Anonymous wrote:OP here; thanks for everybody's thoughts and ideas. After the purchase of this house, I will unfortunately not have a lot of disposable income to update and replace things very quickly. I will likely try to do things slowly and incrementally. I like peoples' thoughts on changing out the lighting or painting because those may not cost a lot and could be the best bang for the buck.

For those that say that certain things are proper for a certain period, what exactly does that mean? This house was built in 1960 and I'd like to see what was typical for that period (not sure if I'll like it or not).

Keep it coming!!

15:58 here. We are just saying that the railings are an original feature of the house. It was a popular style during the time your house was built. It makes the house interesting. taking those features away will take some of the character out of your home. that said, it's your house and if you really hate it, then don't feel too bad about changing it.

Paint--replace white with black. I would also consider painting the exterior window frames black.

I would NOT do floor to ceiling bookcases. It would block the open and airy feeling. However, I would consider a low--30" bookcase to replace the rail in the living room.

http://www.google.com/search?um=1&hl=en&client=safari&biw=1024&bih=672&tbm=isch&sa=1&q=half+wall+molding&oq=half+wall+molding&gs_l=img.3..0i24.79822.83581.0.84152.17.13.0.4.4.5.166.1252.5j7.12.0...0.0...1c.1.7.img.V7V9W_iJTFQ#biv=i%7C1%3Bd%7Cb_2etqOVM2ZguM%3A

Like this, but taller (bar height).

http://www.google.com/search?q=half+wall+ledge&oe=UTF-8&hl=en&client=safari&um=1&ie=UTF-8&tbm=isch&source=og&sa=N&tab=wi&ei=ABBLUYXOFMrX0QH8ioG4Bg&biw=1024&bih=672&sei=HRBLUZrQDKfa0QG6u4H4Dw#biv=i%7C39%3Bd%7CcqOaaonkp4vHpM%3A

Sort of like this half wall, but I would make it bar height, lose the column, and put a wider plank white ledge on top. And the white molding is important. We put molding on the baseboard and directly under the ledge.

If you have kids, and replace the railing with a low bookcase, the kids can then climb the bookcase to drop down the other side. I think that's a safety hazard until they hit a certain age.

If you make a taller bookcase, you chop up the open plan and reduce light flow, making the areas dark.

I'd actually keep the metal. It fits the era and the design elements are kinda neat. Make them pop a little by putting some 50's colors on the walls.

Inside, we replaced a railing like that with a half wall with a wide plank ledge on top and crown molding under the ledge. We had it built higher than hip height to avoid having anyone sit on it. It looked nicer than a railing....more polished. The framing and molding are key.

OP, I would pick a dark paint color and paint the railings and trim outside the house. It would give an immediate facelift to the house without spending much money. I would leave the railings for a while until you have enough money to do the job right, if you do decide to replace them. It's best to live in the house for a while and see what works and what doesn't before you start changing things.

I would NOT paint the brick. That defeats the advantage of brick. The brick is not lovely Colonial brick, but it's appropriate to the period of the house. Painting the brick would look nicer, yes, but the value of the house (to someone like me) would be lower as a result. There are upgrades you can do without painting brick.

Likewise, I'd paint the metal railing inside the house, but don't replace it until you've lived in the house for a while. You may end up liking or hating it, but you can't know that until you live there.

It looks like a great house, OP. Enjoy it!

I replaced my metal railing with wrought iron balusters and an oak handrail. I did it for the split level stair (the stair going up and the platform) and would upload a picture if I could figure out how to do it.

The total cost was about $2,000.

OP here; thanks for everybody's thoughts and ideas. After the purchase of this house, I will unfortunately not have a lot of disposable income to update and replace things very quickly. I will likely try to do things slowly and incrementally. I like peoples' thoughts on changing out the lighting or painting because those may not cost a lot and could be the best bang for the buck.

For those that say that certain things are proper for a certain period, what exactly does that mean? This house was built in 1960 and I'd like to see what was typical for that period (not sure if I'll like it or not).

Keep it coming!!

For chandeliers, keep your eyes peeled on www.onekingslane.com and www.jossandmain.com for occasionally really great deals. (Sometimes not so great deals). When the right one appears, pounce on it!

Here to dissent about getting rid of the fireplace insert, at least until you can afford a better replacement. They are practical, and I am betting that it was installed to deal with a draft down the flu.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We just bought a similar style split foyer and had issues with old railings also. Except ours were old worn down wood railings with openings large enough for my 2 yr old to walk right through. I actually don't mind your iron railings, depending out how you decorate it could go with some styles. I'd try and update the brass chandelier and fireplace before I worried about the railing (see below).

We have old brick on the lower half of the exterior (vinyl on the top unfortunately. We're considering painting our brick a similar color to the siding, hopefully helping to modernize it as others have suggested.

We also had an old brass fireplace insert and we decided to paint it black. Just sand it down a little, tape of the areas you don't want painted and spray on the color of your choice (we went black and looks SO much better).

We also had the same chandelier in the foyer and we just replaced it as well, changed the look of the room substantially.

Would you mind saying what you replaced the chandelier with? I am not a fan of that brass looking one currently in the house now.

What do you think of the big black exterior light at the front of the house?

Here is the chandelier we went with. http://www.lightinguniverse.com/chandeliers/george-kovacs-p1455-613-5-light-squared-chandelier_g691923.html?isku=6235121&linkloc=cataLogProductItemsImage

Depends on how you decorate the rest of your place, ours is along the lines of mid-century modern, and we thought this played to both the old and new. Lots of choices out there though. Almost anything is better than the brass!

Those railings are fantastic! I would not replace them at all!

Have you considered painting them? I am trying to think of a great color for the outside railings, but I'm kind of stumped. Maybe a terra cotta color? That would allow you to keep them, but they would blend in quite a bit.

Inside, if it were my house, I would find a fantastic, bold color for that railing and design the entire room around it. You could do anything from a subtle taupe to bright red or yellow. As long as it goes with your decor, I can't think of a color that wouldn't work. I would also get rid of that insert (but don't paint the brick!), and replace the foyer fixture. Also, slap some paint on those walls! This room would be so fun to work with. Jealous.

I would get rid of that lamp post or replace it.

Enjoy your new home. It's beautiful!

I have similar metal railings inside my house. Does anyone know how much it would cost to replace them? The railing would only be one stairway and it is a small townhouse.

I'm not ready to contact a contractor for an estimate because this upgrade is last in line after some other work thst needs to be done.

Man, it's hard to find pics of updated split levels! Here is one:

http://www.renovationdesigngroup.com/portfolio/38.asp

Something like this could work for you, too. You don't need to put a full balcony up, however. I think getting rid of the paneling-stuff (whatever that is) between the left windows would do wonders. You could paint the entire house. Instead of a balcony, just add a trellis of some sort. A porch area to the left (that is accessible and really just an extension) of the current entry stoop I think would add some grandeur. It would be lovely to have the foundation of that porch be the same stone as your retaining wall and stairs, for continuity.

Not sure if the natural wood here appeals to you, but if not, just go with some sort of wood-look-alike product of not real wood. I'm not even a casual hobbiest of building materials.