these are the photos I tried to post with the previous comment

One of the best ways I've found to find an interior decorator or designer that you like is to talk with employees in furniture, fixture, tile or lighting stores you like to shop in. They often know of and work with designers and can give you good recommendations of people that may have your design sense. You should not be charged for an initial visit/interview. Remember: They want Your business. You should know in that visit if you like and trust them, their taste, etc. You then decide how much you want them to do with or for you. Do you like to shop alone and then have them help you whittle things down? Do you want someone to shop for you? If you are doing additions, it is a good idea to get an architect. They often have designers they like to work with - same as the contractor you end of hiring. It is a good idea if the main players like one another - otherwise you are setting yourself up for an evil game of the hot potato of blame (or not if you are lucky!). Have fun with it and give yourself time.

So many thoughts as to what you might do.
1) Caution: an accreditation or degree does not guarantee a remarkable outcome. You want a designer that has a gift / talent, an artist, a good communicator.
2) A designer worth their salt will guide you though the design process offering you solutions with cost associated. This can save you money in the long run and you will be more satisfied.
3) Do a whole house feasibility study, the entire plan if you were to do it all now and that way you won't do something now that effect negatively what you might want to do later.
4) Have fun. It's hard enough remodeling when all goes well and the last thing you want is to select someone that you can't have fun with.
5) If you plan to do a kitchen, start there, I specialize in kitchens but help my clients with whole house designs. Space planning is an art.
Best of luck,
William Roy

I have no information for you regarding designers...but must comment because it is such a BEAUTIFUL house....Perhaps my FAVORITE design period...I was intended to break away from the fussy, overindulgent Victorian Era and concentrate in function and simplicity while preserving beauty...It's all about lines and textures... the playing of light & shadows in the rooms...it wasn't a BEIGE era, though...it was SOFT...Soft Golds and muted vermilion...pale aquas and creams...sandstone and dusty rose...the materials were mixed...couches were leather and warmed with rich tapestries...We had just discover the "Orient" so novelties were fine porcelains and chrystals...CLOCKS were collection items...floors were warm woods and areas were cozied by big rugs...there were patterned linoleum and sturdy tables...I've seen exteriors in blues and greens, especially if they were shingled....If it were MINE....I'd put stone facing over the brick, maybe in grey or strip it down to its original state...I might consider copper shingles for the front gable....Paint it a soft color with a striking accent color...perhaps a new front door....Some urns and hanging plants on the porch...some heavy wicker for seating...Need some flowering shrubs and perhaps a pencil holly on the left, hydrangea on the right...flank the walk way with and interesting grass... LOVE the leaded and stained glass windows...not so much the benches by the hearth...I think they were added later...I'd consider painting all the ceiling beams or at least lightening them up...certainly age has caused them to darken and look heavy...Use tradition to guide placement of modern furnishings....Have it express YOU when you walk in the rooms...RELISH the light in it and do the kitchen very practical and modern with stainless...Morris would appreciate the modernness of them... Blessings for great success...Please post results... Here are a couple of links for inspiration..

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:4200GlenalbynDrive_LR.jpg

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Abernathy-Shaw_House_c.1908.jpg

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:The_Peacock_Room_-_The_Princess_from_the_Land_of_Porcelain.png

Nancy, I'm in San Diego, so am familiar with these fabulous homes, but I don't want your business.

Just writing to suggest you also check out all of Susan Susanka's books from the local library. Her "Not-so-big-house" series of books expresses very precisely what is so wonderful in bungalow / craftsman work. Ironwood is out of Monterey I think. Fenstermann is out of Newport, but there is probably a great source right there in nearby Ventura or definitely out of Santa Barbara.

Go to all the home tours this spring in SB for ideas. Do research first, when I did, I found this link to someone who knows the terrain well. http://www.noozhawk.com/article/031211_anthony_grumbine_craftsman_homes/ Someone at his firm might be your person -

What you might do is offer to pay an hourly fee for half a day and let them talk off the top of their head about what they see, and what they know, and what they would and wouldn't do. Of course, ask what their hourly fee is first! To maximize the use of their time, draw up a scaled floor plan and scan that along with photos that you send to them in advance of their arrival. They will have ideas on sight.

