I saw it, I love it! It's antique, from TX (a plus for DH), PO had brought it up, new owner took it out has decorated condo contemporary. If I want it delivered I have to get it tomorrow though, since the DS is down from Boston with his huge Suburban. TV won't fit on the lower shelf in front of mirror (2" too tall!), so I'm thinking DR. Measured and I only need to take 1/8" off each horn of the window stools, or, since they're pine, I'm thinking replace the window stools and trim with oak, actually build it in by overlapping the window casing onto the back board rather than leaving 1/2" of paint b/t them? Or... put it on the garage wall at the head of the table, I'd center it on the chandy/table since then it would be centered b/t the wall outlets. Add another outlet in the middle for electric FP? We'd have to move the table and the chandy down toward the stairs a bit, the lower shelf on the mantel is 12" deep, I have 20" from wall to back of chair right now, 12" from wall to edge of rug. It really could help disguise the off-center sconce locations (with a little bit wider trim but it needs to be trimmed out after installation to hide screws - can see holes where it used to be installed). MBR is still a possibility - I always wanted a FP (would have to be electric) in the BR. Might be hard to get up the stairs at 80" tall. I just want it! It's got so much character, it has some scratches (incl 1 on the mirror) but it hasn't been stripped and refinished to look all shiny and new. Doesn't look bad for its age (unknown, but old), I'd leave it alone.

I would not add anything that sticks out much into the walkway on that long wall...people's shoulders will whack them going by! And at the risk of horrifying everyone, I see no reason why you shouldn't paint the three walls of your kitchen a different shade from everything else, if you want to. A warm gold-toned tan would give a good backdrop to the things you want to use, and make the kitchen into a space of its own. I would also pull the ledge off the pass-through and add a generous countertop supported by big iron brackets on the family room side where your family and friends could sit while you are in the kitchen, and that you could use as a serving surface or bar. That would solve your no-table problem in a simple way. Since you don't have a window, your big wall is the ideal place for a really big mirror, the size of an actual window, which you could then surround with four prints that suit your style. I agree that you shouldn't clutter things up...you don't have the luxury of a lot of counter space, so you will need to keep your counters pretty clear of things that are only decorative. You can put something nice in the corners, though...Ballard has a group of white urns that are purely decorative, but you might do well at antique shops and fleas, too, and find things you can actually use (these are purely decorative). And I would hang that wonderful plaque on the larger wall over your fridge, so you can get it up higher and see it from the family room. Here is a link that might be useful: Ballard urns

I haven't read all the responses, so forgive is this is a repeat. Our house is about 150 years old, and we have 'winder' steps - and the middle of their tread is basically the same as those of the straight steps. I'd find the planned winders so awkward to use - the tread is way too deep. Why not add another step there? Changing the riser height would also make it awkward. There is actually a formula that relates the tread depth to riser height. I have no idea what it is, but I do know that's why we can easily manage so many different types of stairs, as they basically all result in a somewhat regular gait. Your stairs are 4 feet wide, and narrower ones could work, (ours are 36 inches, 33 inches inside of the bannister) which would allow the winders to meet the minimum code, I'd think, even if that means adding a bannister. My Dad designed and built houses for decades. Each unique, some for spec, some not. He always said it's easy to screw up stairs. (He never complained about the design of our old stairs, and he is one to always point out mistakes.) He is too old, alas, for me to have a conversation about it. He won't listen long enough to understand the problem and his eye sight won't allow him to study plans.

These ideas are so great! I was getting a little frustrated trying to figure out the problem with the room, but you guys have made it exciting again! Thank you thank you all again! I think I have the rug for under the sofa nailed down to two options. I added a “customer photo” after each rug to show what it looks like in an actual living room. Any thoughts?