Somebody probably already said this, but casual use might be dissuaded by hiding the sofa behind the table, i.e., making getting to it not a casual move. I see no reason why the sofa couldn't simply be close to the table and chairs the way it would be to a couple of chairs and ottoman in a living room. With end table(s) and/or a little serving table in front for comfort. I agree with thinking multifunctioning. This often also has the happy effect of making dining much more inviting--because the room has that special feeling of a room that is lived in. The other thing that comes to mind is capitalizing on special assets this room has to offer that your other sitting areas do not. Sunshine at a particular part of the day? If other rooms have that all covered, how about going the other direction--relatively dark and introverted for cozy shelter from the world? Rather different from your inspirations, of course, but it's just for example. This would be an opportunity to design for dining at night--an inviting change from sunny dining in the family area?

Jakkom offers some great advice, try to make an adventure out of looking for things you might like in your apt. Get out and do some shopping at some cool places you find out about. Come here and read posts that interest you, you can get some great ideas. When I had my house, I used to keep a little slip of paper in my wallet with a list of some of the kinds of things I needed for the house, so when I was out and about, I would be able to remember if I needed something or not. It's kind of nice to know that while you have a perfectly adequate floor lamp, you're really looking for something the same basic height and size, but way cooler. That's why I started out with hand me downs thinking I could always upgrade piece by piece. In the end, I have found that the quality of the hand me downs has often far exceeded any new things I have seen in the stores, and the price sure was right for the hand me downs! Over time, it has developed into my "look" which I call MCM Grandma! For example, an old lamp that was anachronistic in my house for years and years but I just never found a replacement for, is now super hot again and the young folks who come over think I'm uber hip! OMG Jakkom on the prices for the Milo Baughman stuff, I'm going to have to take a closer look at my chair and find out if it is an original or a knockoff. I know it is of the MCM era, not a repro. It has the original faux naugahyde dirty white vinyl covering. Sadly, it got nicked in two places during my last move. Not sure at this point whether I am going to recover it or sell it. It's very comfortable, despite its lean modern looks. Despite it being comfortable, SO hates it, at least in its dingy white vinyl incarnation, and it doesn't go very well with most of my other stuff, although I pride myself on being "eclectic." We'll see how my furniture culling goes, it may be time to pass this chair on to someone else who will love it properly. I kind of like it, it represents to me the humor of something that was a complete garage sale can't get rid of item a decade ago and now is really hot, and also something of quality and value, albeit "out of date" by casual standards and yet still has intrinsic good/worthy style. "Character" I guess would be the operative word. Oh, BTW Bigeze, that's another way to have fun decorating your place, seeking out things with "character" which I think can be fun. Unless you just want to go out and get everything and have it be done and over with, which I can also relate to and understand. I'm often torn between the two instincts.

Hi everyone! Thank you! Jane, Oooooh, don't get me started on squirrels. I wish I could contract eagle hitmen to deal with them.... they've ruined many an orange with one bite, chewed up many succulent leaves, then spit out the leaf in disgust and do it again the next day. The bigger hoodlums are raccoons that decided the center of all my bromeliads have hidden treats. The carnage! Plant parts everywhere and, yes. Orchids and succulents thrown down to the ground. Haven't figured out how to deter these furry gangsters..... My trees....there are 3 trees sort of fighting for canopy space. A guava above the Mary Eliz B bench. A large Australian Umbrella tree that blocks the afternoon Western sun somewhat and a 20 year old Chinese Elm I am annoyed with. They have leafed out and the shelter in heat waves is appreciated, but, they all need taming. Saving pennies for arborist..... I enjoy seeing how simply growing spaces are organized, including yours'. Love how your phalie is happy in the tree! I used to have a few laelias growing on an apricot tree, now long gone. Ariel, how humid is your climate? Seems the orchids would be happy year round.

I'm pretty sure the real reason (as opposed to it just being about my superior tastes, lol) that the mister defers questions on all decor and furnishing matters to me, is so he won't have to disappear for an undetermined length of time like the OP's husband. ;) The rug thing has always been a bit confusing to me when the house has what looks like lovely hardwood flooring - rugs cover that up! Unless it's a basement, in which case I totally get wanting to be able to use the space during the winter and not freezing in the process, therefore a rug if not carpet is needed. I can't tell if the curtains are sheers? Honestly I'm more of a 'put blinds up' for windows kind of gal, if the windows require covering for privacy (don't want to give the neighbors a show or anything, lol). Window coverings also help protect darker upholstery from fading due to sun exposure, and to a lesser extent the same goes for noticeable fade and discoloration of lighter colors. Everyone loves a room with lots of big windows providing natural light, all I can think of is what their utility bills during the summer must be like and that they probably don't have a sapphire blue velvet sofa they're anxious to keep from fading and vacuum religiously despite the utilization of a throw blanket strategy to win the war against dog fur.