Dana Decals. what a super software. i went through several of the overview videos and i think it will work for me because (i think) i can download a photo and work off of it. the changing colors option is fantastic. (still debating whether or not to buy it but probably will unless there's something better.... well, easier to use.) this software will bring on a whole new learning curve. thank you SO much.

You're welcome, and good luck!

This one's great for conceptualizing. Very intuitive, small learning curve and it's free!
http://www.sketchup.com/

But the best way to freely conceptualize is a pen drawing what's in your head on paper.

architectrunnerguy. just FYI, Chief Architect also has a 30-day free trial. and they have a DIY designer enthusiast version for $59-$500. i checked out both & am starting with Chief Architect free trial version. if i'm not satisfied, i'll be giving sketchup a try. thanks, again.

Software can't replace education & experience.
I'm sure there is a design professional in your area that would be eager to provide you with sound advice & become your ally & advocate!
Houzz is a good resource for pictures & those pictures will help guide a design professional.
A few suggestions would be to search the National Kitchen & Bath Association's website for a certified professional in your area.
There is also the American Society of Interior Designers.
And last but not least, the local Chamber of Commerce may have someone who can help you.
Good luck!
~LMM

Moonroxx, sorry to hear of your frustration with what seems like a dream project. It also sounds like you know what you want and intend to get it! Hope that you come to enjoy the process and have fantastic results.

Moonroxx...well, you're entirely welcome.

But to expand on what LM touched upon, just understand that design software, while a great tool, will not provide you with creativity. That will only come from your head.

For example, if I were to get the fanciest, most hot shot, state of the art word processing program with all the bells and whistles, that's not going to turn me into a J.K.Rowling. All of her creativity came out of her head not from whatever word processing software she was using. Same with design software. But like word processing programs, design software is great for fine-tuning whatever comes out of your head.

And most architects still put a pen to paper to get an idea from their head onto something they can remember. Sure, it's developed with software but even then the ideas don't come from the software.

For better or worse, all of your creativity will be coming out of your head.

And the best of luck with your project!

I'm wondering why you have given up on hiring an interior designer. A great designer will take your "wish" list go over it in detail and explain the "whys" and "why nots". We have the knowledge and responsibility to educate our clients on the latest products as well as how each will function. I'd like to know what has turned you off. Perhaps your feedback will be beneficial to those of us who are professional interior designers. Thanks much!

> Design With Distinction. i intended to interview I.D.'s in my area & checked them out as much as i could--first, in the yellow pages then to the Web. None of the (few) local interior designers show any before & after photos --only afters-- which i found really frustrating. if i were proud of what i've done, i would definitely highlight my accomplishments with before & after pix. and the (again, few) photos i found on their sites were way too ordinary for me and were much more in the decorating genre than the design area. I found their "About Me" statements ... welll, frankly, boring because they were too much like a paid advertisement rather than a personal "snapshot." i'm living in a smallish coastal area in far northern CA and i could find only about 5 listings for i.designers who seem to do mostly decorating so i thought that first finding an architect i feel comfortable with would probably be the better idea and (s)he will probably have good knowledge about not-too-distant interior designers. San Francisco is 6 hours away & i'm sure i could find an interior designer who would resonate with my Asian / African / Feminine-Goddess / Nautical / eclectic taste; however, that gigantic task of sifting through The Bay Area's designers is too daunting for me to even begin. But if it turns out that i DO have to go far out of my area for a designer, then emailing some photographs showing what my house currently looks like and what i would like it to look like could be very convenient for finding MY interior designer & cut down on 600+ round-trip miles by car or small plane. i'm helpless & clueless when it comes to updating overhead lighting (there is none in the large, tall, vaulted living room), heated flooring, expanding from the current large, framed living room & kitchen windows with sliding glass doors to all-windows, wall-to-wall & floor to ceiling sans sliding doors (because i hate them), etc, etc, etc.
i hope i've addressed your queries. BTW, do you live in my area?

oops. forgot that i wanted to attach a couple "Now" pix. 3 from the big bathroom & 1 looking into part of the kitchen to show the vaulted ceiling.

Looks like a cool space!! I would recommend either an architect or interior designer look over your idea drawings - a really good person can help you avoid costly mistakes even if you only hire them for a session or two. You can also get great advice on houzz!!

it's a GREAT place. spectacular ocean view and there are SO many things i love about this house--like the fireplace. but it's 50 years old & needs some changes (like eliminating that awful cross-hatched, cheap stuff spoiling the view). thank you for your encouragement.

Thanks for your detailed comment. Very interesting house. Wish I lived in your area but I'm in Arizona. I agree that meeting with an architect might lead to an interior designer recommendation. The deck railing might look fabulous with simple clear glass or plexiglass & a steel handrail. What a view you'd have then. Wishing you the best of luck. Please send me progress photos. I love the fireplace too. Changing the firebox, screen and adding a mantle is all that area needs.

> Design With Distinction, LLC. i'm thinking that the beautiful fossil stone of the fireplace should be extended on both sides of the fireplace. to the left, (recover?) the brown wood with matching stone & grout; then, on the right, replace that (ugly) paneled wall with a column of the stone to the ceiling and leave it at that which will open up the kitchen dining area and living room OR extend some very interesting glass wall beyond the stone column. i absolutely agree about replacing the dreadful cross-hatch stuff (i can't remember what it's called) with glass or that really thin tension wire. To add a note about using software... i like the ease of being able to simply click to change the colors of the walls, then save, then change it again & save and do that as many times as i want & end up with a slab of the same exact everything except what it all looks like in different hues.