Make your children do the demo as penance.

Really need more input from you - your style, what else is going on in the cottage's other rooms, etc. Also, I'm not seeing red brick -where is it? It can be painted

HI -- Well despite the circumstances ,I see an opportunity here for a new start . I would have T&G cedar/wood put on the ceiling that has a slight white/grey stain wash on it with some dark wood beams . and all -white interiors . I think a color scheme of whites and creams and greys with natural woods and stone . If you do the floors with in floor heating then you could have stone or wood or tiles that look like slate or stone. Unfortunately family cottages tend to end up looking like a hodge - podge mixture of old furniture no one wants in their homes They are a place where old furniture goes to die . Make a plan to change the floor plan or anything that you had a dislike for etc. ....Houseandhome.com is a great web site for ideas and home and cottage tours and product information . One of my favorites such as Houzz is.