I vote for desk height. I added a table height area to my island and I use this as a desk. I love it. I actually added it for the grands when they are over. I was fixing breakfast for 3 of them while they waited patiently , seated on stools and watching the TV we put in the cabinet over the fridge. There was a huge crash and I turned around to find my 4yr old GS on the floor with a large deep scratch up his back. His stool had shot across the room and almost gone through a window. No one could tell me what happened. All I got was "I don't know." I could only assume a little extra gas on his part. BOYS! so--- I wouldn't want the kids any higher off the ground than necessary.

Hi Emily, didn't expect any activity 2yrs later! I did end up buying Maison Dumond Cambronne. The size actually worked out better than expected, however, the delivery was a nightmare and the quality of the table doesn't live up to the expectation of the price. It is a nice enough table, but not without flaws ...

As a lover of weird little nooks like that, and for a modest budget, I'd suggest getting those shelves covered with as many old books as you can get--fill them in, with a minimum of other stuff. I'd paint the ceiling an interesting color, like a nice green, and use a solid-color Roman shade at the window to coordinate with the ceiling (the ceiling in white is just too much contrast with the paneling, and makes it look tired). A curtain is fine too, especially if you can make that yourself--get some terrific fabric. If you have a single fixture in the middle of the ceiling, try to buy another single fixture with multiple lights hanging out of it on cords--IKEA has had these in the past, and I bought one online (Amazon?) with 10 frosted bulbs hanging out of it on cords, which I've threaded around the twigs of a large branch so there is light throughout the room. You wouldn't need so many, and make sure it's dimmable. Then add an inexpensive adjustable up-light in the corner to bounce some light off of the wall and shelf underside (make sure to use warm bulbs everywhere). Your desk is fine for now, although I love the green suggestions! I think addressing the room envelope will really give you the most impact, though.

Thanks for the suggestions, but that's what I meant about not DIY'ing myself, since I don't have the skills or tools to work with wood. Otherwise, I'd just buy the pipe leg kit and go that route.