Open concept is a huge success for the builders who increased profits by doing less work, then turned their corner-cutting strategy into a selling feature via HGTV. Large rooms actually look smaller if they are completely open. With no place to stop, the eye collapses the space. It is far better to see somewhat defined spaces that still connect with each other. Open concept is horrendously noisy, especially with children. I talked to one couple that actually discussed renting a room across the street to get away from their teenagers. Given that most people have little to inadequate cooking ventilation, it's also a recipe for greasy disaster on furnishings and fabrics. Hilariously, a hot topic on Kitchens is "working," "back" or "hidden" kitchens, where the actual messy work of cooking can be carried out while the show kitchen remains pristine. Openness works in small spaces--I once rented a 1200 s.f. apartment that would never have worked if the living areas weren't open. Modest, flexible openness also work, with wide openings between rooms that can ideally be closed as needed. What absolutely doesn't work is knocking down all the walls in old houses. This is especially true where ceilings are not high, so that the resulting squished space looks like someone sat on it.

How would this rug go in the living room with the Persian carpet in the dining room? https://www.wayfair.com/Zipcode-Design-Harloe-Ivory-Area-Rug-ZPCD3653.html?piid=23562773

It probably seems odd to put back part of the wall that you removed, but that is what I propose. The new short wall would serve to: 1 - hide the refrigerator (usually the least attractive appliance - which I changed to a 30-in counter-depth one btw). The refrigerator is a little out of the way from triangle work space goal, but I think it is worth it to have a kitchen that is pretty to view from your living and dining areas. Along those lines, the refrigerator would be in a full-height and full-depth cabinet. 2- enlarge your pantry to a nice size, with pretty narrow doors that open for full access. 3 - on the living room side, give you back some needed wall space. If you keep a layout similar to what you have now, your large chair or loveseat will not overhang the wall. On the range side of the plan, you could leave the cabinet run exposed, or add a narrow wall there are well. Note that I guessed on a few dimensions, and did not have a scale handy, so I free-handed the drawing. You would want to "field-test" it for sure.

I admit, I've never quite understood the idea of having both a living room and a family room, esoecially in an open concept house. I grew up in an era where houses had separate rumpus rooms, usually in the basement, where little kids could have their toys and bigger kids could hang out without interfering with or messing up the adult areas of the house. The living room was where the adults watched tv, entertained or read, and that area might have been a separate room, or open to the dining room. So I guess my question would be, how do you plan on using those two rooms that will give them each a clear purpose?