I bought a leather sofa and loveseat about 10 years ago, and paid around $4,000.00 for the set at a leather furniture store. These are our main sitting room couches that we watch TV and eat on, sometimes sleep on, have cats, raised teenagers with, etc and they still look pretty new. I bought black leather, because I thought it would be timeless. The type of leather you get will make a big difference in how it wears. I got a pebbled leather, like a really lush Michael Kors handbag, not the smooth/shiny leather, which I think shows scratches easily. I originally thought I could change the look with throw pillows, but they have a tendency to slide off and it didn't work out like I thought, but they are wearing like iron. The way we live, fabric upholstery would look awful very quickly.

You have a very lovely space but it strikes me as being very monochromatic. I would forego buying the rugs from India and choose from the vast selection that's available here which can be tried out and returned if it's not suitable. Furthermore, I would buy two rugs. One would go under the dining table and be larger than the one you have there which looks a bit small for that area. Secondly I would pick out much richer, bolder colors for both areas to make your spaces more dramatic and interesting. You could then take a particular color from the living room rug and repeat it in the drapes (I would choose one of the lighter colors for the drapes) and you'll have a stunning, finished-looking room, especially if you add some vibrant art work to the walls. Most people tend to be too safe with their decorating choices and then wonder why their homes don't look like the ones in decorator magazines. Strangely enough, neutral and "safe" colors make you lose interest in a room long before the vibrant color scheme does, which makes you happy every time you enter that room. Some green plants would also help to ease the static quality of the present decor. When I say vibrant, by the way, I don't mean loud and garish. Use the colors you love. I suspect you've tried rather hard to stay "safe" and that does a disservice to your beautiful spaces. I do hope I haven't offended you in any way since I've gone far beyond the question you posed, but I would so love to see you make the most of your surroundings. Since I've already burned my boats, may I suggest floor or table lamps in your living room? Overhead lights can be harsh and are not really good for reading and close work. You'll also be amazed at how warm and livable it will make your room look. Again, please believe I mean no offense but would just love to be of help.

alwaysundecided - I'd love to post pix but I'm a pretty private person (sorry). Like yourself, I like certain things (that may not always mesh together), and I buy them and then play around (often moving them from place to place/room to room), until I have an 'aha' moment. I think you are doing great on your own, and the only thing you are missing is 'self confidence'. Remember, this is YOUR space and no one knows your taste (or has to live with it), other than you and whomever lives with you. We can all share with you our taste/suggestions/etc., but ultimately you are the decision maker. Having said all that, I personally think having night stand (regardless of it being mirrored or not), with a mirror in the back, no longer leaves room for a lamp - too crowded. As well, I think the whole purpose of a night stand is to place things on top of them, and if you have a lamp there it takes away from useable space. Have you considered/thought about small hanging chandeliers placed directly above the nightstands? Low enough so that you can see some of the crystal reflections in the mirror, but not too low that it takes away from the visibility of the mirror?

I really like Mama Goose's last design. I know it looks like there isn't enough space between the range and sink but you'll be doing all of your prep on the island. And if you're a clean as you go cook, the sink so close to the range is ideal. Her layout also keeps the kids out of the work zone as they can access the fridge, microwave and pantry storage without walking through the cooking zone. It's hard to say if you should be designing the kitchen with the assumption that you'll put sliders where the bay window is. If it's something you really want to do, it might be worth it to find a way to do it now. It all depends on how long you expect to stay in your home. We always operated from the perspective that we were in our forever home; we ended up living there for 25 years. As we prepare to remodel the house we just moved into, I'm less inclined to splurge like I did before because I don't see us staying here for more than 10 years. I'm always surprised and impressed by how many folks on these forums remodel kitchen after kitchen as they move around or build house after house. I think I'd rather have my fingernails ripped off. LOL