Yes, lightlystarched, bmorepanic and salmon_slayer (what a name!), I agree, that 'V' is bothering me too. Do you think it would work if we just softened the 'V' and the countertop corners on the cabinet or would it still be too large? I am hoping to put an undercounter refrigerator there so a smaller one would not work for that purpose. But also don't want to create an eyesore. So I keep looking for pictures of something similar but haven't found anything yet. salmon_slayer, we are going with Elm cabinets, it is a local brand here (NJ), marketed as "reasonably priced" (they think :)) custom cabinets. We saw them at a neighbor's house and were very impressed so decided to use them too. One benefit - same price for inset as for full overlay. I was very happy about that and decided to go with the inset but now learning it may be harder to achieve the integrated look with the dishwasher (the doors on the full overlay help to cover more of the appliances, something I didn't consider previously), so now thinking about that one again. As far as the microwave goes, KD suggested the cabinet above the appliance garage. Well, it is very far from the fridge and also right next to the basement door. Our laundry and also a play area are in the basement so there is some traffic. Should I be concerned about it? The other option is the upper cabinet next to the refrigerator but even apart from the way it would look, it would mean dividing the upper cabinets on both sides of the range into a 24" and a 10" so loosing some storage on the right side as well.

Can you put the bar seating on the living room side of the half wall? Also, can you relocate your range? If so, then this might be a possibility. Take out the closet and replace it with a smaller cabinet pantry and put the fridge next to it. Have the microwave above the counter, on the other side...and then a wall, with another shallow (12" cabinet) on the other side, facing the back foyer. This would be for phone chargers, kitty bowls under the counter...and maybe a bookshelf or two above, for cookbooks? On the other side, take out the small windows and replace them with a larger window(s) to give you more light. Have the sink centered under the windows, with dishwasher to the left and move the range to the 'north' or top wall. This will make the range a focal point from the living room and you can have upper cabinets on each side of the window...or have shelves on the left (for dishes) and hang your pans on the right (by the range). Just a few quick ideas :) Very rough sketch... From Cottage house plans

No worries about our conversation yesterday. You had to feel very torn apart dealing with me, the salesperson and your husband all at the same time-lol.. My hint on narrowing down swatches that I think helps is to take two of them. And between those 2, decide which one you like the best. Once you decide on that, discard the one you don't like. Put another swatch with the one you like and discard the one you like the least. Keep doing this until you get through the swatches. If possible, I hope you will have the opportunity to look at them also at night. Other thing is what are these swatches for? Both window and fireplace chairs? And if you like the blue, don't be concerned that you have it in another room. It's in another room and personally I like to take one color, if not more, and use it in each room to tie them together- even if it is a different shade of that color or even if it is in an accessory. And even if you are anxious to get this done, don't settle if you aren't feeling any of the samples. If you love the sofa fabric, you can always get that ordered as the fabric is neutral enough and then you can look at more fabric samples or go shop other stores for the chairs. Shopping for the chairs you can always do on your own and when you have it narrowed down, then drag hubby to the store. In my livingroom, not one piece is the same brand. The kitchen I was talking about is another Houzzer kitchen I'm helping with in a new house. Though I am putting the plans together for a huge remodel and additions to my house. Though at the snail pace I'm going it may be another yr before the work begins. I'm not very motivated as the job is going to take about 8-12 months and I will have to move out. The house is 19 yrs old and I knew when I bought it 3 yrs ago that it had very good bones but would need help to realize it's full potential and beauty. And that it needed more than lipstick..

You don't need any sort of dining table in the room? The room looks like it was intended to have a table on the right side and a living area near the fireplace. If you don't need a table, I would see if you have room to move the sectional to the left side of the space, closer to the fireplace, so the back lines up with the beam that splits the space. Do you have room to move the TV to the right or left of the fireplace? Group the chairs together around a small round coffee table on the right side of the room.