Start with a floorplan of existing structure - go to your local Kinko's or equivalent and have it reduced in size and then have a couple dozen copied on to 8 1/2" by 14" paper. Then start playing with "what if" pencil sketches. Take some time to play with several variations and see how each of you like/dislike - "that's-not-bad / "are-you-out-of-your-mind" - love/hate all the various options. Unquestionably, you must have an accessible bathroom adjacent to your Master Bedroom. True story - I had a bad fall about 9 years ago and thus spent considerable time with hospital bed, wheelchair, walker, crutches, etc. Much better now, thank you. A bit over a year ago DH and I decided we really like this basic house, location, etc. etc. so decided we would remodel this house so we can retire here and live here comfortably even if we have to deal with wheelchairs, etc. So I drew up some plans to do many of the "someday" upgrades and modifications we've talked about for years (been here 23 years) and I incorporated a chair lift/elevator, several french doors, widened aisles in kitchen, roll-in shower with wide doors in to bathroom, all toilets replaced with handicap height fixtures etc. DH thought I was over-building and so we eliminated the elevator, all but one of the french doors, tightened up the kitchen floor plans, etc. The only thing we kept was the extra-wide entrance stairs, the 36" entry door and the french door leading from the entry in to the house. His job got super busy which meant we got the handicap toilets installed and the stairs built but everything else was postponed. 5 weeks ago DH had a fall at work that resulted in a badly broken leg and messed up knee. He is due back from hospital/rehab facility later this week. The only door he can use is the new one. He has stated that we will be re-revising the plans to include chairlift/elevator, more french doors, roll-in shower, widened aisles................................................. It's a lot easier to plan and install this stuff ahead of time and have it in place than to try to do an emergency "modify" in a matter of days. We'll be fine. But if you are already thinking this might be a nice place to retire - plan and install what you will need now. Things like a chair-lift/elevator don't have to be installed now - just make sure to allow a couple of "extra-large" closets on top of each other on each floor - check with elevator folk to get dimensions - and have the electrician install the appropriate wiring to the space - even if you don't use it for years. Beautiful cottage and lovely location - no wonder you want to stay. Good luck - take some time to plan for the "grey years" and you can enjoy it for even longer.

"Why would you want to paint your house all one color?" Because that's what I (and apparently the OP) WANT to do. That's what I like. As an added bonus, it makes it easier, cheaper, and more efficient to get it all painted. Fewer brushes and rollers are needed and you can keep reusing them from one room to the next. Actually I'm going as far as painting in 2 colors. One wall of the great room and the kitchen will be different than the rest of the house. I may do the bathroom in the secondary color as well, that hinges on whether or not that color looks good with the existing tile. If not, I'll stick with the more neutral main color in there as well. I find it more cohesive NOT to paint each room a different color. I had enough trouble settling on the 2 colors I ended up with as it was, LOL!

I love those So. Africa natives! I had forgotten their name. Thank you for posting this. I will now know what to search for!

Hi Jamie, maybe instead of several paintings, one or set of canvas paintings would look more stylish? Check out our propositions here: Canvas paintings, Canvas sets. A good idea will be also a big, photo wallpaper to add some character & space, like3d photo wallpaper. Everything depends on what kind of effect do you want to achieve. We hope, that our advices are helpful! Take care!