You may or may not want to sign up for services now, but might be willing to hire them full on when you are ready for an addition or a kitchen remodel, for instance. Most designers have to go to a meet and greet for free, so if you offer to pay for a walkthrough consultation where you want them to think outloud, you are likely to get a good response and it won't matter if you are going forward in phases. You will know if you like them or not, and they (if they take the gig) will be thrilled to see your original architecture and have an opportunity to make a long term client without going for free.

Your livingroom makes my heart go pity-pat!

Hi Nancy - Oh I love your house! Congrats!

Is there a local design magazine that showcases designers that are in your area? I agree with Kayron that friends & neighbors are going to be a great place to find someone. If there are neighborhood listservs or yahoo groups, send out an email or a post to the group asking for recommendations.

I never charge for the first meeting. Projects are long-term relationships - that first meeting is just as much about me reading the client/project as it is about you assessing me. Find someone you connect with and feel like you can communicate clearly with. Design should be fun, so find someone who can get the job done, but is pleasant to work with along the way!

Your house is lovely - I can't wait to see "After" pictures here on Houzz!

Also agree with Sandra! Make sure your designer puts you on a formal contract - and that the contract is very clear about what you are paying - hourly and what the terms are for purchasing.

As a designer I recommend looking on houzz, said website or just Google designers in your area. Check out their online portfolios and their profiles. Narrow it down to 3 and talk to them. A designer who wants your business should do an initial meeting free, or just call them on the phone. You want someone who listens and asks questions about you. You should feel comfortable with them and feel that they will be open and honest with you. Their style ornate style of most of their work is not necessarily as important. I love and can achieve manynsucessful styles for my clients from historic to modern, but of course it would be a plus if the person you choose has done a bungalow style house before. Definitely they should want to work with you on many phases of your home remotely and should advise you on wisest ways to dive it up. Like working on kitchen and bath at once if possible asait will be less expensive for the plumber. Lastly a designer should charge around $100 an hour, I am in Michigan so I get less here but I think that number should be relevant in .CA, much more than that and they are too much. They should charge a set fee per room or phase of each project and the per hour would be for extra advising not agreed on in a contract. An architect would be great if you removing walls etc. But the designer should coordinate furnishings, kitchen design etc. Unless you findan architect that specializes in interior design. A good designer will design for your lifestyle and add a lot of value in the details. Good luck and I hope you post lots of after pictures. P.S. I do think some credentials like benign licensed designer or have a degree or many years experience is very valuable, especially if you are doing kitchen, bath, and remodeling not just decoration.

There are 80 designers within 25 miles of you listed on Houzz:

http://www.houzz.com/professionals/s/Interior-Designers-&-Decorators/c/93033/d/25

Great looking home!

Hi Nancy, You have quite a gem of Craftsman architecture! I would be glad to have a phone conversation with you to learn more about your project. Most of my work is in the Bay Area where there are many of these types of houses. Since I am licensed in California, I work anywhere in the state. Staying with the original design is a matter of architectural vocabulary and interpreting modern living with those aesthetics. That is what I do best. Take a look at my profile and let me know if I can set a time to talk with you. I can at least get you a bit more familiar with the process and then we can see what might be best for you. Thank you, SCR

Love your home! You can always ask your municipality for recommendations. The local inspectors will know who does good work in your area. Interview a few different designers and find the one you mesh with the best. They should do free first time consultations. Set a budget and scope of work early on. Good luck!

Fist I am going to say this make sure you make a budget for yourself and stick to that budget you don't want to be paying for more than what you have. Second go to home depot and ask them for a blank commitment what that will do is help you to stay on your budget. You go and measure the areas that you want done then take that to home depot and they will help you to design it just the way you see it, make sure you stick to your plan and then you hire some one to do it for you this way your only playing them for labor work and you'll save money. Third sometimes Home Depot have deals on the kind of floors you want to get done or Tiles is that is what you want, buy by the bundle not by pieces, pieces cost more. Make sure you pay for everything you need this way you stay on budget. Fourth , you should buy just a little extra just in case and what ever you don't use you can always take it back to home depot they will take it back as long as you keep your receipt. You can always ask Home depot if they know of anybody they will defiantly steer you to the right people. Lowe"s does the same thing. Good Luck and God bless both of you. That's the advice I give to all my friends and they have saved money. most contractors don't like me because of this information I just gave you.

