Nate posted some great questions that I'll try to answer quickly here!

1. What are we going to do with the exterior?
   
   That's a great question! I'd actually like to toss that one out to all of our readers for input. I'm going to make a poll that you can access and give us your input. We're really struggling with this. Ideally, I'd like to strip off all the paint and return it to the original brick color, which you can see HERE. There are actually two bands of limestone or sandstone detailing that run around the building just below the windows. I think it would be gorgeous to get that back to it's original state with white windows and some other accent color for the trim work as well as the Victorian gingerbread features on the exterior. However, what's the best way to do that? I've heard over and over that sand or media blasting just destroys the integrity of the brick, so I want to stay away from that. The best fix seems to be a product called Peel Away. I'm not sure how long that would take or how expensive it would be, but I'm guessing that project would take REALLY long compared to just giving the house a facelift with new paint colors. The new addition will certainly be painted (Hardy-siding), but it will be a different color than the house and it'd be fun to have it stand out from the brick! So that's the dilemma: repaint or Pell Away?
   
   
2. What colors have we been considering?
   
   I think that we will repaint in a clay red color. And perhaps do the addition in some earthy brown-tone. We like rich colors, so I could see doing some regal Victorian colors that would accent the brick red - like purples or greens to go along with the white window trim. I think that we will probably try to use the red color of the house as an accent color to the brown on the garage addition. But we're still discussing this with our designer - so I'll let you know what we decide when we get there!
   
   
3. Are we going to replace the missing turret?
   
   In short - not a chance. Frankly, it was really ugly! I'll try to find a picture of it so you can see it... but it just didn't do anything for the house and didn't serve any useful function as living space, either. However, we ARE going to replace the missing dormer/gable on the South face of the house above the front porch. It got blown off in the same tornado and I think it'll really help balance out the house. It'll be designed to look like THIS window on the East face of the home: The only difference will be that it will go all the way up to the 3rd story roof, allowing for a small walk-out porch off of the attic space that we plan to renovate. It will be a great place to hang out and enjoy the view of White Bear Lake, which is less than one block away from that face of the house! The house was originally situated so that the South and East sides both had spectacular views of the lake. The property was parceled and sold to developers who built between the lake and the house, so the view is slightly obstructed by newer homes and some trees now. It's still a great view, though!