This Bungalow's got beautiful lines. It would be a crime to remove any of it's historic features, like the brick balusters. To add a pillar in the middle would ruin the flow of the front porch, needlessly close it in and obstruct your view from the inside. That massive span is meant to be there. It feels strong and the mass of the brick feels sturdy - one of the characteristics of a craftsman bungalow. What your house does need is color and some landscaping. The Craftsman style is known by its earth tones - colors from nature. A dark sage body color and a light sage trim with a Cherokee red would be a correct historic look for this house. The main body color should complement the brick, not match it - hence the sage. The Cherokee red gives a nod back to the brick and adds a little punch. A darker architectural shingle would also feel correct. The rectangular details on the top of your pillars are begging for another subtle architectural detail on top of them. This extends the shape and gives these light blocks some meaning. The horizontal band that connects them helps the arch feel a bit less stark and goes a long way in giving your house the interest you're looking for. Shakes on the dormer are a nice-to, not a have-to. But the interest they bring draws the eye up and just adds more architectural detail. Vertical muntins in the windows and a door painted the same color as the window trim help to make this cottage a little more charming and tailored. Taking the storm door off sure would look nice. It does look like it's sheltered enough to do so. Part of the reason that it feels like there is too much brick, is that there is very little landscaping...well, what you've got is a start, anyway. Typical Craftsman landscaping is not too fussy. It's usually hardier plants and bushes that add texture and color. Just flowers might feel a little light and a little sparse in front of so much brick. Different heights will make it more interesting, with the taller plants on the corners to frame the whole vignette. P.S. Reading through some of these suggestions almost makes my heart break. I've seen too many of these bungalows ruined by shortsighted people who try to match these great houses to the latest fads by taking out the very things that make them charming (like the brick railing...I can assure you, it's original and integral to the design). I had the privilege own a 1914 bungalow for 10 years and to nurse it back to health. When we sold it, I was impressed with the fact that we are only caretakers of the houses we own for a relatively short period, and then we pass them to the next caretaker. This makes me want to enhance only if it's sensitive to the original intent and character. Here's what it could look like...

My carpet is beige -- about the color of Sherwin William's Kilm beige paint color. And the carpet has to stay because its only a few years old and cost a bunch. Will light gray walls and built-ins work with the carpet? There is no place I could put the piano in this room that wouldn't be by a window. Speaking of windows ... any suggestions? I've thought about light tan drapes at edges of wall of windows with cream sheers. Or a black and cream patterned curtain at edges; or the same colored curtains at edges as accompanying sheers. I'm not sure if i should treat each wall of windows as one big window, or if i need something curtsin-wide to bresk up the two sets of windows and cove the small wall space between the sets of windows.

Thank you for all of the suggestions. Yes @dclostboy, we are FOR SURE going to tile over the brick. The brick matches our exterior (why the builder decided that?!).. but, its SO heavy and cold. Is it a style no-no to have an area rug over carpeted areas? I always wanted something there, but I was told not to. (it's my house, why am I holding back ?? :) ) but I love the rug you have picked out. It is completely my style!! @ Darzy, I agree that mirrors are a must. I really like the square mirrors you have picked out and will incorporate them into my final design! I will have to do more research on perhaps adding more moldings to tie together the space. @Verdant, gosh.. We really want stone... ever since we signed on this house.. but I'm SCARED that it will just overpower the space. I think I'm going to look at more lighter toned stone and see that's something we could be comfortable with. (plus stone is completely different from what our neighbors have ever done) @janeinfo, great, easy win there! I'm off to look for some floor lamps. If I dont light up this room.. I'm going to have seasonal depression! @calidesign, YES. I think panels would soften the room as long as they are a lighter color and don't darken. ...and brillant idea with the battery powered lamps. I should post some more photos.. I forgot to add that there is a lighted ceiling fan that extends down, but has a frosted globe that doesnt help with my lighting problem. (sigh) So off I go to hit up some quick wins.. Please keep the comments coming and I will update as I make changes.

Definitely some good advice here. The floors are a big upgrade and add a lot of pattern so keep the rest of the room simple, solid color, neutral furniture. Keep all wood tones the same color if you add any wood, i.e. tables, etc. or go with black. For wall colors, I think a medium warm gray (a little darker than the current light gray) or a neutral shade of beige (match colors in the floor tile). if you don't want the sharp white ceiling contrast, you can paint the ceilings 1/2 shade of the wall color. I prefer satin wall paint or eggshell finish that does not have a high gloss finish and flat paint for the ceilings. Adding a solid color rug will also tone down the busyness of the floors. Decide on the style of light fixtures you like and keep them in the same color tones, i.e. silver, black, bronze, etc. If you have chrome and silver handles in the kitchen, keep with the silver on other fixtures. If you need a ceiling fan, go with black blades. Congrats on your first home purchase. Enjoy the design and decorating process, and make it yours.