I like your house ,,, nicely done!! As far as paint color, in my opinion ,,, the blue in your kitchen is a "bright" color whereas the sage color is "muted". If you took that sage color and turned it into a light lime green (think granny smith apple), then the colors would pop together (look at the inspiration photo of the spider plant next to the blue paint). For that blue ,,, I would pair with (in the same tone and intensity) lime green, yellow, tangerine, or crisp white. It really depends on how much color you want. I can see a yellow or tangerine in your dining room with those teal chairs, but I also like lime green. I would not go with tan, I would do a crisp white before tan, if I wanted to go neutral. A "tan" that would work with that color blue, I think might clash with your hardwood floors. With the hardwood floors and the mix of woods in that space (which I really like, by the way) I would put white on the walls and bring in color with accents (pillows, rugs, pictures). Also, what's up with the red room in the background? Do you like that room? Is that color staying? I really like your fireplace. Have you ever considered painting the brick? If you do go with a bright color on the wall, you might want to consider painting it white and leaving the accents black. Good luck ,,, can't wait to see the after pictures!! :)

Ok I am back..... Wow, I just read thro' all the responses and you guys rock !!! I love this forum :))) So far the consensus seems to be to open it up. To answer some of your questions.... oakleyok: The rooms are small. LR is 13 x 18 and FR is 11 x 18. So if we open it up, it will prob. be around 24 x 18 which I think is a nice size....Not too big nor small... bumbledoodle & jan in wisconsin: Thanks for sharing :) I am glad you love the openess....Its very affirming. We currently have a full set of furniture in the LR(Sofa, loveseat, 2 chairs, coffee & end tables). In the FR, we have a loveseat, 3 accent chairs and the TV which is currently on a console. One wall in the FR is dominated by a brick fireplace, similar to the inspiration photo that I linked. So I guess we will have two separate seating areas, even if we open up the rooms. Prob. one will be near the fireplace and another TV watching area.... lynninnewmex, nanny2a & bronwynsmom: Yes, I def. plan to check with an architect if its a load bearing wall or not. I've read (in cote de texas's blog) that if you put in a doorway, it wouldn't cause an issue to the structure as opposed to removing the entire wall. Is this right?? palimpset & pps7: Thanks for letting me know that traditional homes have open architecture...I never knew that. I didn't grow up in this country, so a lot of it is new to me......Now I feel better that I won't be really messing up with the integrity of the house :) Scanmike: Thanks for sharing your pics. You have a beautiful home. I really love your sunroom..I wish I had one and also some new kittens :) susanilz: I think we'll be here for atleast the next 5 yrs...Maybe 10 yrs...I don't have the energy to move anytime soon...So I guess, it makes sense to make it into something functional for us.... vampiressrn: We don't entertain a lot...But def. a few times a year, we have large gatherings for 30+ ppl....Maybe we'll be more prone to entertaining with an open area...I am feeling really pressurized cos we're having a formal gathering of nearly 50 ppl...Its a prayer meeting, so everyone will be sitting together in the same space unlike a party where ppl can move around... Initially, I was considering putting in only a regular doorway (with a french door or pocket door). But after committing to hosting such a large gathering, I am really at a loss on how we're going to accomodate everyone. This was the trigger to everything..... jamaraz: Thanks for sharing your experience...I am scared about the unknowns...Sometimes I think I am opening up a can of worms :) monablair: I am not sure it would work for us. Like I said, the FR has a fireplace and has a very cozy vibe..Maybe I could place some seating around it and have some bookshelves against the adjacent wall to create like a reading/library room (similar to the little reading nook in Somethings gotta give)....I love my books :))) awm: Thats exactly the look I wanted initially. But somehow DH is against the idea of french doors or pocket doors. He wants a more open feel I don't know if I should really listen to him. He doesn't hang out obsessively in design forums like I do, KWIM :)) He's pretty clueless when it comes to design..... How wide do you think that opening is in the pic?? I initially did want doors. But I am not sure how wide the opening would be if we put in doors(like I said, we're trying to accomodate nearly 50 in one space) Also, with french doors, I am thinking if it will hamper the space/furniture placement when we open the door. tomorrowisanotherday: Yes, I really don't want to lose real estate value...I will have to somehow figure this out and make it work.... dlm: Thanks for sharing your pics :) Your french doors are so gorgeous...I don't have any in my home and I really love the look of one :( teaforwendy: We do have a door connecting the FR to the breakfast nook & kitchen. Its not as open as I would like it to be but I don't mind it too much for now...Maybe it could be a project for the future...... kjmama: Yes, we did talk before :) Infact, I searched and pulled up your thread yday to get more ideas. How's the doorway working for you?? Are you done with decorating? Any pics to share :) Please keep the ideas coming...Right now, I am def. leaning twds putting in a doorway...Our "handyman" is coming to take a look tomorrow...But I need to check with an architect about the load bearing aspect of it before we start on anything....Will keep you all updated and will also, try to figure out how to post pics meanwhile..... Thanks once again :)

That's a plus! Close up the pass through and door and make a high opening through that wall. Joanna Gaines does that a lot so the support is not lost but you get the feeling of openness. She'll take a regular 72" opening and widen it to 84 or 96 and open it to the ceiling. Remarkable difference, but if it is load bearing, you may have to insert some support in the wall above it which is more expensive to do. Remember, when you open this wall, guests will step through your front door and see your kitchen and all the mess. Something to consider. You might appreciate closing the current door and pass through and putting a 48" wide opening at the thermostat end of that wall for access without the direct view from the entrance into the kitchen. With the other wall closed, you might find room for a tiny breakfast table and chairs or for a coffee bar.

I admit, I've never quite understood the idea of having both a living room and a family room, esoecially in an open concept house. I grew up in an era where houses had separate rumpus rooms, usually in the basement, where little kids could have their toys and bigger kids could hang out without interfering with or messing up the adult areas of the house. The living room was where the adults watched tv, entertained or read, and that area might have been a separate room, or open to the dining room. So I guess my question would be, how do you plan on using those two rooms that will give them each a clear purpose?