Thank you so much. I looked at floor decor and home depot and did not find anything else that that keeps the sophistication and lightness without the obvious gray faux-stripe effect or too dark. if you have a favorite oaky color/brand or stores please share.

a vanity doesn't need to match your cabinetry.

Open the space when you remodel and look for a thrifted antique desk to use as a makeup vanity.

When budget allows fill the space with a cabinet that works for your needs... sometimes that's a blessing, it will give you a chance to add something unique AND decide what you really need in storage and ease of use.

Melfairm, I understand your original question and your concern about the TONE of subsequent comments. I too have had situations with contractors where there were concerns and they try to make you think there’s either no issue or want to push a quick, but not best fix to save themselves time and money. So asking experts for advice prior to the conversation makes sense to me. It also seems folks on this forum routinely respond with a condescending and rude tone under the guise of honesty. Honesty does not require rudeness.

you didn't mention the style you were heading into.

I'd look for a round dining table that could expand to an oval, to break up the long room.

a celery linen upholstery sounds lovely, SW Reserved White is a great white with a hint of green. I'd break the rooms up into designated areas but adding a sofa table to separate the entry path from the living room (sofa back to the entry path) including a long runner rather than a small mat by the front door.

separate the dining area from the living room with a credenza... I like the patterned rug, the burgundy/wine is a great compliment to celery green.

If you are keeping the hutch/cabinet what woods are you liking for a table/furniture?

Will you keep all the existing decor style?

I am not Joseph. For one thing, I am not a man. :) But in any case- I am sure that Joseph Corlett LLC will have great info and insights for you - and will address this much more eloquently than I will (and have already done.)

You need another granite. Alternatively, perhaps a quartzite will work for your lifestyle. Quartz is not an option. If you want a marble look, I have already suggested Formica Calacatta Cava. You will have similar issues with the laminate... and will need to be more mindful of your habits; but there are a number of advantages:

1. It is less costly than quartz. So in the event that you and wife damage/destroy it - it is much more cost effective to replace. Damaging and needing to replace quartz is potentially cost prohibitive. So you would possibly end up just living with it.

2. The Calacatta Cava would be my personal choice, regardless - because, imo, it is a much more realistic marble-type look, than anything I have seen in quartz.

I usually try to position furniture so you can take advantage of the view out a window, but in your space I like the sofa under the window because it really opens up the room.

@K Laurence, I have a house with a near-wrap-around porch with a copper roof that is verdigris green. I posted on Houzz asking for advice on painting it (it was battleship gray at the time). The first poster hated my "green" roof and suggested that the house didn't need painting (it absolutely did need painting) but needed a new roof in a better color. Every subsequent poster, even if they did mention paint color, prefaced their comment with a need for a "better" roof, so recommended colors that didn't go with my roof.

I love my roof, which didn't need to be replaced, was copper and slate, so no way was I going to replace that with a "better" color of asphalt shingles, and even if I wanted to, it wasn't in the budget.

@cat_ky yes! thats a picture of my current yard! :) Thank you!

As we’ve been looking at more shingle options, i agree. A lot of the architecture shingles look like a patch work quilt…and would probably be too busy for the brick.

I had this size toilet room in a bath and found it awkward to close the door which swung inward. As a practical matter I did not close the door if I was alone and if someone else was in the other part of the bath I would not use the toilet. I would rethink whether it is something you really want and consider leaving it open. A pocket door would be better but they are not great either, it looked good in the magazines I saw but didn’t add to functionality.