I wish we had a gas fireplace!

-the exterior, It's Spanish styled ranch, and it's very lovable(was like that when we bought it. we gutted it to add to it and all, but the exterior stayed)

-the landscaping(labor of love of previous owners). We work on adding ours-backyard has to be tackled yet, part of it suffered because of addition).

-the fact that the addition is seamless, and nobody can find it-even people who knew very well story of us remodeling and doing the addition.

-gave us opportunity to reconfigure some stuff, add much more storage, etc. 200 sq f of addition made a huge difference in functionality. We were able to get a big master bath, a walk in closet that didn't exist there beforehand, a hall linen closet that wasn't there beforehand either, a closet in the back, a powder room though tiny..laundry had to go to the garage though. On my condition the garage would be kept clean and decluttered. I'm still waiting..))

-the fact that inside now echoes the outside more-they were kinda disconnected before. We added some elements, without overdoing it too much, to stress on the style of the house-arches, handmade tiles appropriate to the style, etc.

-my vintage lights I was hunting everywhere. Was a huge PITA to tell the truth, but did save tons of money. and we love them. Actually everything vintage and handmade I was able to find and fit.

-colors I chose. Spent a lot of thought on it and quite a lot of samples.

-many drawers in our small kitchen, as many as I could fit.

-big master bathroom that has everything we wanted without feeling cramped.

-the fact that though the house is smaller and ceilings are lower and it all gets less light-my fig tree still going strong)) Orchids have harder time, had to take them all to the kitchen.

What I'd done differently..I'd insist on completely redoing fireplace. We compromised on doing external changes only. My concept is good but they didn't execute it well..also, it's a freakishly cold house and if I knew that I'd put in a unit that actually heats. They did have one before but was very protruding and didn't go well with my vision, so we sold it.

(We're in So Cal btw, but I'm freezing here. Maybe it's crazy old me)

Original features of a home are the most favorite and the most valued. The original slate and parquet. The original windows. The original heavy carved wood front door. The original redwood plank siding.

The least favorite would be a remuddled mess that does not respect the integrity of a home. Like painting the woodwork or brick. Both are major mistakes that newbies make that ruin a home’s character and value.

A coherent design that respects the home, but allows for sensitive improvements in function will get the most return both in utility and resale. Work with a good local designer who can accomplish that.

- Higher-than-average ceilings (at least 9')

- large kitchen with lots of countertop space and a walk in larder (not necessarily fancy or "commercial grade")

- wish I had a walk through shower

- wish I had wood look porcelain tile floors instead of wood look laminate

- wish I had a laundry room or corridor with space for shelving rather than a laundry closet