I would say keep as many original details and charm as you can!

I actually find DT Allentown to be a charming place with huge potential.

Worked like a charm and did not drain my wallet ;<)).

The worst scam artists are highly charming people. 

It's very much an up and coming area; a lot of young movers and shakers are coming in and setting up shop in its rustic charm, investing in the local businesses and culture, and it seems like the local government is riding that wave, investing in public areas and roads.

I'm telling you, that one change added 5-10% to the property because it pops now and has tons of charm. 

I digress...Birmingham is a charming city with good weather, great food, and a certain comfort to life. 

I'm not saying IKEA is necessarily bad but it doesn't have the charm of what you might find used especially if you want your place to stand out.

I for example don't like Vail as IMHO its essentially a glorified truck stop, sterile, with none of the old cowboy charm of a place like Breckenridge, Crested Butte, Aspen or Telluride. 

One of the charms of living in a small town is being near nature and having a close knit community.