Congratulations! It really was well cared for. Looks like a new build in many ways!! (the previous owner just had the interior painted prior to selling) This is difficult for me to believe. Why bother and yet leave all those very person specific colors? It sounds like this is a "temporary" home so not sure what you are asking. I totally get changing out the wall colors...but are the other changes because they are a minimum standard of living for you or are you thinking it will improve your resale? For example counter tops are pretty neutral, very serviceable why go the the expense/hassle when you won't be there to enjoy their value?? The light fixtures will be fun to swap out--they could really make a NEW statement. Keep us updated!!

Look like a lovely house. I agree paint would be my first priority. I don't understand you wanting to change stove for drop in rather than slide in. What is the advantage to that.

i agree with arch, I am not sure about changing the counters since they are a nice color.

I don't understand the entry thing at all, so I totally am with you on doing something about it..now if it proves to be too expensive -I have this idea you might not like but here it is(and it's a bit like yours too)-if impossible to get rid of, I'd fill the walls in..making sort of a little enclosed corridor type entry. Much cozier, and making more sense/ Which it could probably be in the beginning, and they decided to open it or something, and couldn't do a better job on it but leaving these four strange columns..I have a feeling something there IS load bearing otherwise why go for that look?..

as for repainting-very personal..of course I'd repaint everything if the colors got on my nerves. I'd leave the emerald room intact though:)

in short..I'd make architectural improvements my priority. As much as it's financially possible of course. The architecture makes or breaks the place. Not countertops. Not the color of the cabinets. Not the finishes on the knobs.

The flying buttresses were designed just that way ... I know ... I know ...

Was thinking about the half wall would look with the top of it about 6-8" lower than the corner post (assuming it isn't structural - I can't see it being since the vault has no other supports that match it - and, I have seen other floor plans from the same builder that didn't have the same components) ...top both the shorter wall (it would be 3 1/2 + 1/2 + 1/2=4 1/2", and the posts are about 12" or so) and the new post with the same material as the new countertops? ... or, just cap with 1X stock and paint it to match trim?

We could live with the countertops in the bathrooms (poured in a mold stuff), but we want kitchen to look more current. Drop in stove doesn't have the controls sticking up behind it ... always wondered why they are there :-)

And, what about those beamy things in the kitchen? :-) Like a fad at the time, I guess ... pull the ones over the islandish counter and drop some pendants from the ceiling - will need to get some more light, too ... LED's pretty easy (had done lots of these in various styles) with some form of articulating mounting.

I would "paint out" the entry structure first to, to get it to blend in to the walls, to see how that works first. Same with the bulkhead in the kitchen, paint it the same color as the ceiling to blend in. I would NOT hang pendants from it, because they'll only draw attention to the bulkhead, not minimize it.

I wouldn't bother with the kitchen countertop, but if you're going to change the kitchen countertop and range, I would straighten out that wonky "peninsula" and put that set of cabinets against the wall.

If you are changing ceiling fixtures and keeping the fans), get white fans (again, to blend in with the ceiling) without lights.

I would keep the porch floor very simple. It might be a question of just repainting the concrete a different color, and maybe some outdoor rugs and a runner to the front door. Live in the house through the winter and see what color comes to mind in the spring.

If your plan is to be in the house for just a few years, I'd start out very, very simply.

Sorry - I wasn't clear - pendants would hang from the vaulted ceiling once the horizontal weirdness is removed.

Interesting point re reorienting the peninsula cabinets ...I think the opening width into the family room supports a short straight counter/bar ... BUT, it would mean having to redo the wood floor in the kitchen ...

I love the porch and the barrel ceiling! A ceiling fan for sure. Dimmable lighting and redo the slab. Faux finish or porcelain wood plank.

I would just try to minimize the "horizontal weirdnesses" rather than spending money on removing them. For the kitchen floor, you should be able to get some pieces to match, and if the match isn't perfect, if necessary, just put down a runner.