When I said I wanted high ceilings I did not mean.....

Our "resident" home inprovement guy was painting the living room.  This was supposed to be a simple project to keep him busy during the winter when it is freezing out and to brighten my mood.  It is hard living with brown walls and the color was intimidating. As he was on the ladder he realized that the ceiling was brutally cold and the pot lights were allowing a ton of cold air into the space.  Then he noticed the floor... when you walk into the space the floor is level from left to right but when you get to the windows there is a 2" step at one end of the room.  Half the living room was once an enclosed porch...

The next thing I know is that the floor is coming up and that the door is being removed....Right now you can see the basement from my living room and the living room from my basement.  I know this is important and I am thankful BUT I was not prepared for this.