Thanks for the compliments! Dh although not employed as one, is a carpenter by trade so he built it all. The wide shelves are braced, it's just not visible. No need to worry. I have a lot less books than I thought I did! We are trying to collect some from freecyle and friends (one who just threw hundreds away :( ) Dh will also be building some slide out boxes to store misc junk in (toys, wii accessories etc). All of the shelves are 10" deep except for the unit the tv is on. That is 20". 10 is perfect. 8 would be to shallow for my non fiction stuff. The novels are faced to the front of the shelf. I have no idea what to do for curtains. We were originally going to use the ones that are there now and hem them to fit but they look horrible. They are too light and flimsy for the room. Not sure if I should go patterned or not, what colour, curtains, blinds or shades. No clue. I like these but I think black might be too much seeing as the window frame and bookshelves are black. I'm going to go out Friday night and see what I can find. The stripes are wallpaper. It was a spur of the moment decision when we were leaving through the wall covering aisle.

Hello All. We bought a home in Ca. built in the mid 70's that has a sunken living room. We did not really think too much about it when we bought it. Yes, I think it is a 70's dated look but the views, school district and location were the selling points. I LOVE my house. It has been 12 years since we bought it and I have entertained a lot! No one has ever fallen. My Mom and Dad moved in with me in their 90's and can navigate the step down. That said my foyer is sautillo tile in a reddish brown color and there are 3 steps down to the cream carpeted living room directly opposite the large foyer. I too have large floor to ceiling windows opposite the entrance probably for dramatic effect, a huge floor to vaulted ceiling fireplace with large hearth on the left and a wrought iron railing to the right dividing the foyer level dining room from the living room. Rather odd in today's design world. The wrought iron railing extends down the stairs on the dinning room side. So with the railing, several steps and a cream carpet in the living room there may be enough visual cues for the transition. This room did have a sunken bar within it when we bought it. That was very odd as the bartender/bar was at waist height when standing in the room. LOL we floored it over to make the room all one level!

About your couch, I would look for a more mid tone color than off white, which won't stay white very long with a little one. I would look for a firm back so that the cushions won't slide around, and at least somewhat rolled, softer side arms so that you can lounge against the sides and not hit any hard spots anywhere. Pay particular attention to the depth of the sofa (measuring the side from front to back). In an apartment you don't want any furniture that gobbles up space. Twelve feet is rather narrow so the size factor is very important. In style the first sofa of your part 3 post seems the closest to the inspiration pictures where you asked what style this was. When shopping you can say that you're looking for a sofa for an apartment which has a fairly thin rolled arm and fixed back cushions. You then need to decide whether you want a skirted sofa, as in your second picture, or a more modern look without skirts as in your first picture. The one without skirts would be considered more modern whereas the skirted one is more traditional. That's something you can ask your wife about!

I have this, also off the entry. I’m not into “formal” rooms in houses considering I actually live there! I’ve designated mine as the “casual room”. My house is still being painted right now but this room will have a daybed, some casual chairs, all of my plants and possibly a bar car or cabinet when finished. My style is more boho/eclectic though so my dining room furniture is not formal whatsoever. Your room looks like a good candidate for a sitting/conversation area. You could put a large bookshelf or bar cabinet on that back wall. Depends on your lifestyle. Do you have another eating area? Will you actually be using the dining room? If not, I would eliminate the idea that a dining table has to go there and look at the two spaces as one big space and find a purpose for it that way. Of course, this is lifestyle dependent and needs to function the best for your family. I will say, however, that carpet in a dining room is not ideal in the slightest.