Many readers asked for more detail about the layout changes and paint colors we’re considering, so here’s a thorough update on what we’re imagining for this house. These are early ideas and will almost certainly evolve as we go, but this captures the big picture we’re currently picturing.
Below is the original first-floor layout when we bought the house (note: we’ve since removed the three sets of double kitchen doors).
Our long-term plan for the first floor focuses on opening up sightlines and improving flow. The main goals are:
- Widen the doorway between the kitchen and dining room to create a more open connection and improve circulation.
- Create a centered, wide opening between the kitchen and living room, flanked by built-ins—similar to the opening we had between the office and dining room in our last house.
- Reconfigure the kitchen from a U-shaped layout with a peninsula to an L-shape with an island. We also want to add French doors from the eat-in area to the deck for better indoor-outdoor flow.
- Eventually convert the sunroom into an open covered porch with new columns and no sliding doors. Several of the sliders are failing and some posts are rotten, so replacing that area with a covered porch feels like the right long-term move.
On the second floor, the existing layout has a few opportunities we want to take advantage of.
The changes we’re considering upstairs include:
- Open up the sink nook and the bathroom area adjacent to our bedroom to create one large, unified bathroom rather than two sinks separated by a wall—this would make the space feel larger and more functional.
- Convert the double-doored linen closet in the hallway between the nursery and our bedroom into a built-in niche with concealed lower cabinetry and open shelving above for display and storage.
- There’s a door at the end of the hallway by the laundry nook. We briefly considered enclosing that space to make it a separate room, but it would likely feel closed off and awkward to walk through one room to reach another, so we plan to keep that area open for now.
- Drywall the unfinished storage space down the line to create a bunkroom or cozy media room that could be useful for older kids and their friends.
For paint and finishes, we’ve been pulling together a Benjamin Moore palette that mixes classic neutrals with some richer, moodier shades and a few warm accent colors. These swatches are a starting point and will evolve as we add furnishings, textiles, and art.
Our thinking on color placement so far:
- Dramatic deep colors like Knoxville Gray or Black Pepper could make the dining room feel tailored and formal when paired with crisp white trim and built-ins.
- Lighter neutrals will likely be used in living areas and bathrooms for a calm, timeless backdrop.
- Mid-tone, slightly deeper hues like Sea Star or Sparrow might work well in bedrooms with lots of white furniture and linens for contrast.
- Bright accent tones such as Moroccan Spice, Milano Red, and Spotswood Teal are intended for smaller pops—furniture pieces, a bathroom vanity, or frames and accessories—rather than all-over walls.
Overall, this palette blends elements from our previous homes: a more traditional, warm base similar to our first house, combined with some deeper, moodier accents we enjoyed in our second home. We expect to balance warm tones (tan, coral, red, brown) with cooler favorites (blue, green, gray), along with classic white trim, mocha hardwoods, and slate-gray flooring to keep the overall look grounded and timeless.
To help convey the vibe we’re chasing, here are a few stylistic ideas we’ve been pinning for inspiration:
- A dark, tailored bedroom that feels cozy and sophisticated.
- Whitewashed brick in the living room to brighten the fireplace wall and add texture.
- An airy, open kitchen with lots of natural light, future French doors, and built-ins.
- A moody dining room with bright white built-ins—perhaps leaning toward navy or another deep tone from our swatches.
- Chic wallpaper in a small powder room or half-bath for a focused style statement.
- An office wall of built-ins with a floating table for work and meetings.
- A cozy TV room and bunk-style sleeping area in the finished storage space someday.
- A well-appointed closet with built-ins—an aspirational but practical goal if the budget and space allow.
- Wallpaper combined with wainscoting in the foyer or upstairs hallway for a classic, finished look.
We’re starting with simpler projects—painting, removing blue trim and dated wallpaper, and small updates—while saving for larger construction and furniture purchases. Major builds and big furniture pieces will be spread out over several seasons, so expect this to be a gradual process. We’re excited to watch the house evolve and plan to document the journey so we can look back and see how these initial ideas compare to the finished results.
If you have questions about specific layouts or future projects, we may not have finalized plans yet, but we’ll share details as decisions are made and the work progresses.