I was just about to say that I should do the built-ins because so much of the house is "different" since it is Shingle Style Inspired, the interior trim will have more of a "Nantucket" look than heavy crown molding, etc., dining room will have high, recessed panel wainscot rather than a chair rail & the kitchen will be inset "Shaker" style painted creamy white that just isn't typical for Upstate. It probably is not a bad thing to do at least one detail that is expected. Then I thought about the window treatments. The room is 18' across with 12' of French doors (two operable). That leaves 3' on each side of the French doors. The stackback for drapes would be 2' on each side leaving one foot for a built-in if the drapes came tight up to it. I think I'll post the situation on the decorating forum to see what the general wisdom is. Perhaps, I'm being too conventional in how I'm thinking about window treatments. I'll report back. echo2400 - My two previous houses had built-ins, but they were built in the 70's. We are doing shallow tray ceilings with simple molding in the dining room & master, but that is so we can layer the lighting with cove lighting in the tray. It may be "corny", but we do like the effect (we're romantics. LOL!) Thanks - Jo Ann PS - Lauren, I sent you a PM about builders. Can't see that e-mail account until I get home.

To answer questions, yes we gutted and opened up this home. We want our family room just inside the front door as it functions well for watching children playing outside. (Rather than a formal living room, but we want to create a NICE space) The dining room has the fireplace and is open to the kitchen, which has an amazing 10’ island with a bar height side with 4 seats and then a counter height end for food prep. We’re loving the kitchen tho still waiting on light fixtures and backsplash. The flow is working well for us but the furniture placement and how to highlight the fireplace and it’s area is the challenge! Thank you BTW we DO have another room that would serve as the formal dining room but we don’t have that need at this time and are using it as a lovely home/mom office and playroom, so toys stay in there and not all over the house.

Penny - I typically love some of the more outspoken opinions here. I'll see a post and be like "Ohh, wait til Sophie sees this!" usually because I agree with her opinions! I'm sure I would be really sensitive to hear it about my own room, but that wouldn't make it untrue. :) I was reading and considering everyone's input, but I've realized it can be difficult to reply to suggestions from multiple people at once! I really, really, appreciate all of your input. I definitely think you're right about no more furniture with drawers. It makes a lot of sense in many cases (and in the pics that people posted). Unfortunately, with 73" on each side of the fireplace, a standard chest would look miniscule, and that would leave me with putting a full-sized dresser there. With three dressers (counting the Hemnes my TV is on), it would just look like I had an elaborately furnished closet and not a family room! I actually had both chairs and the round table at the entrance for years. Since they both swivel, the table kept getting knocked down, and I grew tired of having to shimmy between the chair and the endtable all the time. Maybe I'll go back to that arrangement, but I'm liking them flanking the FP for now. cawaps - Ikea is definitely where my budget is currently - but I get the feeling I probably need to de-Ikea this room as I'm able to. :) I'll be on the lookout for consignment and thrifting bargains that might work. Anglophilia - You're so right, flat fireplace walls ARE a PITA! My last home had a diagnoal FP, and boy, I hated that, but this is still a pain! I think you're right, the ottoman has to go when we can replace it. We don't mind having a few toys here, since the bedrooms are upstairs. We hang out here frequently (and it's off the kitchen). He's a bit too big for a playpen at this point, so we choose which toys to keep in here, and we have a place to put them away, and we keep the rest in the playroom. It's a balancing act! Suezbell - Thank you for all the ideas! I will definitely be finding a home for the owl. Storage and a desk would be useful additions, I will consider those. The bookshelf is up for sale, since the height and color don't really work in here. I'll likely be replacing the TV dresser when I can to something with more interest or color. The Hemnes dresser was really only meant to be temporary - and here we are 5 years later!

That’s looking great! Sorry I forgot to link those planters! Here they are: 1. https://www.allmodern.com/decor-pillows/pdp/arzola-2-piece-iron-pot-planter-set-a000507038.html 2. Pinterest, no source listed 3. https://www.allmodern.com/decor-pillows/pdp/harding-ceramic-pot-planter-a000218939.html?piid=184473898 4. https://www.allmodern.com/decor-pillows/pdp/gaskell-short-polymer-planter-box-a000822555.html (Out of stock, but might be available on other sites) Lots of places sell similar MCM planters: Crate and Barrel, Overstock, Wayfair, Target, West Elm, CB2, ect. I really like the pea gravel you chose. :) ETA: Love these: https://www.hairpinlegs.com/collections/furniture/products/bullet-planter?variant=23424592183354 I saw them in this Atomic Ranch article (love that site): https://www.atomic-ranch.com/home-decor/affordable-bullet-planters/