Hi Stacy. I think weatherboarding will work for the look you're after. Would you paint it all one colour? My only worry was whether it would all be a bit one dimensional and whether the boarding would make the ground floor look lower ( I've drawn it out though and it doesn't seem to make any difference but that could be my lack of drawing skills!) I wonder if you could add a porch with weatherboard like this with either side of the front rendered and painted? The porch doesn't have to be as complex/expensive as this with the steps etc. I've had a similar size ŵall rendered and it was about £150 from memory so the cost would really be for the porch. Can you or your husband draw? It may be an idea to sketch out various options (with colour!) to see what you like then get quotes on the various options http://linleydevelopments.co.uk/portfolio/bungalow-to-a-chalet-style-conversion/#prettyPhoto[portfolio]/1/

Hi, It all depends on what your budget is. If you are on a very limited budget I'd consider the following: - Leave the existing units and get new doors; much less hassle than painting and cheaper than buying whole new cabinets. I'd look at light coloured gloss doors to reflect light - Change worktop to give an updated look... you could opt for wood effect, speckled or a plain block worktop. A good quality laminate worktop can last and give the effects of solid worktops at a fraction of the price. - Box in the boiler and pipes, A joiner should easily do this for you, makes the space look more neater and safer. - If you could replace tiles (may damage plastering), I'd go for an upstand and use scrubbable paint elsewhere with a glass splashback behind the cooker. This is a cheaper alternative to retiling or getting a full length glass splashback. Could you get integrated appliances? Good luck

After getting inspiration and ideas from your layout, I threw a budget out the window and started asking myself what would I do if money was no object. I started by tackling one of my bigger issues with the house - the 1970's facade. See front elevation view of house as it stands now: Current Facade: The layout below modernizes the face of the house (something I didn't think was possible) by making the main entrance on the ground floor - the 'Wow factor' comes from a double staircase on leading up to either the main hall or the sitting room, double height single pane windows mean both staircases are visible from the outside (Also letting tons of light through). The ground floor entrance is large enough to be used as a separate living space by itself (which is no harm as the staircase into the sitting room reduces its size. The only planning changes are to the centre section of the front facade. Updated Facade and Layout: Thinking the new front would look well finished with stone. Per your advice the fireplace is now moved to the side of the sitting room leaving a large centre window and the kitchen is now utilising the old utility space by removing the old kitchen W.C I also took the advice on Bed 3 but I have left the original master as is. The hotpress is now in Bed 3's old ensuite. I couldn't even hazard a guess on the cost of works detailed above.....

A box dormer with a pitched roof over the garage would give the house more presence. And I would rather see the windows with two vertical divisions rather than one uneven division. Personally I don’t mind the shutters and think their removal will likely show paint on the brickwork which is unsightly