Well, something's got to give. Either both girls get a recliner and parents are SOL, or you choose a layout that is attractive and sensible for the room as a whole and no one reclines lol. Or only those with a medical need recline ;) The first pic you posted in the last batch, with the two white sofas and two grey chairs, would work really well in your room. One of the chairs could recline. If you wanted you could use a sectional in place of the two white sofas. That's similar to what I was suggesting above. If you have an ottoman to put your feet up on would your younger daughter feel that was fair? Or would it make your husband more comfortable with saying, "life's not fair kid"? NOT giving parenting advice here.

Help me with ideas on what kind of accent chairs to buy. Fabric or leather ? And what colors can I mix and match ?

I think you have some very pretty spaces here and have already done a more than respectable job with the decor. For the living room in particular, it only needs tweaks, such as raise up the art higher (and pull that sofa a bit from the wall, so that no one feels nervous about hitting their head on the art); take everything off the media unit that has height and make the decorations low bowls or trays. Plants look wonderful in that room, so bring in as many as you can handle. Are you completely averse to a light toned shag-type rug for your living space? if that doesn’t work for you, a sisal is fine. That rocking chair in the corner of the dining room isn’t going to get used, so I’d replace it with a plant. In the other corner, instead of sticks, get a free standing or wall mounted wine rack. For the dining chairs, I would go for ones in colourful or transparent plastic (these come in different colors) or if you prefer the comfort of upholstered go for bright colors, florals or graphics, or solids. Coral, aqua, — whatever you like. You could have a livelier linear light fixture, either something curvy or feathery or with shine. What you have is fine with your chairs, but after you switch out the chairs, maybe you’ll want a new fixture. I love your glam Monroe headshots in the kitchen. A more fun and flashy kitchen clock would be nice, as would pop-style utensil holders, fruit bows, dishtowels, fab dishwashing gloves and a great cooking apron or 2 I would make bar stools the last purchase. My problem with macrame is that it collects dust. If you like fabric arts (and they can be inexpensive and easy to hang) look at batik wall hangings and Japanese noren curtains — that kind of folk art, which can have bright colors or subtle designs.

A quick fix is a lighter rug, but purchase to suit the eventual look you are aiming for. I would hold back on doing anything else and start saving inspiration rooms that appeal to you (search beamed ceilings in small living rooms, for example). If it were me, I’d skip MCM. First step is to consider best layout and pieces to take advantage of view and better tv viewing. A sectional may work well and place swivels in front of window. When choosing seating, suggest lighter to off-set the large art, to brighten room and to better work with kitchen. Other decisions will be easier to decide on.