Nancy...I have one resource for you in SoCal, based on my past issues of American Bungalow Magazine (a great resource and back issue articles are available online for free) ...I am very much into the style and own many period pieces, furnishings and decorative objects....but not a purist....my style has been described as Bohemian-Eclectic. I am based in Sonoma County, north of San Francisco..Russian River...Wine Country. Old house work is a specialized endeavor. I started in historic restoration at the age of 17, clearing out ruined Victorians in the Riley-Lockerbie District of Indianapolis for three women..an interior designer, a realtor and a money manager. A good start.

I emphatically do not think that anyone recommended by a big box sales associate is up to the task of restoring or improving your living antique. Staying true to the house is not for the faint of heart or the skinny wallet (I know, I've done two with a lot of sweat equity). I have been impressed with Steven Corley Randel's breadth of knowledge and suggestions here. I think discussing the project with him would be a good first step.

...from American Bungalow magazine:

http://www.americanbungalow.com/

http://johnslaven.com/

Well first of all I would go on internet a search for local contractors and look at the projects they've already done. Once you find a bunch that suit your taste, call them and ask for a free quotation. Serious contractors will give you free quotes.
Then make sure that they have an architect as project manager, familiar with the procedures linked to historical houses, you want to know for sure what you can do and cannot do when renovating your house, not to find yourself in trouble with the local authorities.
At that point you'll have to trust your instinct, because with contractors even with the most reputable, it is a bit of a gamble, you will have to keep an eye on everything they do, anyway and you will have to be very vocal specially at the beginning on what are your likes and dislikes, your needs and priorities to be clear without any doubts on what it should be the house you want to live in. Remember YOU are going to live there not the architect, so he has to be the vehicle to make your life easier, to improve your ideas and make them beautiful and personal, to give you ideas you would never think of because you are not in this business, the architect have to put into practice the kind of life you would want for you and for your family. Good luck with everything and congratulation for your beautiful house.

patrizia34...so sorry you have had a hard time with contractors....but just like the rest of the population, we're usually honest, hardworking and fair. Thing is...we all do estimates for free..but not without a defined scope of work or set of plans. So having the architect on board first, if that professional is necessary (you don't need an architect if you are simply fixing what already exists). I recommend interviewing both an architect and a General Contractor to work together to design and value engineer a project. It is rarely done that way o a smaller project, but when talking of phases and long term restoration, that team may be able to put forth a cohesive plan that makes the best use of funds and schedules. Some issues are global..meaning they are throughout the house...like rewiring everything (I mean EVERYTHING!) some are more localized, like repainting the exterior. I look forward to seeing more posts as you move along this path! Best of luck!

I've never meant to say that contractors are generally not honest, I've just referred to communication difficulties, a house owner wanting to renovate has often difficulties to convey his/her ideas clearly to contractors because is not inform on technical issues or on how to put into practice ideas orthey have no maenning to know even if they are feasible and that can create problems. I wish you to never experience this kind of miscommunication, but from my personal experience or from the people I know, it is a very common. I live in Europe, in Italy and I imagine that things are different over here specially in regards of historical houses, the rules here are very strict and an architect dealing with all the much complicated bureaucracy of thing is necessary, because in regard of historical buildings here even the color for exerior needs authorities approval!!! Also the penalties for doing thing wrong are severe, so an architect responsable of the project is even a legal protection for the home onwers. Lucky you that have a choice and far more flexible rules. Good luck.

patrizia34...In historic districts here it is the same way! We have review boards to watch over the work and approve plans....most of the people sitting on the review board have no formal training and are just cranky and concerned!

I agree that communication and rapport are extremely important in the relationship between contractor and client. I rarely fail at it..but sometimes?

Oh dear!... same nightmare...well in Italy we say "All world is the same small town".

Take a trip to Pasadena & South Pas for a day, there is lots of inspiration there to take away ideas from 1 1/2 hour drive also Ojai a half hour away

Thank you again for al your comments and helpful suggestions. It sounds like we need to talk to an architect and an interior designer. Thankfully we plan on being here for the long term and so we don't need to rush. I do want to develop the long term plan pretty quickly so that we don't buy anything that we won't need or want in the future.

Ironwood and libradesigneye, thank you for the suggested resources.

Love the new place , you can go with a home stager and redesigner they can also help you not only for selling home but also for living and staying . look up www.stagingtraining.com press states and California and then you can choose who you want to come out to your home .

