I think it would be fine to change the sand color to Olive Branch. If it's too much, it might be nice to select a lighter, color and consider making the paneling area above the fireplace this color. I agree the scale of the pictures is too small. I think it would be nice to anchor the dining area with a large painting. The bigger the better to fill some wall space. Right now, the furniture seems to be arbitrarily placed throughout the room so I think you should rethink the floor plan. I would place the sofas on either side of the fireplace. I would move the tv to the small wall and hope that it sits below the wall and doesn't stick out. Right now, it's fighting the natural focal point of the fireplace. Now, the concept of Spanish/ Mediterranean. When you continue this space, think heavy, think furniture. Contrast is important in this style so consider black wrought iron details, perhaps a wrought iron chandelier for over the dining table and some sconces for the living area. It might be nice to consider tapestries for the area. When I suggested a lighter color earlier, it might be appropriate to think a tan or an orangish hue that is found throughout this style.

Hi, Rockvillegardener. Regarding the outside if you take out the door: Fairly well matching brick OR wood panel painted to match, then plant your favorite dependable evergreen in front of it. Your name suggests you'd have no trouble with that. I agree there is no social substitute for a table a family can gather around each day, and I agree you're wise to protect a proper dining area for family life. One that's pleasant and gracious, not a constant conflict of feet and chair and stool legs whose cramped effect makes all the surrounding spaces feel somewhat cramped. Everyone understands the desire to be able to line the kids up at the kitchen. Would thinking in terms of FLEXIBILITY for the future help? You apparently have 3 kids for whom Mom is still the center of the universe, or at least capable of directing them to those stools routinely. That won't be the case forever. For instance, could you make a deep peninsula temporary (and put a 48" round table in a corner of the living room, say)? As in standard depth cabinets firmly within the old kitchen footprint, with an extra-deep top that could be replaced when your kids were older? And/or movable? Run flooring under and buy extra so it could be removed, and be delicate with the bolting down? Note that I'm wondering about relabeling spaces, either temporarily adequately or permanently well, while always still making a nice area to gather for meals a priority. Any possibilities?

I’m trying to get a color to go with the gray couches . Not sure the light gray at bottom of pic or the darker gray at top of same pic. Putting in a dark gray rug . Theirs a red accent wall thinking of paint the dark teal at bottom of other photo. Not sure to paint entrance with dark gray and the living room with light gray or opposite way . Any help would be appreciated thanks .

No I don't think you need to get a shorter table unless the one you have is wider than usual (most tables are 3-3.5' wide). I don't think the length is the issue in that room, it's the width. You can just get a bench instead of chairs on that side. Your table is probably 6' long or so, right? Then it will still fit in the dining room. You may want to play around with just putting chairs on 2 sides instead of 3 and pushing it more towards the corner to avoid encroaching on the living room space. 6'+3' = 9' so you'd have 1' to spare. If you want to share some space with the living room you could put seating on both sides.