Hello all! A little update. Money has been tight, but I was able to save up for a coffee table. I was afraid it would be too big, but I think it looks nice. It has some storage space on both sides and I love it's look. I am curious if I should put a vase with flowers or something with a little color to put on top. Also I think a rug is in store. I also sold the recliner and it's out of my life! The apt. has been repainted by the new Landlord and that ugly hole in the wall is gone and the color is much better! They didn't put the blinds back and I'm thinking of replacing them while they are down or go with curtains. I will be putting a small bar cabinet on the right side of the TV (where that drawer is) to get my "bar" fix without using the kitchen area for it. It will fit perfectly in that unused space. (I plan on getting rid of that small drawer container. I will probably get a small dining room table or just leave the keyboard there since I have a coffee table and I know I wouldn't use the dining table except when guests come over. I was given a rug by a friend, but I feel it's too small under the coffee table, so I put it under the keyboard. I got some candles for the windowsill and I think they bring a nice touch, especially when lit. I still plan on putting a curtain to seperate the bed from the room and put a small bookcase on the left side of the TV with a mirror on the wall above it. Any comments would be appreciated. I will continue to update as more additions are very slowly added to my apt.

Your dining table in the "den" would not be in direct line with the door. But I get your point; it's close enough. The dining room is directly opposite the kitchen, and the two situations are said to cause loss of vitality and make you short-tempered over time. Put up a curtain or screen to block the view from the dining room to the kitchen and entrance. Even if you decide to use this area as an office/den it would still be a good idea to screen it from the entrance and kitchen. You have one poison arrow corner in your dining room. Place a faux plant, or a large sculpture in front of that protruding corner. Put your etagere in the area next to the faux plant, and place a mirror on the wall overlooking the table. The mirror can be square or rectangular and hung 3 to 5 ft above the floor. Have a bowl of fruit on the table that is reflected in the mirror. Below is a picture of what I have described, and it's traditional feng shui—a dining room only. It should never be used as a catchall for dumping things. I'm not saying you can't sort your mail on the table, but you should never let stuff sit there.

I've always found warm lights to not provide enough light to see what I'm doing, especially in a kitchen setting. And with respect to trial and error - I like that approach - but isn't that a bit harder with down/recessed lights? It's not as easy as screwing a bulb in and out as these are getting fitted into the ceiling. I feel like I have to get it right to begin with.

I think by cutouts the OP means shaker style recessed panel. Any further design decisions should be: White paint-everywhere Neutral fabrics- in drapes, upholstery, and area rugs Wood floors First of all, as mentioned, forget trying to tie the bathrooms into the overall design, they are too design specific. Second of all do not add any more wall treatments such as the concrete, brick, wallpaper or wood. Again, as mentioned there are so many patterns, colors and textures that everything from here on out needs to be simplified. The floor plan is nice, I like the niche used as a reading nook with bookshelves (inside the niche-not that big unit), armchair and reading lamp. Paint everything, everything, a neutral off-white, like Swiss Coffee, which works in all light conditions. Use neutral fabrics in your carpets, drapes and area rugs. If you want more color, add accent colors in throws and throw pillows, art, and kitchen accessories Any more floor coverings added need to be wood floors. P.S. I'm unclear at what work stage you are in and what you mean by finishing works. Please post photos of the actual space as it is right now.