We did the ceilings first, and were glad because it is a very messy job. Then do the light fixtures you intend to install in the ceiling. When working on the bathrooms and kitchen, try very hard to stay witht he same footprint, keep appliances, sinks, etc where they are now, because if you shift them to another location in the room, that will cost you big time, not good if you're on a tight budget. Make sure the plumbing works and the roof does not leak. If there are problems on this kind, they obviously have to be fixed sooner rather than later. If the bathroom sinks and tubs and tile floor are in good condition, consider keeping them for a while, and dressing up the room with a nice color wall paint that blends well. Kitchen: consider refacing cabinets if in poor condition (cheaper than replacing); replace counter tops with formica (much cheaper than solid surface products, and they come in an endless variety of colors & styles; replace appliances with modern ones you like. If you have wood floors that need reconditioning, make sure you do that before you move in because you can't walk on them for a few days after they are refinished. Windows: I hope your window frames are okay because replacing windows & frames is a big, expensive and messy job and sometimes if not done right you have leak headaches. So try very hard to stay with your frames and just replace the sashes. Go to windows forum for tips on that. good luck in your adventure. try very hard to stay away from general contractors unless you have a very complicated sequence of things that need doing and do not have the time or skill to coordinate things yourself. get 2-3 or more estimates on everything that you want done, and ask around for recommendations from friends and neighbors. they can at least tell you the people you should stay away from.

My Mom's apartment isn't completely wheelchair accessible, but it is designed with Seniors in mind. All the wall outlets are 2 feet from the floor instead of 1 foot. One doesn't need to bend over so far, and they can be reached from a wheelchair. I wouldn't have thought of it.

Definitely keep it. I have spent time in two houses with mutliple fireplaces, including one in the kitchen, and in these houses, family home and great grandfather's summer house, the only fireplaces that actually got used were the ones in the kitchen. Raised hearth is a huge plus. It was my great grandfather's idea originally, and after using that kitchen for decades and using that fireplace ALL THE TIME when we were up at that house, my dad decided to put a fireplace in our kitchen when we rebuilt the family house. It's the only one we use.

The hearth is the main issue. Technically, you must have the hearth to meet code. It is a wood burning fireplace with a gas log installed. There is no code that says you can remove the hearth if you install a gas log into a wood burning fireplace. So I highly recommend against removing it because you will likely need to put it back if and when you sell your home. With that said, the way the hearth is built throws everything off. So how about taking what you have and working with it: Extend the hearth the entire width of the fireplace wall. Replace the mantel with a reclaimed wood beam that also spans the entire wall. Change out that fireplace door and have some new grills made to match. Get a nice potted plant. Now the fireplace does not give the illusion that it is taking shrinking the room, it becomes part of the room. Here's what you end up with: Shown above: Craftsman Fireplace Door in Forged Iron by: Hansen Wholesale