Rebecca - try oiling the timber and see if this brings it up. Rub it in with some steel wool and it can do wonders to bring life into the timber again and it is quite quick to do. The worry with painting is once that is done, you can't go back. I'm assuming you live in an area of similar homes so for selling purposes, I would check out all homes currently on the market in your immediate area, go to open house days, see how they have been renovated and gauge potential buyer's response to them, ask questions as to just what they are looking for in a home. Agents will help you with this too. I spent a year doing this before I sold my home and learned a lot from it. There are just as many people out there who want to put their own stamp on a home as there are those with no vision who just want everything pretty. Your front door, while it doesn't allow much light, could well be a significant heritage piece for the home so a solar tube or 2 could be the answer to bringing light into the space. Colourful artwork on the walls will then help detract from all the panelling too. Good luck with it all.

Dear Carol, sorry it took me a while to write back - I have been away a bit lately. Yes the reno cost on this particular project was fairly high. To do something high end in a 3 bedroom unit you may need about $500,000.00 for kitchen, bathroom, laundry, custom cabinetry through out, new flooring, painting, furniture, window coverings etc. This renovation was absolutely everything. Similar to building a new home. Please let me know if you have any more questions. Kind regards, Jodie

Given the constraints on what the client wanted to keep and their budget, I think you've done a wonderful job. Especially like the large 'art works' you have chosen for the bedroom and living room. They put a much more modern stamp on those rooms and have allowed you to accent accessories to give cohesion and freshness. (Agree though that white wood work throughout would have been nicer - and a more interesting rug under the dining room table!)

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