Need help with ideas for modernizing!

7 years ago

We found a house under budget in the neighbourhood of choice. However, not completely in love with the house itself. Because it was under budget we have room for improvements!

Interior - my wife really doesn’t like the small boxed in kitchen, all of the wood, or the laminate floor. Ideas on how to improve this area? I’m looking for ideas to make the fireplaces pop! One is in the main living area the other the main bedroom.

Exterior - not sure what we want to do. Paint... but what colour? What else would add more curb appeal?

*More photos in comments.

HELP!

Thanks in advance!

Featured Answer

aprilneverends

7 years ago

last modified: 7 years ago

Your new place is charming. I love all the wood-it's authentic and brings so much warmth and character.

Your frireplaces are nice and distinctive enough-art that's personal to you is all you need there.

I'd look into flooring issue..since your wife dislikes laminate, and tile in kitchen seem to be a bit of a disconnect, both in color and character..I can see something like slate (not "rainbow" one, but rather of one color.).or ceramics/porcelain layed in subtle, classic patterns..

Can you share the(approximate) location and age of the house?

Will help with defining, at least vaguely, how much big renovations might actually cost

Let's say you make an open kitchen(wich you really should consider very well-not every house is suited to open plan, and there are gives and takes..pluses and minuses..will depend also on your family's needs)

I don't know where you are-but here you take down walls-you touch electrical, plumbing, etc-you need permits from the city, you need everything to be by the code..if older house, double whatever you thought your budget is. But it's local too-I'm in CA..and folks from some other states might have different experiences and rules that are more lax when comes to remodeling.

It might have asbestos, depending on the age of the house-here you pay for proper abatement when you touch asbestos. Might have lead paint if older. Etc.

In short as somebody who bought their current house seriously under budget with plans to renovate-it took two years, and nowhere near that sum we gladly were ready to pay. Well ours was gut plus addition, yours is smaller (or seems smaller) and seems simpler to tackle. But just prepare yourself for surprizes as these are often bound to happen.

And please, don't be in a rush to paint over the wood..it's part of what makes the place shine. Of what makes it for what it is. You work with wood by mixing in other finishes in furnishings, fabrics, plants, art..wood likes richness of colors or textures or even better, both next to it..much like in a forest. I really love the proportion of paint vs stan right now (meaning ceilings and walls etc). I'd consider it long and hard before changing it.

I hope you'll get more comments..very interested to hear what others advise on exterior and landscaping, I myself need to think more.

Congratulations..it's really a nice home you've found!

ETA: sorry for all the typos

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Comments (6)

J B
Original Author
7 years ago
More views from the interior
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cpartist
7 years ago
What an adorable salt box. I love the wood!

I would listen to April and her comments. She's right on the money.

Can you post a full floor floor plan so we can see how the kitchen relates to the rest of the spaces?

For the exterior, my first thought was to paint the siding a navy blue and then all you'd need is landscaping.
Anna (6B/7A in MD)
7 years ago
Are these listing pictures or yours?
Kristin S
7 years ago
For the kitchen I would start by getting a counter depth or even integrated/built-in refrigerator to help open up the feel of the space without major structural changes. I'd also probably take out the "eat-in" counter, as the actual dining space is just a few steps farther away. You could also look at some cosmetic upgrades like replacing the counters, going to an undermount sink, and putting in a backsplash. Opening it up to the living space would certainly be the most costly option, and I think there are other things you can do to help it feel more comfortable for your wife.

As for floors, personally I am not a fan of stone/tile throughout, as I find it hard on the feet. I'd look at wood, perhaps in a dark tone that coordinates with the darker knots in the ceiling wood? I think something with less visible movement would help tone the wood look down without going to a harder surface.
Wysiwyg
7 years ago
This is what we ended up doing with a 60 year old house that we bought which was in serious need of modernizing. Might give you some ideas on modernizing your house.

Fireplace - ripped the old one built it out with 2x4s. Used Dekton for the fireplace surround and porcelanosa tiles in metal bronze finish for the rest of the surround.

We replicated that across the room (open concept) for the bar area (which used to be a laundry room).

We had tile in the kitchen and different types of wood on the living level. We used one uniform hardwood with Jacobean stain across the entire living level.

In the kitchen we used neutral colors with silestone countertops, white cabinets and black hardware.