Something I have noticed acutely since the outfit system was released, is that there are a number of new motifs that effectively are an upgraded version of the original racial motifs.
As opposed to asking for upgraded visuals for the basic racial motifs, what I would put forward is to garb NPCs in the base game in some of these new motifs. It would be a great way to upgrade the appearance of NPCs out of the, frankly, terribly basic motifs, and into something way better designed.
The Ordinators in Mournhold could be wearing the Militant Ordinator Motif, frankly one of the best designed motifs in the game.
Nords could wear the Bloodroot Forge style, Argonians, Mazzatun. Redguards could wear Abahs Watch, or Ragada if they are feeling flighty.
Wood Elves and Khajiit are kinda screwed of course, and High Elves will get a ton of new Motifs with Summerset I am sure.
Orcs have Ancient orc and Malacath to choose from
Bretons can keep their tin can armor, tbh, never liked the Bretons much.
It may be a somewhat half baked idea, but working on Cadwells SIlver and touring around Stonefalls and Deshaan, I just cant help but thinking, ah! Youre house Hlaalu, but why arent you wearing Hlaalu gear? Telvanni? Wheres your Telvanni Robes?
Why do the ordinators wear basic dunmer when theres a whole Motif for them to choose from that would be much more impressive, not to mention better designed with better textures.]
Anyway, just a thought to liven up some of the older zones with better armor styles on NPCs