Spectacular house in a great setting. I suggest simply getting an estimate for removing the fireplace now with accompanying roof reconstruction, then consider remodelling options for a full round of four seasons. You may choose to reconfigure the kitchen after using it for a year. The views - and interior illumination- will be even better when pruning is done at the appropriate season.

The wood ceiling would have darkened from its initial lighter color back in the 1970's. If it is pine, painting it will require lots of oil based primer. Whitewashing it may be easier because the knots will still show through, but you need a pro to advise you on just how that's going to look when the knots bleed through.

Painting the dark stained beams off white might be a good compromise. You could start by taping up some white shelf paper over a beam or two.

I'm a huge fan of your ceilings but would definitely paint them white. Same goes with your fireplace. Remove the bottom ledge or beef it up with a sitting hearth the entire width of the brick. Add a chunky reclaimed wood mantle. Paint is cheap. If you decide later to remodel you haven't spent a fortune. Beautiful home.

Forgot to add you could lave the beams natural to tie in with your mantel.

I'd love to see the other listing images if you are willing to post them.

If you remove the fireplace and paint the ceiling you are effectively removing the character and heartbeat of this home. Such a shame that the home couldn't have found a better suited owner who appreciates its Northwest Contemporary design and wants to update it sympathetically. Such a great space - and with amazing windows.

If you are going to use the house during winter months you might consider just reducing the size of the fireplace. Nothing feels better than a fire when arriving at a cold cottage. It might be a good idea to spray paint the ceiling before moving in. Even if the knots show that will just add to the charm.

I'd paint or whitewash the ceiling, leaving the beams natural. I'd leave the fireplace alone because it's nice looking and will look even better when the carpet is gone, but then again, I can't really see where the kitchen is. You may find that the brick is important structurally though...

Here are some examples of how it might look...

I like that best, but all white/whitewashed might be a nice cottage feel...

Anyway, hope this helps.

I have a 70's house and painted all the trim white, but left most cabinets and doors wood. The hollow core doors and closet doors were in poor shape and replaced with wood solid core paneled doors over time.

Start with painting the trim only. That is inexpensive and easy DIY. Use 2 coats of a good bonding primer - I like Zinsser 123 and 2 coats of a good top coat - I use a latex acrylic enamel. Just painting the trim in my house lightened it up considerably. This does look better with paneled doors than hollow core ones. You can paint the hollow core ones for now and replace with nicer either white or wood paneled doors. This will give you the flexibility to keep some parts wood and paint others. For example I painted a dark bookcase white, but left the fireplace mantel wood. Laundry room and one bath have white cabinets, kitchen and other bathrooms have wood cabinets.

The ceiling may not be a problem after the trim is painted.

White trim with wood doors:

Please do not remuddle that house into bland generica painted wood blah blah blah. It has absolutely fabulous bones. That fireplace is supporting the roof, and you might as well knock the whole house down as remove it and start ripping out original details, and painting everything.

I would love to have your ceilings. Please think twice about painting them white as it's hard to change. Also, you'll lose the charm of the home. You might want to consider new furniture and perhaps even a different floor. Happy 2016!

i personally love the white cieling beam look

I would re-face that big brick fireplace as well with something a little lighter. That great room has some major potential.

I have beamed knotty pine ceilings in my home. I would first start by washing the ceiling and beams with a rag, some warm water and Murphy's oil soap. My ceilings had decades of grime on them and they lightened up considerably. It's a big job but will be worth the elbow grease, and be good prep if you do decide to paint.

I think I'd leave all the '70s details as-is but redo the kitchen.

Eliminate the pink carpet and pale blue walls, which is likely making your ceilings look more orange. Put in a light gray carpet. Paint the walls a fresh white.

I like the wood ceiling, but you are the owner. Here is an example of pickled knotty pine. It lets some of the wood character show through.

Leave the beams brown.

I join others on the idea of changing this beautiful home into something other than what it is. . . . Love the precious home or sell it to someone that will. Taking out it's heart by removing the fireplace is crazy. . . maybe a face lift, they can be changed pretty easily, but to take it out completely is a shame. . . Might as well go buy a cookie cutter home.

Agreed with Rusty Empire. This house has a lot of character. My advice is to move in and make some cosmetic changes before you decide to remove the elements that made this house special when it was built. I just moved into a 1976 home with a natural brick fireplace and water views. I hated the fireplace and was all set to paint it white. I replaced the baby blue shag carpet with character walnut custom flooring and painted over the peach walls with Benjamin Moore Owl Grey and all of a sudden the fireplace looks really awesome. So glad I didn't paint it!

Start with the ceilings since they are the main way to lighten the look. You could paint them white, but I think whitewashing them would look better, even if (or especially if) the knots bleed through somewhat. Leave the beams and posts as is for contrast (they are few and far between and won't have much effect on the total brightness of the space). I'd think long and hard about removing the fireplace though. It will be very expensive and totally change the character of the house. Get some contractors in to give you ideas and cost estimates for various options. And paint the walls and take out the carpet.

I can't see the kitchen very well, but how about moving the kitchen. . . put it where the ? dining room is, and put the dining room where the kitchen is? That would seperate the dining from living, and give you the open concept you are looking. The kitchen appears to be pretty small and basic, so shouldn't be allot to pull it out and move the water to where you want it. ???? That way you would not have changed the integrity of the design.?