Because many of you asked for more detail about the layout changes we’re considering and the paint colors we’re leaning toward, here’s a clear, updated rundown of the ideas floating around our heads right now. Plans will evolve as we move forward, but this captures our current thinking about the first and second floors, as well as the color palette and design direction we’re most excited about.
First Floor: Existing Layout
This is what the first floor looked like when we bought the house (we’ve since removed the three sets of double doors that used to open into the kitchen).
First Floor: What We’re Considering
Below is a rough plan of how we’d like the main level to function over time. The goals are improved flow, more natural sightlines between rooms, and a few strategic additions for storage and outdoor access.
- Widen the doorway between the kitchen and dining room to improve circulation and make it feel more open.
- Create a broad, centered opening between the kitchen and living room with built-in cabinets flanking the opening, similar to a previous opening we enjoyed in our last home.
- Reconfigure the kitchen from a U-shaped layout with a peninsula to an L-shaped plan with a central island for better work flow and seating. We also want to add French doors in the eat-in area that open to the deck.
- Eventually convert the sunroom into an open, covered porch with new columns and fewer sliding doors—right now several sliders are failing and some posts are rotten, so we’re picturing a porch that feels structural and weather-protected.
Second Floor: Existing Layout
This is what the second floor currently looks like.
Second Floor: Proposed Changes
Here are the principal changes we’re discussing upstairs to improve function, storage, and the bathroom layout.
- The biggest change is opening up the sink nook and the adjacent bathroom area in our master suite so they become one larger, cohesive bathroom instead of two separate sink areas divided by a wall.
- In the hallway between the nursery and our bedroom is a double-doored linen closet; we’d like to convert that into a built-in hallway niche with concealed cabinetry at the base and open shelving above for display and storage.
- At the end of the hallway there’s a laundry nook and a door to the unfinished storage space. We considered turning that nook into a full room, but closing it off would likely make circulation awkward when you need to pass through that space to reach other areas, so for now we plan to keep it open.
- Down the road we want to drywall and finish the unfinished storage area to create a bunkroom and cozy TV/movie room for older kids and overnight guests.
Color Palette and Paint Ideas
We’ve been experimenting with a Benjamin Moore-based palette that balances soft neutrals, moody mid-tones, and a few vibrant accent colors. Not every swatch would be a wall color—some will be used on a vanity, a single piece of furniture, a ceiling, or a small accent zone like the back wall of a play closet. This is a first-pass palette that will evolve as we add textiles, art, and accessories.
We like the idea of dramatic colors like dark grays or deep charcoal in the dining room paired with crisp white trim and built-ins for contrast. Light, warm neutrals will work well in living spaces and bathrooms, while deeper mid-tone blues or greens could be cozy in bedrooms—Sea Star or Sparrow feel like good options for our bedroom when paired with plenty of white linens and furniture. Brighter hues—Moroccan Spice, Milano Red, and Spotswood Teal—are being considered strictly as accents: a vanity, an occasional chair, a mirror frame, or a single piece of furniture.
How This Compares to Our Past Palettes
For context, our first house leaned mostly on tans, creams, and soft blue-grays, while our second home introduced richer tones like deep teal alongside softer grays, pinks, and taupes. This current palette feels like a blend of those two directions: more traditional warmth than our last house, with a lot of classic neutral grounding from the first, plus more lively accent colors than before.
We expect to pair classic white trim and doors with mocha hardwood floors and occasional gray slate flooring to keep the overall palette grounded and timeless.
Design Inspiration
Below are the types of spaces and treatments we’re pinning as inspiration:
- A dark, tailored bedroom with layered textures and crisp white accents feels very appealing.
- Whitewashing a fireplace brick to brighten the living room and create a softer focal point.
- An airy, open kitchen with plenty of natural light, built-ins, and French doors to the deck.
- A moody dining room with bright white built-ins for high contrast—navy or dark charcoal could be striking.
- A chic wallpaper installation in a small powder room for a dose of personality.
- An office with a wall of built-ins and a floating table for work or casual meetings.
- A cozy bunkroom and TV space when we eventually finish the storage area for kids and guests.
- Thoughtful closet built-ins to optimize storage and organization.
- A foyer or upstairs hallway treated with wallpaper and wainscoting for a layered, finished look.
Final Notes
Most of these ideas are early-stage and half-formed, so major transformations will be phased over time—big builds and furniture purchases will be budgeted and scheduled across the next few years. For now we’re focused on returning rooms to a neutral, livable state and planning the larger changes thoughtfully. We’re excited to watch the house evolve and to look back later to see how closely these early plans match the final outcome.