You stated in original post you were remodeling the two most important rooms your home. The kitchen and bath. I humbly suggest you interview a kitchen and bath designer. Having designed and executed up to 200 kitchens a year (plus baths) for the past couple decades I would suggest that they will have more experience at delivering a remarkable kitchen, etc. Most architects design entire homes and thus few kitchens and If I don't do the interior design with my clients I recommend they bring in one to pick the dozens of different colors, textures and finishes. Best to you........

Thanks. Sounds like there are lots of options on which way to proceed

Update... We've been in our house for just over a month. Thankfully most everything is unpacked and thankfully most of our furniture fits in terms of color. Size and style are another story.
The big news is that we will meet with our architect (connected through Houzz!). He is going to work on a master plan to: redo current bathroom and kitchen; add another bathroom, laundry room closet, and a small den. This will involve tearing down the sunroom (room w/ black and white floor).
Meanwhile I am having trouble deciding what to work on. I started a project in the bedroom and the front porch and then noticed how filthy the pergola in the backyard was and started cleaning that! And I really want to remove the carpet and wallpaper in the living and dining rooms.I think I have house ADD.
Anyway, today I finished my front porch. I took an old gray and peeling patio set and reprinted it a nice red bought some cushions then found a cute bench for the other side of the porch and put some flowers in existing pots. Photos are attached. All for less than $200 which is good because we need to save very penny for the remodel. The only thing I am not too sure about are the ficus trees. Should I keep them or sell them at my yard sell next week?

Keep them! The red is darling with the old stairs, and now you are set for summer to get to know your neighbors, and sit outside in the warm evenings with ice tea.

I agree, it is best to keep them for now especially if you have a limited budget. You have your garden furniture to enjoy the summer so for now live them there, they seem to be in good condition, they fit in size and the style don't particularly clash with the porch. You can always change them in future as you wish them to be. I wouldn't rush, changing everything all at once, the beauty of renovating our home is that it is an ongoing process, you do most of the house at the beginning to make it functional and presentable, but leave all the settle changes and addition to later, to personalize your home here and there, bit by bit .

We have decided that the addition, or tear Dow of the sunroom and rebuild is a higher priority than the kitchen remodel so we will tackle this first. The current heat wave has confirmed this decision because the sunroom is hot (a wall of windows and none open for air). The whole house will stay cooler without a big "furnace" in the back.

I have not done anything yet in the front of the house but have ideas and am not sure about the order they should be done.
-Get rid of the carpet (right now it's on Craigslist with no takers, may turn into smaller rugs and then try to sell).
-Remove the grass paper on the walls and paint a sage color.
-Refinish all the wood- there are scratches, especially near the door. Someone once had a big dog. The finish is very glossy in some areas and flat in others. Shouldn't it be consistent?
-Remove the shutters and replace with sheers (white). Do any of you watch Boardwalk Empire? I want to put sheers below the leaded glass like they do in Chalky White's house. The shutters also need to be refinished so I thought I could practice on the then carefully store them for the day we might want to put them back up.

What do you all think of this plan? What is the best order of work? I think it will take me most of a year to accomplish but that's ok. I can start in late August.

Meanwhile I am also looking to slowly buy furniture that will fit better (ours is the right color but way too big). Anyway I saw these chairs at a consignment store and wonder what you think. They are $125 each. I was thinking both in front of the window, opposite the couch. Or one as an accent chair near the built in secretary. The big bulky red chair has been moved out. Should I buy them? Or wait for something else? I have to put the chairs in a separate post as the photo is on my phone.

Yes or no?

Wow, what a great house! Congrats and so glad to hear you want to preserve it. Like the red chairs--need pics to see living room. Not Arts and Crafts, but I think it is OK to mix things up a bit, and they have sort of a retro vibe.

