Moving the door at this point is not an option. Electrical has all been done there, and the doorway would be obstructed if it were moved. That area to the right is where the table is going to be. The opening is 38" wide right now, and will have a door in it, to be put in next week. The beam is just under 5", and is 5" from the right side of the doorway. Here is the floor plan. It's not entirely accurate but it's all I have available to post. The area marked "Bench/hooks" will not be there; it will be straight wall in that hallway, as it exists now. Also, the beam is not drawn accurately. Here are some other photos that show the whole space in a clockwise circle that may help to get a better idea of things. There will be a second island flanked by two columns right under the beam. Those will go in after the cabinets have been put in, also next week. Clockwise from back door 1. From back door on back wall of kitchen 2. From back wall in opposite corner. Right doorway goes to laundry. 3. From bedroom hallway 4. From front door 5. From fireplace 6. From garage hallway

There may be nicer finishes than poly, as Randy mentioned the Tung Oil finsih, but in my experience oil based poly holds up EXTREMELY well if applied properly. Many years ago, I did all my trim (doors, windows, base, etc) and it held up well. Have since replaced with white painted trim. Nothing gets more wear and tear than hardwood floors finished in poly and they stand the test of time. Did you prep you table properly? Did you sand between coats? I would probably do three thin coats on a dining table.

snookums - I do lean towards the warmer white and the ORB hardware, just like the finishes in your pictures (love those pulls!). That's a great example of white cabinets blending well with the copper and natural wood details. I just posted on my other post on Home Dec that if I paint my current cabinets I would use SW Antique White, which matches all my trim, and I think that's pretty close to what you've shown. Of course, the style of my cabinets aren't as beautiful as all the ones in these pictures, but it could make a big difference! Thank you, rosie. Those are my wood floors, although I have slate tile in the kitchen (shown below). I really like that too and it will stay if I paint my current cabinets, but will be replaced if I do a larger-scale remodel. I'm not sure if I would bring the soft pine floors into the kitchen or choose another tile floor. We've done several improvements - replaced all the electrical, drywall, ceiling, paint, new wood slider and crown/baseboard, and installed the recessed lighting and pendants, but everything else is from the PO. I've since replaced those terribly uncomfortable metal barstools with Pottery Barn wood stools. We're shopping for a stainless steel counter-depth refrigerator right now and I'd like to switch out all the appliances, because I know having mixed finishes is going to bother me. I also wouldn't want black appliances if I paint the cabinets white. There's a lot of wasted space on the other side of the room that I would like to expand into with a stand alone island and more cabinetry if we do a larger-scale remodel. I don't usually post pics of my kitchen but here goes.

Sorry guys & girls - was away for a few days and just now catching up. Renovator8 - the lighting will be 4" recessed cans with the newest model of Feit retrofit kits (My research confirmed this new model has surpassed the CREE CR4's I was originally planned on using). 94+ CRI, 2700K light color - and CostCo rebranded a ton of them and is currently offering them at 1/2 price of what they sell for in Home Depot. (Identical model # and everything) Casey - Thanks for the comment as the coiffured ceilings were one of "my things" I had to have. I get my coiffured ceilings in the living/library and she gets her Victoria + Albert freestanding soaking tub with chandelier in the marble bathroom so I think it was a fair trade... Regardless, a lot of this wouldn't have been done if I wasn't in the real estate industry and was paying "retail prices" as a buyer with no control over the build process. (It's amazing some of the markups). Carol - we do have an "idea" of a layout for the Great Room and that's a good idea, i'll figure out a way to post it and see what feedback I get. Great suggestions on the curtains as well. Thanks - I hope these threads are helping you as much as they are me as we both go through this process! Andrew