Hello, Old Friends! My goodness, I can't believe how tardy this is. I found this thread some time ago and have been meaning to come back and comment. THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!!! The emails in the hospital were a real pick-me-up. I think I still have them somewhere -- I must find and re-read them some time. Mistress Mary did indeed bring me a water hyacinth in the hospital, and was an amazing help to me during my convalescence, and not only then! She's a real peach. So anyway, yeah, it was an ordeal, not something I'd care to repeat, but I had excellent care and have recovered well, though it's been a long process. What actually happened was that the anticipated 2 surgical days turned into 3, because the neurosurgery part of Day 1 took much longer than anticipated. I was in hospital and rehab for a total of 6 weeks, with a few days home between the second and third operations. I didn't mean to abandon you all. At the time I was more active in a forum for people with spine issues like mine, for obvious reasons, and since then I've been absent because I'm too compulsive and when I'm active here I tend to get nothing else done. I'm currently experiencing one of ponding's worst waking nightmares (muskrats trashed my liner -- agh!), so this seemed as good a time as any to pop in and say my much-belated thank-you's. With a little luck maybe I'll learn to manage my time better and stick around! (Yes, this is really me. I couldn't remember my NorahS login, and I'd rather spell my name forward, anyway.)

I went ahead and moved the highboy and bed position. Bad news is that I don't think the daybed centered under the window idea is going to work as it leaves only around 20" per side which seems a waste of space. So then I will need to scratch my plan to use the panels--unless I can shorten them? I can get a top valance in either pattern--DD likes the sheer dots, though will wait to finalize until other items are finalized. I also had ordered a lime lamp in case it started looking like too much aqua. On the paint front, DD has one lime green accent wall now. I don't think the desk really works with color. If I keep furniture the present color I will need to go with a real light wall color--still sifting through my options here and will wait until my FLOR samples come in on the 13th. I feel a solid rug is best for her as her room starts looking very "busy" easily with all her paranephilia. I mostly want the rug to protect my hardwood floor (only three years old). Already there are 3 ink stains which I've mostly gotten out--but if there are any stains, I'd rather the rug is stained and not the floor. I didn't much care for the desk next to the dresser as I had before so moved it. I do like that oak hutch bookcase for the storage, may keep it awhile or swap it out with the new bookcase at some point. I can definitely say I am glad for the additional storage of the highboy since DD is a pack-rat! Old dresser will go but am keeping there for now since it has all her clothes. So, what do you think in terms of furniture layout? No where else for the bed really if I want to have access to the trundle. I did find another bed couple of daybed options on CL. I'd rather not paint this one since it's part of a set. DS has other bed. Funny I've toyed with painting his black, but can't seem to paint either because it's a "set." Either of these grab anyone? Would paint the wooden parts. Wooden one with slats. May be more comfy? http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sby/fuo/1544828496.html Or this one? http://sfbay.craigslist.org/scz/fuo/1545041069.html Or this one? http://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/fuo/1544721809.html Or keeping looking?

Carol- I agree on the barrier and sometimes I think I would like it and sometimes no. What I DO like is what the ID said - same amount of furniture so essentially you have 2 potential layouts that you can use as you see fit and THAT is awesome. Here is ours - so our kitchen is where your dining room is. We have about 8' from the perimeter of the island and where I think the back of the couch will be. Plenty of space there. We are discussing furniture needs for the future. Our current couch is rather long - 7.5 feet... I think if we weren't doing a whole house at once I would have pursued RTA but it's too overwhelming. We purchased 2 36" (with filers to accommodate the depth of the stone) wide vanity height cabinets from the KD. It was about $900 for the 2 of them. I showed him the balance - all he sees is $ signs! So yes for now 2 sections. :( He said my 'visions' are more than we can afford. Hahaha - not that he's off base there. We wil likely end up with a hybrid similar to this (of course we don't have the windows and we DO have a hearth). He is adamant about not having a shelf or anything above the TV. We are still in negotiations....lol. :) [Traditional Living Room[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/traditional-living-room-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_718~s_2107) by Golden Valley Design-Build Firms Gonyea Homes & Remodeling

This kind of reminds me of my current house and why I want to move. Room C is completely wasted space for us as a formal living/dining room except for the holidays. We have an eat-in kitchen that we use day to day. Room A is our family room with the TV, kids toys, etc, and I have great views of my son while I'm in the kitchen. That's the same set up I'm looking for in my next house, just a bigger Room A so there's a good balance of space between the toys and the couch/TV. Since my son was born, we all end up in Room A anyways on family holidays because that's where his toys are and all the grandparents want to be around him, KWIM? So, in my opinion, and based on how you said you like to live, I'd have Room A as the family area with the items that will keep your kids in there the most (toys and game table in A, piano and books in C?). Room B would be the Office/den so you could hopefully still hear or sometimes see the kids thru the pass-thru through the kitchen and into Room A. And Room C would be a more formal living area with the dining table as you mentioned previously for Room A. I think the breakfast bar could remain as such and serve the purpose of a table. However, if I HAVE to pick one of your options, I'd probably go with Option 1. Where would your computer go otherwise if you chose Option 2? I think having a second living area in Room A would either end up even more as wasted space, or everyone (and all their "stuff" from Room C) would gravitate there anyway because most of the action in a home centers around the kitchen anyway. Tough decision! Good luck!! Here is a link that might be useful: