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Help restoring Eichler in Palo Alto

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Joined: May 20, 2004

We are purchasing an Eichler in Greenmeadow in Palo Alto. We've previously remodelled 2 homes but this is the first Eichler. I've read through all the FAQ's and history, and talked to the neighbors.

Our home is VERY authentic....only two families in 40 years. It still has original kitchen, bathrooms, asbestos vinyl tile, single pane windows. House numbers, door knocker....closet doors with grasscloth....

The roof is 6 years old, the radiant still in good shape. The bedroom wing was sheetrocked. The luan needs to be restored but I can handle that, along with painting.

Problem:
The house is tired...very tired.....
My current priorities are
-retile the house
-replace windows/patio doors with dual pane aluminum
-do something to update bathrooms...they need new tile and fixtures at a minimum....and the cabinets are not very good.
My budget is decent but not huge, so I can't do everything. And I have remodelling experience, so 15K for updating a bathroom is not going to fly.

Questions:
1. Does anyone have contractor/tile recommendations in my area? My previous contractors have no Eichler experience.
2. How do I add some overhead lighting/fans in the bedrooms? Is that stylistically suspect?
3. How much is it really going to cost me to replace the big picture windows with dual pane.
4. the closet doors are really shabby looking. Can I make them look new/good again with sandpaper/paint/grasscloth wallpaper, or do I need to replace. If so, with what?
5. How can I tell, really, how much longer the T&G roof has?

I'd also like to freshen up the kitchen WITHOUT losing the character (and on a major budget, after I get done with windows and floors. It still has the painted slider door cabinets and formica counter. But the cabinet doors are electric blue...I'd rather mute them somewhat. Any ideas?
The kitchen appliances are pretty worn....can I replace with stock sizes or will I need to find a special oven or range?

thanks in advance for any suggestions or advice.
you can email me at [email protected] with any input.

Sallyh