I would suggest you take out the cabinet that is to the right of the stove and use it elsewhere in the house -- perhaps in the bathroom or dining room with a hutch above it. Then, I would suggest you have someone install a lazy susan cabinet in the corner between the sink counter and the stove, meaning you would move the stove down a bit and have a small cabinet/counter top to the right of the stove. I would suggest you have the cabinets refinished in white and then paint the walls a pastel you like. If you would prefer white walls, then add white-painted crown molding and paint the ceiling a light neutral blue, such as Sherwin Williams Niagara Falls Blue. Then, I would suggest you choose a favorite accent color and use this sparingly in accessories like towels, pot holders, small vases or floral arrangements, and a valence above the triple windows. For a genuine 1940s look, you might have white ceramic square tiles with a rectangular red border installed as a back splash behind and above the stove. If you are replacing counter tops, I would suggest a light color such as white with a beige or light grey vein or striation for some sort of pattern. You might be able to find the same color and design in floor tile OR opt for a wood floor as another poster suggested.

Tess, I hope I'm not too late with the following advice. Don't ever paint brick. Your house is a simple design, exterior wise. Paint wont fix it. What's missing is a designed garden. Even the simplest brick house can look like an inviting, lived in home when it has a structured garden surrounding it. For less than the price of paint, invest in a landscaper to design a garden that will soften and greatly enhance your homes street appeal ...and add many $ in value. Painted brick detracts from value and has to be repainted periodically, defeating the purpose of brick, which is, no maintenance. Besides, your house, painted white or cream as has been suggested here, would stand out in the street like a proverbial sore thumb. Trust me, landscape, starting at the street boundary and leave the bricks alone. Good luck.

Personally I think you are better to wait until you can afford to put back an in ground pool as the one's that I have seen sitting above the ground look like an eye sore - a temp pool - that looks like it could collapse at any time. Maybe while you save for the bigger project you could rent / buy a large Spa Pool.

I assume you have sailed into your renovations Susan ? The pictures actually look like 2 different houses -- different colours , different styles . I quite like the 'red' ( 2 storey ) side of the house -- even the conservatory and that pattern on the deck railing -- personally I'd paint it in a charcoal , but it's liveable . NOT a fan of the yellow opaque glass , and I'd paint around the outside of your 2 garage doors approx 80-100mm wide white borders to match the rest of the joinery . The other side though -- the roof ( as you said ) would be my first thing -- I'd go a browny/red , very similar to the panels on the other side of the house . The gutters and window sills I'd go a superbright blood red , and even though I agree about the cream veneer bricks and steps -- I'd leave the veneer , and either paint , or preferably tile , the steps in charcoal , and add a couple of 'chunky' stainless rails on the sides . And the base board -- I'd do it in charcoal too . It would not only look better , but make the house look longer and sleeker .