BalTra, it's nice but in no way does it fit your notion of flexibility. Both the banquette and the island would be built in. Neither could move an inch. Plus, given your square footage limitations, why build in TWO small dining areas? Maybe just a seat at a nice-sized but not large island for kiddo or a friend to keep you company? But you don't want a "large" "formal" table in your kitchen for everyday meals--of course not. Precious few would. How about instead a nice cozy table for 2-4 that expands to hold 8? Handsome enough to dress up but with a tough finish that doesn't showcase fingerprints? Or the table you mentioned that could be separated into various parts and put back together as needed? Or a table that lowers and raises as desired? All are ways to design in comfort and flexibility instead of building in inadequacy. You could, of course, if you wished also have a fine-quality banquette-style seat that's super comfy to pull the table, or a piece of table, up to; I'm thinking more of a custom couch for dining, though, which doesn't have to be bolted to the wall and floor. With your table pulled over, or pieces placed at the ends and in front, it would allow friends to dine or lounge for hours.

IMO vaulted ceilings are not my choice . They alter sound, they waste heating and coolong $$$ for no real purpose . Ceiling pot lights in a vaulted ceiling are pretty useless so you really need to concentrate on levels of lighting to get this right . As for placement you really need to have a prtetty good idea where fixtures will go to plan where swiches, fixtures will be.I use cable lighting in vaulted rooms to get lighting down to human level I use Tech and they call theirs Kable.

Because the trim and wainscott end abruptly, I would downplay these architectural elements. Paint EVERYTHING your BM Swiss Coffee, including Entry, LR and DR walls and ceiling and all the trim and wainscott. Flat for walls/ceiling, semi-gloss for trim.

The colors in the photo aren’t great; the pillow does not have green. I tried a swatch of Palladian blue which came out very minty and I wasn’t tgrilled with the look. With a couple little kids, I don’t think white is a practical idea :) Kitchen is white (stark white) and black granite (circa 2010’s) that is not being touched. While everything is open, I’m leaning towards ignoring the kitchen for now with LR/DR design; even though they open to each other, I think finding a middle ground between inviting and warm (what I want) and the black/white kitchen is difficult. My dream is to redo the kitchen in 5-7 years and be practical for now.