Would it make a difference if the boxes are nailed, not dove-tailed? Because they are not dove-tailed. My gut tells me it should be fine--I never would have thought "no, we shouldn't do that, it will warp". But what do I know, I'm not a cabinet expert. But, this guy is starting to freak me out. this morning, he said again "these are going to warp". He also told me a spliced drawer front would solve the problem. I really hate that he is making me question this, because after all, I am not the expert, and frankly, neither is the KD (or GC for that matter). I just can't figure out why the cabinet guy is saying this and everyone else (including me) thinks it will be fine. Thanks for letting me vent!

I see plenty of room for a desk area. I would probably put the sofa facing the fireplace, similar to how it is in the pictures. And put the two new chairs on either side of the fireplace to make a conversation area. The desk can go in one of three spots - directly behind the sofa, or in either corner behind the sofa. I would want to leave the window uncovered by furniture. It's a pretty window.

Your first photo is typical of how one must arrange a narrow room. A chair could be placed on either side of the fireplace, but the center of the room needs to stay open. Put an etegere in the corner where the chair is sitting. If you want to use this room for dining, put ONLY a dining table and chairs here. Your second photo shows that a dining table with a sofa makes for a cramped space that is no longer easy to walk through. How wide is this room from window wall to fireplace wall—10, maybe 11 ft? Sofas and chairs are around 3 feet deep. Their width starts around 25 inches, but arms can add 6 to 12 inches extra to the 20 inch average cushion size. Always take a tape measure with you when furniture shopping to make sure the piece will fit where you want it. Your description makes me think this room is seldom used. Perhaps 2 chairs facing each other in front of the fireplace with a small coffee table or ottoman between them. Place a chaise in front of the window. This might cause the path to meander just enough to avoid a bowling alley feel. For more possibilities, draw a floor plan where 1 ft equals 1 inch on paper, and place doors, windows and fireplace as accurately as possible. On a separate sheet of paper draw the outlines of furniture you want to place in this room. Label each piece and cut them out. Set them on the floor plan and move them around until you are happy with the placement. HERE is a site that offers a printable room grid and furniture pieces.

Any contractor can simply eliminate the niche with a couple studs and dry wall. Hang a picture, hang a pretty mirror. .....paint the door bell chime above wall color . If there's room in the foyer elsewhere for the lidded bench? Put a tall plant there and nothing on the wall. Failing that? Go to an auto glass and mirror shop with dimensions, and have a 1/8" mirror cut/polished to fit right in it.. A few dabs of silicone and you're done. It's a narrow mirror above a seat and shoe storage. .Show the whole foyer from another angle........add a pic or two