Let's see if I can address/answer: carol from NY: I actually have recovered the chairs but did it when the kitchen was green and it doesn't go now. So I have to find something else to put on there. I actually just used a tablecloth - VERY cheap... The cabinet: We wanted to ditch it b/c it is just not "our style" anymore. We def need to paint it - it is dark green right now. We would only be able to have either the hutch or a sideboard - can;t fit both in the "dining room area" Annz - I had thought of that after the fact of course. Turns out our paint went bad for that color anyway. I also tried to see if there was a way to put a more decorative or beefier molding at the top but it won't work well. Susanak - We decided not to put those prints back int he kitchen their scale was wrong. Can't seem to find anything I like... :-( We do have company coming - they come every year since we moved in. It is our 5th Christmas here. We wanted everything to look good. Not sure about leaving that one with no curtain - but I have considered a black and white... DH said black solid and I said blah. eandhl - I have thought of black and white curtains. The kitchen is the same color as the dining room - it is the dark tan now. I have to look and see if I can find a lantern like thing. I have been looking for something in black wrought iron looking. Ruth

Oxalic acid for the win! The picture of the table leg was formerly black. It was sanded 2x and the acid lifted the dark grain and gave it a very nice clarity. Then was oiled up and looking beautiful. I do have a follow up question: The chair in front was sanded & oiled (3-4 applications) -- but looks dull dull dull. The other 3 chairs were treated with oxalic acid and oiled only 2 times, and are beautiful! How would you recommend I get the dull one to look like the nice ones? Keep oiling? Or put that one through acid too? Thanks again!

Those are great, CeleryGirl. I guess I am going to think about adding the wider window on the right only. The one that's there doesn't open and it's too close to the fireplace. Do you all think the window on the right should be the same height as the front window? Should I ignore the ceiling slope or should I incorporate some detail over the fireplace that goes straight up to the ceiling?

I so appreciate all of you! Thank you for your enthusiasm and support! The floors are espresso (minwax) with duraseal max (commercial finish bc we have sons and a cat) on top. The fabric I shared will be used in a large Roman shade above the sink (that three-part window). Remaining windows will have a minimalist treatment TBD.