patches_02: " Didn't they on the end of the piece make like a square pillar style thing, then put the shelves in open area." Yes, they did. I had forgotten about it. I don't recall if it was a structural thing (load bearing) or cosmetic, to "anchor" the display area to the rest of the wall. It looked really nice, and I think would be perfect for this area. I don't remember the episode. It was probably Designed to Sell, which is on at lunchtime here and the only time I am likely to watch because of the time of day. IÂm pretty sure it was one of their "fix it up to sell it" shows. It might be the show with the British guy (Clive?) as host. I think I remember the show ending with an open house, and people oohing and ahhhing over those shelves. IÂm not sure about how to search their website; IÂve had problems tracking down shows. As far as the angled table: we always had to turn the table around for big dinners and extend it into the foyer. But I wouldnÂt want to compromise my daily environment for the sake of occasional events; and take out the walls just for that. Someone (usually me) is always squeezed in the corner, no one minds. We also serve buffet style rather than having the serving dishes on the table. That saves space for seating and place settings.

I have woven wood/bamboo shades through my house. Some are lined, most are not. I can definitely feel a temperature difference with them down. It isn't dramatic, but anything that keeps the sun from bearing down in your living room will help, and I lower them when it's really cold outside. I keep the unlined shades down more often since they aren't room darkening, I don't feel so closed in. I think they would look great with your decor. Mine are all outside mounted because of my double hung windows. I'll try to do a mockup for you to see if you would like them.

Thanks all. I like the idea about painting the white trim....but it's a bigger job than you might think. Whatever gets painted in the family room also needs to get painted in the kitchen. The problem is that the new windows in my kitchen have white hardware and inside trim so painting the moulding on them would look weird. The mantle has actually been painted. It used to be off-white, now it's fauxed...can't really tell from the picture! I had it custom built and wish I had made it larger...oh well. Thanks for all the comments. I'll leave the plant out of there and get larger tools. Maybe more pillows for the chair/loveseat.

I hate to have you take more pics, but what i think would be helpful is if you stand at the front door - at least I think it’s the front door between the two windows? - and take a shot toward the left wall, then take a pic toward the middle of the room, and then toward the right. Those three photos should allow us to see the whole space. We can’t see very well how the whole space lays out with the current photos. At least I can’t! ;) if you don’t want to do that, the float your couch away from the wall and angled so that it’s in front of the fireplace. Does your space allow that? The size and layout of your room may be such that the couch and chaise won’t both work. But we can give it a shot!