Thank you all so much many of you suggested darkening the ceiling and leaving the beams the way it is to avoid too much work. What color did you guys had in mind?? isn't a lighter color suppose to open the room? Talianko and Hyde Evans and Shauna? ( I preferably will love a rustic lighter wood look, and the beams but does sound like a mission to get it done as sanding varnish on the ceiling might take me forever but if I get brave enough I might do it Sstar. Brio I do so want those curtains gone they are shocking :)you haven't seen the outdated blue couch yet... but I have to decide in the colors of the walls first :) I am inclined to have a rustic look for furniture... more like farm style and I also like wash off colors...my next vibrant color that i want to add is yolk yellow ( don't roll your eyes that will be in a cushions or a vase a picture) I am very impressed with all your answers and thank you all so much for taking the time to help a girl out :)

Hi pjfee2...thanks for your ideas. Have to admit I have not given the reno in MT much thought this summer, here!! Actually been finishing our beach house re-build down here and a bit 'reno'd out' to be honest. BUT we head back in just over a month so it’s time I did give it some serious thought, so your comments very much appreciated. Already got builders organized so that’s a start LOL I love the idea of adding stone on the outside to the turret part – but guessing that is as far as the budget would stretch. The siding is in good shape so need to stain it to work. Love the idea of pulling a color from the turret stone to do this. Will get a stone that has some of the log house gingery color in it and then stain the newer part of house a tone of this?? So far I’m sure we will · Rebuild the deck to run across the front of the house and form the roof over the front door entryway · Make the entry way wider and mud room inside bigger · Replace the small window to the bathroom with a door off the deck, matching the French doors. · Replace the tiny window in the turret with a longer one. · Cover turret with schist or stone cladding Not sure about replacing the windows under the deck. Added a picture of them from the inside. This living space is the hardest to figure out how to furnish in this house. It has quite a lot of light from a large window on the left wall - out of this shot - and across the back of the room through a wide door way to the room at the back. Thinking of opening up this wall? And from the inside they seem pretty well balance? Big problem in that room is that there is not a lot of places that we can use to create a sitting area. Need to get a couple of sofas in there and push them around to see what will work. It has 4 doors leading off and as you can see large log posts dotted about!! ANDd a stairwell going down to lower level and garages. Not a lot of space to play with. OK time for another coffee...its 7.30am down here!!

Thanks Ruth, I started off with browsing house values around the area, and Homes.co.nz is a good trade me site -spoke to agents for some tips. And now Im calculating how much I need done to give it a wow factor which is inline with the neighbourhood similar house valuation and one that was sold as well.. Its a long process Im sure - but hopefully being realistic and doing my homework diligently and plan it well-attention to details....it will somehow give me something to think about. Attention to cost specially. I have an excel spreadsheet to work on which my kind accountant taught me.....Feel free to contact me -we can share some tips etc. theres still a lot to plan before I embark oh hiring a designer/architect-for major changes as it needs to be properly drawn and submitted to council. (My motto =I hope it works on this is HAVE A PLAN, WORK ON IT AND GET IT RIGHT THE FIRST TIME.) TIME AND MONEY SAVER. Next would be a hunt for a builder that you can trust and rely on= it will be a nightmare to find a really good one for reasonable cost. I have no contacts for now. And hopefully after this Im praying I will have enough savings for me and my husband to retire...... Cheers, Shy email : shy@strange.net.nz Peary Road Mt Eden Auckland 0221393223

Like everything , it comes down to budget and 'value for money' -- generally both the cheapest but also the most expensive aren't the best options -- its doing things 'cleverly' . The entrance foyer looks like it may be a bit dark and closed in , but you don't really want to open the wall between it and the kitchen either . Not really in the 'brief' , but I'd look at opening up the doorway into the lounge -- I guess it depends whether you close that door often ? To me , the only way/place to get more room would be 'open' the double doors and however much more you can between the lounge and family room ( before you strike load bearing walls near the wood burner ) , move the dining room to the family room , and then basically do whatever you like with the kitchen , utilising the existing space and the existing dining space . That may work , or maybe you don't want to combine the lounge and family room , in the latter case maybe move the lounge to the existing family room , utilising the window seats and maybe downsize your lounge suite , wall mount a TV , etc . And then use the existing lounge as dining and family area ? None are ideal , but thats my 'off-the-top-of-my-head' thoughts .