HI -- Thank you so much for the exterior photos . Trouble is now the comments are coming to fix the door and do this and do that ... sorry . I love the exterior and I think this is a very special house . Have you looked into the history and maybe who designed it ? This just convinces me even more about being very care full what is done to it .

@Katatdish. Love the door! Sorry, the front detail didn't show up easily on the first picture. It just looked bland from inside. ;-)

@RustyEmpire--who generally decides what a heritage home is? The owner? City? State?

I don't see it as a heritage home in the usual sense. Unique? Yes. Heritage? No.

@Lynn. I'm amazed at what you pick-up on your screen! Painted brick? Wow. I agree about the floors. Busy, busy...make a me dizzy...

The more I look at the pictures, again and again, the more I'd be tweaking the place. It's too dark. I could live with the brick outside, but I'd be drywalling the inside now and paint it a nice blue. Heck with the brick, lol. It would feel like a dungeon I think.

@Tatts. She knows about the brick and paint. If you look at her file, that's what she did with a previous home.

Hmmm..Katatdish...lemme guess...you're a flipper! How many are on your crew? ;-)

I would paint the far wall (for something less permanent, you could add dry wall and down the road, you or the next owner could easily remove) and I don't feel the integrity of the space will be affected but enhanced, becoming a more dimensional room. Once you add a large piece of vibrant modern art, this wall will be lovely - if the brick was nicer, I would leave it alone, but it feels more like plain brick that is used on the outside of a home. I would also be sure to paint any visual walls the same white so there is a nice flow - ie: hallway. Your ideabook picture of the white wall with baskets is just lovely.

I like the circle in the DR and the circle window is a wonderful architectural feature. The front door is fabulous. The more I see the house (and now the exterior) I am reconsidering my suggestion painting just the two LR walls. Large artwork may give the eyes a brick break visually :) Perhaps you could commission an artist for art you love that is worthy of the house for those brick walls.

I like most other commenters am falling more in love with the house with every new image. I earlier advocated waiting to get a better feel for how the house lives. Now I would say "absolutely no" to painting the brick. I envision large Middle Eastern rugs on the walls to soften and break up the brick. Unlike some who are saying white furniture, I would amp up the colors and bring a strong boho vibe to contrast with all the angles and sharp edges. I think the immediate reaction is to go minimal and very MCM but I think that could easily go extremely cold. The "bones" of this house are so wonderfully strong that they can stand up to more than the minimalist approach and, to me, need more to gain a cozier, more family-friendly space. I can completely see why you fell so in love with it.

@katatdish. How about hanging some really interesting pieces from the ceiling? Airplanes would be great! The model kind, but large enough for impact. Several feet across in width each...

A Calder mobile, or a knock off in a primary color.

After looking at the drop cloths at the base of the kitchen wall, I think refinishing the floors in a lighter hue would look beautiful with the ceiling and brick walls and make the space seem more open and bright...

Some inspiration. :))

Loveourhome: re classification of a heritage designated property - it's my understanding that in the states an individual or group can apply to have a property classified but it usually starts at the state level. 50 years is the usual minimum (but that seems like a fluid number). (Some reading is attached below). I own a nationally listed property - one needs to be very aware that one key guideline is how much the property has been altered from its original state. (There are even grants to apply for to help get a property back to its original state). The designation itself carries some distinction (you can get a pretty plaque made for the home!) but of key interest is the potential for tax breaks for the home. Best to read more for current details both at state and federal levels.

https://www.nps.gov/nr/national_register_fundamentals.htm#start

@RustyEmpire. Thank-you so much! It was interesting reading. I have travelled in the US quite a bit and have run across homes with plaques, but wasn't aware of all it entailed.

Canada also a process of some sort. Here in BC though, I have only recalled seeing traditional character homes/Victorian style, etc. or those affiliated with the railroad construction.

Speaking of railroad construction and wonders of architecture, google the construction of the Othello Tunnels through the Coqhuilla Canyon near Hope, BC. That's some amazing building!! And to see them in person is breath-taking. The fellow that built them loved Shakespeare. Each tunnel and rail-stop was named after characters. Awesome history!

Thanks again. I'm going to look into registries more here. Vancouver has some beautiful character homes that have been re-done well.

Cheers!

Nicole, your reply cracked me up! It is a bit Evil Knievel!

Lefty47, I keep researching the designer and architect...it's so interesting!

Potter99, you're right about what the colors used to be. You can see where the original owners laid rugs or hung artwork. The colors of the floor and walls are much richer in those spots.

There are so many great thoughts and comments...thanks everyone! Really lovely ideas and advice, thank you!

PS. Whynottryit, I love the idea of creating more of a bohemian vibe in our new space. I have a similar flavor going already at our old house.

i wasn't sure right away if it would work in our new home, but over the last couple of months I'm really feeling and envisioning it.

Thanks for your thoughts!

You're very welcome! I can't wait to see where you end up! Such an exciting home!

