Don't you just love that "Can a person get some PRIVACY around here!!??" look... Another vote for hardwood in a warm mid-tone, and a zippy area rug. I'd put your end table somewhere else, put a swing arm floor lamp there toward the back corner of the sofa, and move that wonderful safe in front of the lamp to use as the end table. Then I'd move the Windsor chair around to sit beside your school desk, and hang the mirror that is now over your other sofa over the two of them, but keep it much lower - about 6" higher than the desk top. (You can move the chair when you are actually using the desk.) I'd tidy up the bookcases, add some photos or pottery or ironstone or brass things or any combination thereof here and there. Then I'd put a long galvanized or copper plant tray filled with pebbles on the top of the bookcase and set lush plants in it, to take advantage of all that nice light, and warm up the wall and the room. I'd find a pair of big tall vertical prints you really like (repros of old travel posters, or beautiful black and white photographs, or botanicals, or whatever you are fond of), hang them side by side where the mirror is now, also much lower, with a pair of swing-arm lamps beside them.

Patty - thanks for your perspective! We do need the lamps as they are arranged, because we use them at different times - usually not all at once. And no, the room doesn't feel like a Starbucks with a small chair in the corner; in fact, it feels perfect and complete with that chair there. I'm really excited that the new chair has already shipped and should be here on Saturday. Last night I arranged the books on the shelves and am amazed at how few books we actually have in contrast to the space now available to put them on! I love the look though. I especially love that we can now easily locate our reading material. In our previous home the books were scattered all over the place - upstairs, downstairs, and all points in between. I really like storing them in one central location. I know I do tackle and complete projects quickly. I just can't stand to have things that I want to do and not do them if the budget permits. Having recently closed on our old home, we are in a better position to move forward on the new house. DH really can't stand unfinished projects, and actually stresses when things aren't worked to completion. So that kinda works to my advantage as well. ;-) I know we all do things differently though, at our own pace. There's absolutely nothing wrong with taking one's time! Anitamo, thanks for asking about our kitchen cabinets. That job has been completed, and they look fantastic. A crew came out and pretty much dismantled the kitchen, rebuilt a few things and redid the finish on the cabinets. We are very pleased with the way they addressed the problem.

rmverb - agreed. I did sort of a hybrid of that - I planned and laid out the low voltage locations and types, and paid my electrician to actually run the wire (which I purchased as well to make sure it was quality) in the walls. Once the sheetrock and paint are up I'll terminate everything on both ends (they have tools now which make this rather easy). It'll take him 2 days, which means it would take me 4 - and I just don't have the time or interest in that. My DIY time can be spent much better - both economically and enjoyment wise. If you don't mind my asking, how much are you paying per drop? I have about 40 drops, and with the cost of wire, boxes, plates, etc. It'll end up around $1600, or $40 per drop. I saw from other posts that new development builders charge around $100 (though of course that includes termination).

I agree with the others who advised to not spend a lot. I probably wouldn't even change the countertops (I lived with horrific counters for 20 years before remodeling a kitchen very similar to yours). New paint, knobs or pulls, and a range hood (even if it's recirculating instead of exhaust to the outside) will freshen it up a lot. I would keep the existing appliances - I think white and oak are OK together. Get a little MW - you have a lot of counter space. I have a cute little MW with a curved back that tucks neatly into a corner - I love it. But I will temper my remarks - and remind Kitchen forum regulars here - that we see kitchens differently than normal people (those not TKO - totally kitchen obsessed). We see lack of drawers, and DW in the prep zone, and no hood, and we can think of 20 ways to improve the function. We understand that the color of an appliance isn't as important as its location. But the reality is that the average HGTV watcher (and likely the majority of home buyers) don't care what the layout is, or how inefficient the storage is, as long as there are granite counters and SS appliances. We also tend to focus more on the kitchen. I like to look at houses for sale, and I don't care how spectacular the view, or how great the neighborhood, or how big the closets - if the kitchen has a stove in the island (or some other major sin), I'm done looking. I suspect normal people prioritize differently. miamuimeg, I suggest you check with a local realtor, or look online, to see what houses hat are selling in your neighborhood look like, and to learn what people want in a house in your price range. That will give you the very best idea of cost-efficient upgrades vs. wastes of money.