gaw&ca_ace=&ca_nw=g&ca_dev=c&ca_pl=&ca_pos=&ca_cid=303811431291&ca_agid=59506835414&ca_caid=1600127652&ca_adid=303811431291&ca_kwt=&ca_mt=&ca_fid=&ca_tid=aud-540000688047:pla-940848662132&ca_lp=9011011&ca_li=&ca_devm=&ca_plt=&gclsrc=aw.ds&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI6uzEn_mm7QIVgrKGCh0u0gGnEAQYBSABEgJ2aPD_BwE