Some great resources for bungalows:

Bungalow Colors--fantastic book well worth the investment
http://www.amazon.com/gp/search?index=books&linkCode=qs&keywords=1586851306
Archive of Bungalow articles--same author, fantastic resource-- http://www.historichousecolors.com/Publications.html
Bungalow Kitchens--excellent even if you don't do that style. That huge hood over the range is characteristic of the period--might be worth keeping. I would consider changing the orientation of the stove though. The kitchen is a challenge because it is so narrow.
http://www.amazon.com/Bungalow-Kitchens-Jane-Powell/dp/0879059508/ref=pd_sim_b_13

Arts and Crafts Homes--loads of information for both old and new A&C homes http://artsandcraftshomes.com/
Antique Home Style--loads of plans from the period and info on period kitchens and bathrooms
http://www.antiquehome.org/
Arts and Crafts Society- - http://www.arts-crafts.com/archive/achomes/color-schemes.shtml

Didn't know these were called Temple-front Bungalows, a subset of gable-front bungalows. Can see why--very impressive. Please keep as much as the original, including siding, doors and windows, as you can, and I would look into whether you qualify for tax credits. You can do an addition on the rear or side and still get tax credits for other structural or mechanical systems work, but not for stuff like flooring, plaster, additions, etc... Worth looking into--you need preliminary review before starting work to make sure you qualify.

Window replacement can be an automatic disqualification, and not worth the money in the long term. Old windows can be made almost as energy efficient as new and last a lot longer. John Leek is an expert on this: http://www.historichomeworks.com/hhw/reports/reports.htm and http://www.oldewindowrestorer.com/steamstripper.html

Of course Old House Journal and This Old House are great resources too. I esp. like Old House Journal for how to advice and some of the fine homebuilding magazines are good too. It helps to know how and why things were done the way they were and how to fix them, even if you don't do the work yourself.

Here are a few of your cousins:

Red chairs are great!

We can provide you with 2D or 3D conceptual drawings . They can guide you in the right direction.

The first picture is the before , Houzz member want rustic Tuscan kitchen.

It's the second picture.

Agree with libradesigneye to get the book Not so big house. I can see the wood lightened to a beautiful warm honey blond like the craftman house in the book. Your house has amazing bones. Would love to see pictures of it when finished. For sure bring in architect and designer. Money well spent. Do take your time and you'll end up with something that will make you feel good everytime you enter your home.

@dam454. Thanks for your suggestions. I have looked at the book and it was helpful (and have checked out many books at our local library). We hired an architect to design what has become a two-phase approach. Phase one will be a new bathroom, closet, laundry room, and den to replace the existing sunroom (black and white floor). We are almost ready to submit our plans for review by the historical board (we live in a designated historic area and external changes need approval). I don't feel bad about replacing this room as it is a patio that was enclosed in the 70s.

The front of the house only needs some cosmetic changes. 1. Refinish wood (would definitely love for it to be warm honey blond but not sure what is possible); 2. Remove wall paper and then paint; 3. Remove shutters; and 4. Remove carpet.
We will be doing this work ourselves while others build the addition.
Thankfully I just discovered a seminar on refinishing wood that will be held at a Craftsman Home weekend in Pasadena the middle of October... So I will wait until then to get started.

We didn't buy the chairs that I posted earlier... My husband didn't like. I am trying to hold off on furniture but its not easy!

Thanks for your update Nancy. Here are my thoughts on your status.

Best to just pull the carpet out and toss it - no one will buy it and thus binding it into smaller pieces will only cost you more. Old carpet is just too dirty as you will see when you pull it out.

Pull the shutters before you refinish the wood - you will love the extra light and never go back.

For now, keep the grasscloth - it is an expensive paper and some people actually love the look of it painted - so if you are just hating the color but aren't ready to tackle the whole kaboodle yet, paint the grasscloth itself (i know, i know, but she is tackling the natural wood trim in a craftsman, folks, lets' help her make something easy).

Liked the mod / traditional shape of the chairs but the pure red upholstery would not have givien you a good look - if you are going to buy something to reupholster then have a fabric in mind, develop a fabric color story for your house. There is a terrific arts and crafts inspired rug at PB - adeline in green that repeats the two colors you have put forth so far- sage green and deep red along with celery green, cinnamons pale and deep. This might be your color inspiration, and help you find the right wood tone.

Thanks for the suggestion libradesigneye.
I will take off the shutters as part of the wood refinishing. I realized after I typed that last post that those projects go together.
I will toss the carpet and am thinking that I should to the wood first to use the carpet to protect the wood that is underneath. Does this make sense?
I am not a fan of the grass cloth but I found another roll of it in the garage and so I can experiment with painting it.
I will have to check out that rug at PB because those are all the colors I like. Thank you for your help.

Does the order I have of tackling the projects make sense? Revised: refinish wood and remove shutters; wall paper or paint; remove carpet... Then decorate!

Thanks

Is this the rug?

