Yes I think the ceiling fan is intended to be the dining area... not sure I will keep that as I don't want a breeze on my dinner! I love the BM Smokey Taupe I think that would look great. The floor is very cheap laminate and may go too (plastic sound). That is, is we decide to put an offer in on this place! I am more trying to envision it done, and us living in it. Also most of the places we are looking at are essentially similar and would require the same kind of facelift. What would you do with an ugly fireplace like that - get an insert, paint the "brick"? I would place the sofa off the wall and the armchair at a 50 degree or so angle to create a conversation grouping in the living area. The bedrooms are upstairs and are just boring square boxes...

Art is so very personal, IMHO. I like the older Monet styles of art, but something bright and bold would bring an infusion of color. Do you like contemporary? Do you like abstract? Do you like impressionism? Is there someone local that speaks to you? Do you want people in your art? Try a poster from art.com because it can be cheaper and may help you. We have a Hyunah Kim and a Vassileva in our hall bathroom!! I have impressionists in our living and dining room and a TC Steele in our dining room. I also have some original art in the LR/DR. The others are posters. So, what I am saying is, art is very personal. You need to find some that speaks to you!!!

Thank you all SO much! Really wonderful to read your suggestions and get input. Much appreciated. And makes me feel there is potential for this space. I never considered a bigger rug, but will do so now as that seems to be a repeated suggestion. We will also take another look at the the height of that mirror on the side wall (above the mantel is a actually a large framed photo that I blacked out for this post). We did experiment with turning the dining table the other way, but it didn't feel right and seemed to block the openness of the sliding doors. And I was leaning towards an upholstered bench behind the couch (for a casual spot to sit with the added bonus of storage for blankets inside), but perhaps that would be odd? Again, thank you all. Keep the ideas coming!

The kitchen counter can actually have bar chairs and I would like to do that if space allows. The current owner had the sectional right up to the kitchen counter and I do NOT want to do that. Where is a better place for the tv than over the fireplace or should I keep it there? See pictures and dimensions of my sectional that I will use in the space.