2010 Reader Remodel Winner: From Blank Slate to Charming Cape

But where to start? The grim reality was, we needed a water heater right away, and pipes and wiring needed replacing. We did small things, painting the dining room, replacing the stove, and adding a stone path, a trellis, and picket fencing outside. The house looked better, but that tin siding still glared at us every time we came up the drive. And the old screened porch was useless much of the year.

Shown: This little-used porch would eventually be closed up, and put to better use as a living space addition.