Yes, it makes sense to tackle the floors last and let the carpet be your dropcloth.

The blog 1912 Bungalow has some good info on wood refinishing http://1912bungalow.com/2004/02/removing-paint-and-refinishing/ . I would look into historic finishes, which were typically quite dark and with warm natural tones on the walls. Honey oak is not appropriate, and is out of style now anyway, but there were some somewhat lighter and slightly green or grey or reddish tones that might work. It may have darkened with time, so just a tone or two difference could work.

Old House Journal had an article about the difference wall color makes with these old Craftsman houses with dark trim--plain white just doesn't suit them and makes the woodwork look choppy and even darker. I just love the inglenook by the fireplace, and it could look great painted a contrasting color. Some sort of subtle ceiling color or stencil might look great too. http://artsandcraftshomes.com/the-arts-and-crafts-ceiling/

Raw burlap was often used in skeleton wainscoting in Craftsman homes, sometimes painted. http://artsandcraftshomes.com/the-finished-wall/ Grasscloth is more of a mid-century finish, but the texture is similar. It is very expensive, and I actually like the subtle color you have. You might try carefully vaccuming and cleaning it gently with a magic eraser if it is looking dingy, or drybrushing a bit of color or antique white/buttercream on. If you remove it, you might have a mess of plaster work to do. However, if you are going whole hog, it is best to remove the wallpaper first, patch the plaster, then refinish or touch-up the woodwork (it looks good in the pictures to me though), paint and finally do the floors.

No matter when you do the floors, it is going to create a mess and a lot of dust. It is possible to strip rather than sand, especially if it still has the original shellac finish, which comes up very easily and is easier to clean up than floor or plaster dust. If it was waxed, you have to strip that first. You might also consider a similar process to clean up the wood finish of the trim, rather than a wholesale refinishing. I knew someone who redid an entire Victorian boarding house with just mineral spirits and steel wool, and it looked great! http://ths.gardenweb.com/forums/load/oldhouse/msg1016440818029.html
http://forums.finewoodworking.com/fine-woodworking-knots/finishing/refinishing-old-shellac-floor

For a historic house, it is worth finding a historic wood finish expert for this, especially if you are willing to do the elbow grease! Thankfully you live near Bungalow Heaven, and that refinishing seminar can point you to lots of resources.

You just might like the wallpaper and/or the woodwork better once you get the carpet up--try turning a corner. The floor is probably finished with amber shellac, with is a much lighter golden tone to contrast with the woodwork.

The books Bungalow Colors and Bungalow Interiors might be helpful. Arts and Crafts Homes website and magazine can also be helpful--Antique Home Style website is useful too and has quite a lot of info on interiors. Bungalow Revival is very important now, so it can be hard to distinguish between new and the real thing, but it is worth learning the aesthetic of the period to get the balance right.

Today lots of people go whole-hog with the Craftsman look, but really styles were mixed and matched back then, and they used inherited furniture and all sorts of things. Craftsman is sort of an ancestor to Mid-Century modern, and I think some of that can be mixed in if that is what you like. It is a lot less work and more authentic to use lighter furniture and rugs, and lots of lamps, than to lighten the woodwork. Plus it is appropriate to use painted woodwork in the kitchen and bedrooms and bath, and keep the wood for the public areas.

Here are a few pics of skeleton wainscoting and historic patterns and colors.

Thank you victorianbungalowranch for all the good tips.

I don't think we will be able to go much lighter on the wood color. I like the idea of trying mineral spirits and steel wool... However one of our issues is the we have two different types of finishes. In some areas the wood is flat but in others they painted on a very thick varnish. The idea must have been to varnish the higher traffic areas, but it looks a little strange to me. It is scratched in some places (someone had a big dog that scratched the door and molding) and is chipping in others. I like the color under the chips and scratches better. Overall the wood is in good shape and is a major highlight of the house and I don't want to mess it up. I'm looking forward to the seminar.

Meanwhile, I know the grass cloth is expensive and I think they put it up very recently, I really want a sage color on the walls. Maybe I can wait until the shutters are off to see if I like what we have.

The kitchen will be white with green accents (right now it is white and pink). But this project is a long way off.

