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

You know, now that I'm looking at this again, I would probably have to say I like the panels better than the valance -- however, I think two things initially threw me off. I agree that there's maybe too much panel. (And, as a hobby sewer I would personally NOT go to a fabric place to have my drapes made -- especially panels -- because they would charge way too much. If you did want custom panels, but you don't sew yourself, maybe go to your local fabric store, and see if they have business cards for local people that could sew for you, if you buy the fabric. Or see if there's anyone you know that could do it.) Also, could you have a more substantial rod. Seems to me something a little thicker might look a little better. And, one last thing, if you don't mind me babbling on (^_^), while I like the mirror you have over the mantle, I would personally replace it. I think on some decorating show I saw that they suggest against it, because when you're sitting (and really, standing, depending on the height of the mirror and wall), all you see reflected in the mirror is ... the ceiling. I would suggest either moving it (along with either other pictures/sconces/mirrors) to the blank wall, or get a larger mirror to put on that wall -- as a plus, it would reflect the light from the window opposite it. (It's hard to tell dimenions, but even a narrow console table against that wall might look good.) Oh, and random, but I agree with getting a more substantial side table to put in between the couch and chair, instead of the small pedestal table. Anywho, just some thoughts! ^_^ (And I hope you show piccies of your kitchen when you start on that.)

K. Lawrence. So one chair in the corner, beside the TV hutch, closest to the drapes? And the other chair would face the French doors, perpendicular to the sofa? Hopefully, I’m making sense! I’ve thought about possibly bringing in a new chair entirely, so it wouldn’t look strange if the chairs are split up.

Your view is fantastic! I like the idea of mounting the t.v. in the bookcase. Perhaps you can add a smaller bookcase to the den and bring some of your books in there if you're going to make it a reading room. I agree with bringing the green chair up to the conversation area at a right angle to the sofa. Perhaps then you could find a smaller cabinet to put under the opening to hold your record player and components. I also like the idea of grouping your plants in front of the small window between the two bookcases. It looks as though you would have room for a longer sofa in the den if you keep the coffee table but add slender floor lamps on either side for reading. If you would like to keep the dining table where it is, consider swagging a light fixture over to it to define the space. I think this space has the potential to have a cozy, eclectic, lived in bungalow feel with just a few small changes!