Congrats on your new condo. I love all the windows and light as well as your lovely kitchen. It looks nicely laid out. Could you draw up a floor plan with dimensions? Something hand drawn on graph paper will do nicely to help the pros on the forum. What is giving me pause is that your kitchen cabinets are contemporary, yet your style is traditional/transitional. Could you post some photos of rooms that are attractive to you? I do like your idea of having several chairs in front of the fireplace since the spacing is tight there. Where do you think the TV should go?

I've also downsized and have almost completed the remodel of a 1500 sq. ft. single story patio home. To maximize storage, I purchased Kraft Maid cabinets that were in a similar style and the same color as the KM kitchen cabinets. These are my office cabinets and are located in the living room. I pay bills, file business papers, and plan menus in this area. All 3 base cabinets are file drawers with a desk in the corner. Display cabinets are on top of two of the file cabinets. My computer is on a built-in desk in a small back bedroom as that is where I tend to get messy. The TV and stereo equipment are in a Hooker entertainment cabinet that has a hutch on top for the TV. By this point you get the drift that I believe lots of cabinets help one to live large in a small space and stay organized. It's expensive, but I phased the remodel in over time. Anyway, just some thoughts as you put together your master plan.

Texas, thanks for your response. We are on the same wave length in terms of maximizing storage. That's why I keep thinking about the library wall units with a built in desk for the long nook space next to the fireplace. I would like to take full advantage of that space. Custom built-ins are an option as well, but I'd also like to explore the furniture route.

You asked about TV. I'm thinking about a media/TV armoire that would go on the wall where the current small server stands in the last photo. I could watch TV from the chairs the flank the fireplace.

The area around the fireplace is tight. I could do two comfy chairs, as mentioned, or a loveseat (say, 65") and chair. For guests I can pull in other chairs from the bedroom and dining area.

I haven't been able to find too many inspiration pictures yet. One that caught my eye was a Stephen Saint-Onge re-do of an otherwise very generic condo space.
http://www.stephensaint-ongestudio.com/#!Condo-Makeover/cu6k/2FE13643-F9CB-42C5-AAB2-83B30E4BF7C1

I will sketch out dimensions and post them later today.

Cassandra, I love your inspirational photo. It's very warm and inviting with good flow of all colors and materials.

Hi and congratulations! I'm going through what you are with the down size open plan. At a quick glance it looks like your lovely inspiration photo's show an area a bit larger which will make a difference on the scale of furniture. Question: is that a real fireplace and do you need it? It seems to be in an odd location. If it wasn't there you would have so many more options on furniture placement.

Yes, it is a real fire[lace justterrilynn. It is an odd location. That's why I need some help to create all the other "zones" this room much handle. Right now I'm thinking either a loveseat and chair or two chairs only for the "living room zone" around the fireplace.

This is just a guess without seeing the floor plan but I think I would be inclined to take the dark granite off the fireplace and make the whole area including the alcove look like one feature wall ...shelving,cabinets and tv. Something simple to jive with the kitchen. Then, I would mostly just ignore trying to make use of just the fireplace section as a feature. It would then be a larger section of feature with the alcove included and you could float some furniture and have better use of the space. Maybe not just like the picture...but you get the idea. Edited to add: this way you could start your area rug all the way down from fireplace toward sliders. It will make your space appear larger.

That's a great idea. I really wish I could expand your photo so that it is larger.
The long range plan is to add a mantel to the fireplace--or some type of more attractive surround.

Sorry about the small picture I'm on my Kindle and don't know all its uses. How you coming along with your floor plan post? Have you picked your dining room furniture? I ended up going with a pedestal base oval glass top table and cool chairs. It made it all look more open and less tight and cluttered.

Just some ideas...May not go with your style.

You may have to do a slim rectangle though as I do not have your measurements.

How did you end up decorating and placing furniture in this lovely space? I loved your inspiration photo. I think I saved it to my pinterest because I liked it so much. Thanks! Annegriet. Also, hope you are enjoying your condo.

It always feels strange to have a thread reappear. I am actually no longer in that condo. I did some minimal decorating but not much before my new place came along. Life has a way of changing your plans! Thanks for the interest.

Thanks for the update and sharing!