Sage or yellow on the ceiling could look terrific with the woodwork, and maybe a different tone around the fireplace. Some color can really bring out the texture of the grasscloth. I would consider a lighter and a bit olivey color in the center with a lighter border on the edges to visually raise the ceiling a bit. Or maybe some cove uplighting.

http://bungalowhomestagers.com/2012/06/looking-up-ceiling-color.html (not quite what I had in mind)
http://www.apinchofjoy.com/2011/10/how-to-creat-a-faux-tray-ceiling-and-give-your-room-character/

Sage can be in the curtains and rugs of course too. I have sage green in my living room and it is a little harder to work with than I expected. I chickened out and got a lighter and less olive color because the room can be dark, but I wish I went with a more greyed or olive tone. But better than the harvest gold yellow walls, ceiling and floors the house came with!

This is another great blog for bungalows:
http://www.laurelhurstcraftsman.com/2013/02/great-period-resource.html#.Ug0TTX8o62w

Period stain options:

http://www.laurelhurstcraftsman.com/2013/07/period-book-home-beautiful-1915.html#.Ug0Vc38o62w

It has a link to a website where you can download a period book about wood finishes. There are lots of old trade journals and pattern books on this website too.

More old house websites:
http://www.oldhouses.com/competitors.htm

We tell our clients to hire a designer that they feel connected to. Interview them and hear what they have to say about your new house. See if they listen to your ideas or just talk over you.

I am not sure if it because of the red in the finish of the wood or is the actual color but our ceiling have a pink tint to them. I am thinking of a creamy white

I can see the pink in the picture--and in the rug too. I think bungalows look so much better with warm color harmonies. There is an article in the most recent Arts and Crafts Homes magazine (not posted yet) that show the difference before and after of a light pinky taupe vs. a warm butter yellow, and it is amazing how much better the wood and the walls look. And has lots of examples of non-white ceilings.

Bradbury and Bradbury even has ceiling wallpaper 9not that I recommend that) in textured golden colors, which look especially nice at night. A warm buttery yellow can have a similar effect. I especially like the glowing peachy yellows, such as in the first photo I posted with the skeleton wainscoting..

And pinky beiges don't go well with yellow beiges. The pics just above are for ceiling treatment and lighting ideas, not for colors. I think the big expanse of pinky beige in the Frank Lloyd Wright house looks terrible with the yellowish ceiling. Must be a later addition.

This is a neat bunch of photos from an old paint catalog of color combinations and stencils http://www.flickr.com/photos/daily-bungalow/sets/72157611740446788/with/3142177900/ and a huge archive of old bungalow pics of all sorts: http://www.flickr.com/photos/daily-bungalow/ (50 pages worth!)

Since you like reds and greens (bright red isn't a typical bungalow color, but brick red, red brown and orange red are) you might try the Fallingwater collection at Pittsburgh Paints. I think variations on the first three colors could work with the grasscloth and the woodwork http://www.voiceofcolor.com/collections/fallingwater. The colors are similar to the historic ornament picture I posted earlier--red with a hint of raspberry/peach, spring green and toffee.

Here's a good link for bungalow color collections: http://bungalowinsanity.com/2008/05/29/new-bungalow-paint-colors/ I checked out the Kelly-Moore color collection "Lifestyles of the West" and liked what they had: http://kellymoore.autech.com.au/kellymoore/colorcenter/ although I wish it had more options for each style.

My favorite all-purpose white color is a contractor's antique white that comes in 5 gallon buckets. It is a white with just a bit of burnt umber type color in it, but not enough to make it look yellow or dirty. and it looks great with most colors. I suppose Benjamin Moore has something similar--their colors are very subtle, so that's why they charge the big bucks.

Here is the direct URL for the stain and wood finishing guide http://archive.org/details/TheHomeBeautiful This is a fantastic resource with all kinds of old building manuals and such. http://archive.org/details/buildingtechnologyheritagelibrary

Hi everyone, since I am no longer looking for a designer, but still would love to have help as I move along, I've made a new Design Dilemma titled "Craftsman Living Room/Dining Room Help". Thanks for all your help!

What would you like to see on the outside of the home ? I can put textures finished , siding , stone , walkway , brick , windows, paint and more on this house ? Take a look at my idea book for the many houzz 2D tramsformations . I have 30 plus years building experience and I live in the most historical preservation area Williamsburg VA. Send us pictures of the houses in you area to get a feel for what's around you If you want . wwwEbtdesigns.com

Thanks Everything but we don't have any plans to change the outside