Bought an old home...I loving refer to as my retirement bank..124 years old. If your husband or you have any carpenter skills or a family member who loves you a lot...look for old doors that includes barn doors that are too large...cut them down or refigure to size...its custom. You did it...wood is thicker and better....paint them all the same color....instant character. Or start with the one that is the worse problem...see how it goes...mine are beautiful...add something different and built to last. Most were $25.00 to $50.00 except the front door..but new doors they are thin...not real wood and to me cheap . its work to sand strip and measure ....make sure to measure about five times...keep in mind old homes are not square...but for us it worked...old doors you pick up for almost nothing aren't either. I made paper doors to take with me to lay on top of old doors to see how it would be...that wasn't easy but used old cardboard first and butcher paper taped together I could fold and take. You can check the height of the door knob which is important I found out..we have a door that we mismeasured and it like a dutch door I think they call them top opens and bottom opens or together..it goes from kitchen to dinning room so like a pass through. Which worked out to look good but what a headache..so the butcher paper template is a must. You are in for a lot of work and fun...as long as you know. Just about anything can be changed someway to work...diy magazines and web sites are educational...good tools...borrowed or hope for as a gift a blessing...renting if your sure you can get it done in a day is an option. Lots of info...custom doors start at least at 200 where I live uninstalled not real wood...for us this made sense...not for everyone...we love our house or recycled doors.good luck...doing it make you love it more.

Really old thread , so my apologies for bringing it back from the dead . If Roni is still around ( i.e. notifications get through ) -- what did you do in the end ? Personally , I don't like the red beams in the ceiling , or the blue chairs . But I quite like the warmth of the wood in the dome , so I would have done the beams or rafters ( just the few lower ones ) in a charcoal , left the floor and ceiling as they are , changed the seats to a red or burgundy -- either reupholster or replace with complete new seats . And those witches hat lightshades -- go trendy modern all round balls or similar , maybe with bright red cords and/or brass fittings or similar .

also have uploaded a photo of our piano and mirror which I love. and I photo of our dining room light which I would also like to keep there.

We will be installing high windows above the bench, which will not be easily accessed for opening/closing. Does anyone know of remote-controlled systems for windows - i am aware of systems for blinds and drapes. Motorised systems for windows look very commercial/industrial. io want something unonbtrusive for my kitchen. regards