patches_02: " Didn't they on the end of the piece make like a square pillar style thing, then put the shelves in open area." Yes, they did. I had forgotten about it. I don't recall if it was a structural thing (load bearing) or cosmetic, to "anchor" the display area to the rest of the wall. It looked really nice, and I think would be perfect for this area. I don't remember the episode. It was probably Designed to Sell, which is on at lunchtime here and the only time I am likely to watch because of the time of day. IÂm pretty sure it was one of their "fix it up to sell it" shows. It might be the show with the British guy (Clive?) as host. I think I remember the show ending with an open house, and people oohing and ahhhing over those shelves. IÂm not sure about how to search their website; IÂve had problems tracking down shows. As far as the angled table: we always had to turn the table around for big dinners and extend it into the foyer. But I wouldnÂt want to compromise my daily environment for the sake of occasional events; and take out the walls just for that. Someone (usually me) is always squeezed in the corner, no one minds. We also serve buffet style rather than having the serving dishes on the table. That saves space for seating and place settings.

Hi Randi! Wow, what a surprise to see this post pop back up. In fact, I have been away from here for a long time but I just noticed email this morning from your post. Thank goodness that email thing worked! The living room is Benjamin Moore Moroccan Red (1309). The dining room is Benjamin Moore York Harbor Yellow (2154-40). Hope that helps. Good luck with your rooms. Thanks, chardie. I still love the Manchester Tan in the family room. Thinking of painting my foyer that color...

Pricklypearcactus - that is a pretty sofa. Were you thinking that I'd put the long part of the sofa down the wall opposite my currnet sofa and have the chaise stick out along the kneewall? dd50 (and everyone else) -- I'm glad you all agree that this is a tough room - I was afraid I was just missing something obvious. I think maybe (maybe this weekend, if I can sweet talk the hubby into helping, LOL!) the best thing for me to do is drag the chair and ottoman out of the room (not so easy, as the chair folds out into a bed and is very heavy!) and try putting other stuff into the room -- I can borrow the sofa and chairs from the formal living room and play around to see what looks best. I wish I had the ability to picture stuff in my head without actually having to see it in front of me, but I just don't -- I have no spatial visualization skills whatsoever. (Anyone else have this problem?) I've tried and tried with floor planning software and photoshop and cardboard boxes and painters tape and still, it always looks different (and usually worse!) than I expected in real life. So my only choice is playing dollhouse with real furniture, which my dh hates. But I just remind him that it's cheaper/easier than having me buy the wrong size furniture over and over. If I do get the chance to rearrange, I'll take pics of the different versions and you all can vote! Oh, about the TV. It's relatively new and not a flat screen (the built in area for the TV is taller than it is wide and most flat screens are wider than they are tall, so in order to get the most screen size, we went with a regular TV -- we're possibly the last people on earth to buy a new non-flat-screen! I've considered putting a flat screen TV above the fireplace but a) the fireplace is very much a 1700s colonial farmhouse style mantel and a big flat screen would ruin the look and b) the woodstove that's tucked into the fireplace pretty much heats our entire house all winter, so that mantel and everything on it is boiling HOT for half the year -- I have heard that so much heat is not good for electronics although some sites I've seen say TV's are ok above working fireplaces, so who knows?? I assume though, that our woodstove probably cranks out a lot more heat than a regular fireplace for a lot longer period of time (we'll burn it for a couple months straight without letting it go out), and that just seems like asking for a fried TV set. I did think about getting one of those slide-out swivel mounts so we could pull the TV out a bit and swivel it for better viewing on the other side of the room -- that would solve the TV viewing issue, but I know that the TV would always stay pulled out -- we'd never slide it back in cause we're lazy like that -- and I think that might look bad. Also, I was worried that with the TV slid-out on a mount, it might be dangerous for my kids (they could pull it down on themselves) but now that they're older, I guess that's not a concern anymore. So maybe I will also look into one of those -- anybody have one or know of good place to find TV mount type stuff?

Okay- couch is still against the windows. Rug is turned sideways... looks much better!! rings from the curtains are moved outside the brackets. (and all curtain rods, blinds, and window sills are dusted, as is the top of the EC!!! Yipeee! :) lol. I am liking this more and more. Regarding moving the couch opposite the fireplace- that seems to be the most popular idea. The reason I put it where it is in the above photo (best seen in the 3rd photo where I showed different arrangements) is because then the rug is centered in the room (with the windows and entertainment center.) If I move it closer to the fireplace, then the couch is more in front of the EC, cutting it off. Does that make sense? We're not huge TV people.. my daughter doesn't even watch one second of TV (that will change... but she has a play room upstairs for that, in the future.) Do I have to have one focal point? When we have friends over, the TV is NOT on- focal point- fireplace. When it's just my H and myself, focal point- TV/Entertainment center. I'm not sure why I feel the need for a coffee table... I looked at storage ottomans yesterday at Bassett. I like that idea but yikes! They were around $600... I was hoping to spend less. If I went that route- what color would you suggest? Finallly- luv2look- Our entertainment center is by Hooker, called Brookhaven. I bought it online from a place called Basista. I had a great experience with them and saved almost half compared to buying locally. I also got my Bradington and Young chairs through them. I will link the EC below. HTH! Thank you all. I'll try to get an updated pic up for more CC :)