Hi Lisa What is your first picture of? That's not the same table that is in the DR (or is it) I think your DR table and chairs look quite nice in the DR. The raised panels don't scream formal to me. There are so many ways to accessorize, that you can take that room any way you'd like. Or would you prefer to have a more formal table? You can easily go with a pattern under the sofa. Might add some interest to the room since the sofa is large and solid colored. I'm having trouble visualizing how the sofa room works. What is on the other side? It looks like you enter the room, and have to walk a ways to come around to the sofa. Almost like it should be turned so the seats greet you rather that the back of the sofa. The white table in the corner looks rather lonesome :( Do you plan to keep it there? If so, it needs a chair and maybe a darker color on the table. Hope this helps some. You basically have a blank slate here, so you can go in many directions. You've done a super job with the remodeling. I know what you mean about wanting *one* room to finally be done!

I was struck buy the small rug under the table on the designer's blog (her home?). This would keep the floors from being scratched by shoes, and also provides a little color and interest. I had stashed this away in my personal file (what's left of my memory), but another thread about rugs under tables just popped up, so I'm going to link to this one. It works nicely. Maybe only because it's not rectangular? What do you think - would an undersize rectangle look just as good?

I have the same situation but reversed (dining room on left). As jerseygirl said, everything doesn't have to match but ideally the colors and styles will work well together. I have valances in my DR and semi-sheer panels in my living room -- totally different treatments. But the style of both rooms are similar, and the 'theme colors' are repeated in each room (and in other rooms on my first floor). Same with rugs. I have entirely different rugs in my rooms but all are similar in style and colors.

I would place your tv against the wall that has no windows. If you are doing a sectional you could place it along the walls with windows and use a coffee table in the middle. I would definitely use rugs under the dining table and a large rug to anchor the living area. I would use a side table at each end of the sectional. Another idea would be to use two couches in the same way and for more seating add two chairs with a table in the middle. Which you could also do with the sectional. This way the chairs will act as a separation between the dining area and living. Hope that helps. I am sure there are other ways in which you could work the space.