What about mosaic tile? Lots of colors, styles, sizes, and finishes to choose from. You can also mix tiles or keep it simple and uniform - whatever you prefer! This fireplace was done in a single color of iridescent tiles, very sleek and modern! (other colors available!)

@Lavalla - your project sounds fascinating. I'd love to know more and see what you're up to. I did a little more research and found some more links that might interest you when designing your "new" kitchen. This blog found old magazine clippings from kitchens in the early 1900's and compiled them here - fun inspiration: http://1912bungalow.com/2004/03/historical-kitchens/ Check out a few pages from this book, The New Bungalow Kitchen - some really interesting information about the history of the kitchen and great photos of newly renovated kitchens with that same feel. http://books.google.com/books?id=POHmo_Wg62gC&pg=PA29&lpg=PA29&dq=1920s+free+standing+kitchen&source=bl&ots=Eito3zQYBV&sig=vLmfrTG9SkJ10gIT8ev_jyTZWNs&hl=en&sa=X&ei=6rhZUcOWK8TmiwKhwIDAAw&ved=0CC0Q6AEwADgK#v=onepage&q=1920s%20free%20standing%20kitchen&f=false

This is why it's always good to have a pro to hold your hand for at least some of the way, (carefully chosen though, check out his/her finished projects, the more varied the styles, the better she/he will be able to understand and adapt to your desires), they can provide the invaluable visual supports too. When it's your own house it's notoriously difficult to see the possibilities, you have it under your eyes the whole time and the defaults shout at you and prevent you being able to see it objectively and envisage the possibilities. you're emotionally involved and emotions always have the upper hand on the brain, so you just keep turning round in circles. Something akin as to why a psy must never attempt therapy on a member of his own family, if you follow me :D As for the façade color, are you sure it needs changing that much ? Once those thick white frames have gone and the new windows nestling more discreetly, correctly positioned and re-proportioned, the aspect will change drastically and be far more streamlined and modern. (the devil is in the detail) I'd also strongly suggest that the wood facing just breaks off around the windows, no framing or finishings. Same thing for all the windows, the small ones too. Entrance : Same as for the windows, that outer frame shouldn't be touching the ceiling, you can try taking that off and painting the door another color before deciding to change it and once again the door could do with setting back a little. You could maybe take that doorstep out while you're at it. Also, i don't know what is happening to the right of the door but i see the concrete steps leaing up and feel it would be good to create another level to make it flush with the bottom of the door if structurally possible. This would tie it all in better and you probably wouldn't need any additional definition to your entrance. Anyhow, as i often quote, i'm a firm believer in " Less is More " , and vice versa of course ^^ Question #4 i can't answer as i haven't really understood the problem And #5 i don't think so, but once the other transformations have been taken care of i think you'll find it speaks for itself. Whatever, it's a very exciting project, the bones are great and i'd love to see photos of progression once you get started.

We had a landscaper come in and draw a plan. Re-used the whole bricks into a grid pattern, and filled the squares with concrete. This summer's job is to build the bench seats around the outside for a seating area. The flat surface has been great for our children - they learned to ride their bikes out here, and love decorating it :-)