I found a photo with painted brick along side non-painted brick for a visual for you. I'm so torn because I love the home as is but do think the brick is just too much. Maybe you could cover the brick on the left/right of the FP without damaging the brick in case you want to go back to all brick? I think the "steward of the home" may feel a bit guilty but the homeowner would love a bit less brick and lightening up!

Chelsea Loft · More Info

@Darzy. Nice floors! Those would be less busy to look at. The wood is all going the same direction and the stain is even-toned.

luvourhome...I love katatish's floor as is. Gorgeous. I do think it's a bit busy all walls brick and the wood ceiling with the amazing floor, which is why I'm torn about covering or painting two brick walls or leave them alone and display large art. Painting (or covering) the two brick walls in the LR will tone down the busyness yet keep the beautiful elements in the room in tact. Katatish...whatever you decide we all can't wait to see your progress. :)

I would leave everything as is until you get your furniture and accessories into the room. Unlike the room Darzy posted, you're not dealing with red brick so that's a plus. Right now the only focus in the room is the "foundation" of the room. I truly believe once there are other pieces to draw the eye, that those walls and floors will take their intended place as a supporting cast to the stars of the room that you bring in.

To me, it's a bit unfair of us to judge the room in its current state. I say that because I am still making changes to my home and every addition makes an enormous difference. I have nowhere close to the magnificent start you have so I have no doubts that when you bring your personality into those already amazing rooms, you will fall in love even more.

Thanks Darzy!

Thanks all!

This conversation has helped me make decisions that I feel really excited and good about.

I've always loved the look of painted brick. Our home that we live in now has a white painted brick fireplace and wall. We also painted the exterior brick about five years ago.

While I seriously entertained the idea of lightening my new home's surroundings, we're going to hold off and live in it for a time. I feel so good and much happier having made that decision! We are going to settle in and make it our home with our belongings. I am going to create brightness without painting walls. We have a lot of light colored area rugs that will help bounce light. I am going to create a piece of artwork for the far wall after we move in. I enjoy painting so it will be a fun project. I've done quite a few pieces for our current home. I'll be hanging those as well. Plus, our current LR has gray walls and hardwood floors and I love the look with all of the colorful, abstract canvases on the walls. After all of my brainstorming, it's a no-brainer ;).

In time, maybe I'll change my mind and want to paint the two walls in the LR. It's very possible! But it isn't going to happen now. I was so back and forth, which is a terrible time to make a big decision. So I'm holding off. I cancelled with the painter when I woke up on Friday.

I'll send some progress reports as we settle in...thanks all! You have been a huge help! I really enjoyed this.

Soooo true, whynottryit! I love what you said. Amen!

I am so glad you have a plan now! That does help a lot! Great decision and look forward to seeing your progress.

Whew! That was a close one!

@Darzy. I love the floors also, to a point. I think the novelty of that floor would wear off very quickly for me. I'm just not crazy about all 3 elements together--the floors, the brick, and the wood ceilings. It's a tough call which element to change. There are pros and cons to changing any of them.

A person could go so many different directions and still come out on top. It would look great with a washed brick all throughout, or a couple of walls painted only. Or it would look good drywalling all but a feature wall of brick and/or the fireplace.

A few more possible options that I didn't list with the floors, etc. I basically think it will have to be one element taking centre stage in the home.

@katatdish--I was teasing about the flipper joke, btw. I just saw your other switch-outs with your brick painting and yard (nice btw!) and was teasing about the guys working on your "crew" in the pics.

Happy renovating :-)

Onto a new thread--looking for one about very small or tiny homes suitable for a disabled person I know.

Have you made any changes?

The wood is beautiful! I wouldn't touch it.

The bricks do feel a little too much. I would leave only one wall with the natural stone color, and paint the other walls in white or build a sheet rock wall to cover the other brick wall, and whenever you change your mind you can nock off this wall.

Bellow I've attached pictures from a client house, who designed the house with one light brick wall in each space and it came out beautiful.

Galilee Lighting -modern lighting pendants "Rain drops" · More Info

Galilee Lighting -Unique lighting - The Cubes of art · More Info

Home Interiors with Ease...no changes yet...

Thank you for the pics, Galilee Lighting!

You could sheetrock over some of the brick. That way you or the next owner have the option to take it back to the original look.

Hi all!

i just wanted to check back in and give an update.

We chose not to paint the brick and we love, love, love it!

Thanks to all for your thoughts and encouragement!

Well done. The 1970s are back in , and you're ahead of the game.

I hope so. I miss bell bottoms. :)

Will these do Darzy? I realize they're not quite "hip huggers"....... :)

Love it , so glad you did not bland out your home buy painting the brick.

http://bellbottomblog.tumblr.com

Groovy bell bottoms!

I am so glad you decided to leave the home the way the architect intended. Your choices to enhance those features have just made your home that much more spectacular. Beautiful home and I hope you and your family will be happy for many years to come. You must thrilled and very proud!

Love the way you're decorating it! Looks great!!!

Thanks Nicole, Darzy and whynottryit! I remember all of your help when I first posted :).

Any thoughts on my latest post by chance?

https://www.houzz.com/discussions/fence-stain-for-contemporary-mcm-style-home-dsvw-vd~4205059