mary_lu, thank you for remembering me :). I still haven't made a decision, although I found an ad for a Restore a few hours' drive from here, that has many different colors of VCT for a bargain price. I'm planning a trip soon, if only to see the colors in person. In the meantime I'm doing small tasks, here and there, on the guest room (above the new addition) and the dining room. Today, one of my daughters is helping me move a pie safe (or two) from the DR to my bedroom. When I get some pics of those areas, I'll start another thread. Thanks, everyone, for all the advice and good thoughts!

Thanks, @ElleN - I do love the idea of storage being closed off, just don't want anything that feels super heavy there. It is SO hard to find the right length, size, visual weight, color, etc. From the kitchen you can also see the breakfast nook area, for which we recently ordered this Arana table from Wisteria - http://www.wisteria.com/Arana-Wood-Dining-Table/productinfo/T19331 and Milano gray dining chairs from Pier 1 https://www.pier1.com/milano-portobello-dining-chair/3507194.html#internal-search-product&autocplt=milano.  I've included pic from kitchen view so you can see how the space flows. I've also included pic from bottom of stairs facing kitchen - don't mind the toddler and mess. :) Hoping it'll all work together and the console I choose jives with it all.

You can hide wires, or probably snake cables through to get them where you want them, or get wireless system in total. If I am reading the drawing correctly, this room is only 11'-5" wide? So, I don't think that is sufficient space for putting walkway behind the sofa. Sofas are typically at least 36" deep and consoles are 16-18" deep. You need at least 7' from TV for viewing probably further is better depending on size of TV and you need 3' for a walkway. 3+3+4+1.5, means tight. I would put the TV on the opposite wall. You will have some traffic, but I wouldn't let that be my limiting factor. The lines of sight to the TV would be much better with the TV on the opposite wall. So, think about it. You could put boxes up in the configurations (i.e. simulate sofa and tv console in each configuration) and see how it feels from a volume and traffic point of view. I would definitely go for TV on the opposite wall. More room for coffee table and a couple of extra chairs. That might help you decide.

I think you can use a large armoire on that wall to store games/books. With your ceiling height, you need a taller piece like that. It would look especially nice once you have a longer, lower console, but you could keep the one you have for now. The vertical art piece is nice also, but wait to hang it until you know what your furniture arrangement will be. The current console and white open shelves don't work together because they are both the same height and different styles. You can find some great used armoires from people that are downsizing.