What a wonderful old place! There are probably a lot of things that need updating, including major systems such as HVAC, plumbing and electrical, so you might want to do a quick cosmetic update to the kitchen instead of a major re-do for now. You could paint out the kitchen in white, add an inexpensive prep island (made from 2-3 base cabinets and a butcher block top) and wait for the major re-working until you know that other things are up to code.

Thanks for the comment! Yes, we are going to look at heating system. Nothing but fireplaces in the house and wood stoves. Have to move a bathroom somewhere, it is off the kitchen :(. I think this used to be part of the dining room but the lady of the house got sick so they made her a bedroom/bathroom on that side of the house. It needs one upstairs too! Going to rebuild the porches this spring (hopefully) but am so anxious to do something. Was always my dream to redo an old home, and this one is huge!

First thing you see when you enter the front of the house is this beautiful staircase!

scene from top porch!

Living room...Paneling... but so much potential! Larger than shown. Go thru the door into the kitchen. Thinking open the doorway to see into the kitchen. Maybe paint the paneling, notice the boards on the bottom?....add fireplace to octagon shaped wall between sofa and chair to the right, hardwood floors.....still dreaming....

Wow, what a grand old home! And those views...I would live in a hut to look at that vista every day! I agree with the first comment...you have a lot of big, expensive projects ahead of you so I would paint the kitchen cabinets and wall paneling. Rather than do any big remodel. Something bright, maybe white cabinets and soft yellow or green walls. New cabinet hardware would add a fresh touch. I hope you will post more as time goes on, I would love to see the transformation. Good luck and enjoy!

This house is amazing, the outside reminds me of a certain Hitchcock movie with a motel up a hill ...too much wood inside though, you can paint it white if you decide not to remove it...staircase looks great. Post more pictures when done.

Thanks ya'll I will be posting more as we get some things done. Cutting some timber from the place right now so we can do some things. My husband needed the pastureland. This is a 65 acre farm.

It looks like you have already started some idea books. If budget is an issue, consider keeping plumbing and gas lines where they are - if they don't need to be updated and redone anyway. Look at kitchens on Houzz, This Old House, and Pinterest and you might enjoy following some blogs like Hooked on Houses, Housekaboodle, and Old House Dreams. This Old House features a remodelers contest - keep photos of your progress and consider entering and you can look current contestants projects too.

Another side of the house, which shows just how huge of a project this will be!

Hi Vicki. You guys have chosen a diamond in the rough. Its a grand home and potential show stopper. You will have your work cut out for you so I wanted to give you something to consider. Since you will have ongoing renovations you may want to consider doing your bedroom first. My husband and I have renovated one home and working on a second and both times we neglected our own bedroom leaving it last. You will be working hard or/and possibly living in a construction zone so I am sure you could benefit from having a sanctuary to enter at the end of a long days work. Consider yours and your husbands space 1st. Otherwise I agree with the others. Where you can, just make cosmetic changes like painting maybe update the fixtures but tackle the major items first. Good luck and would love to see pictures of your progress!

I see this post is 3 years old now, any chance the OP has an update to show us? I can only image the work you've gotten down by now!

So much potential here.. exterior color would be #1 on my list.. the wood throughout the hose, I actually love. Even the paneling, since it can be used as an "accent wall"