The space lends itself to a round table, which offers a great deal of flexibility in terms of seating. I like round tables in casual dining areas. I have a 42-inch round and it's too small for 5 people. I recommend at least a 60-inch. You generally want to clear 4 feet around it, which you would accomplish given the dimensions of the actual room. Maybe a mock-up or tape it off to try out a size.

Working blind, not knowing what walls are loadbearing. Here are some pet peeves about the layout: 1) I hate the opening between dining room and kitchen, which sends through traffic by the sink and presumably DW; 2, hate the stairs coming down right in front of a wall; 3) most of the foyer to me is wasted and down the road I would try to reallocate most of it to the BR; and 4, Not fond of both a breakfast nook and dining room. What I would do: 1) Close current opening between dining room and kitchen to provide a large L-shaped area. 2) Create new opening at extreme left side of that existing wall. 3) Remove part of the wall between laundry area and breakfast nook. End the wall aligned with the stairs so they will be visible from breakfast nook and kitchen. 4) Move fridge (counter depth if possible) to the left of the sink. If space permits, steal a couple of feet from the breakfast nook but ensure there is room for a small table and chairs. 5) By moving the opening between the dining area and kitchen, and relocating the fridge, you now should have room for a decent sized island in the most popular kitchen shape: an L shaped island with a working (no seating) island. The island would be a great landing zone for the pantry and fridge. Given the structural changes, I would use a design-build firm that has a kitchen designer and a civil engineer or architect on board.

Is the nook east or south of the kitchen? Do you have a formal and separate dining room for entertaining? This might be fine as a breakfast nook for two, or a work area for one, but not really for a group. It will be entirely too tight. What is through the door on the east side?

Appreciate your ideas and encouraging comments. :). A little back story of the tree limb: my brother in law, Mike saved this piece of wood in his Oregon home before he passed away suddenly and unexpectedly last year. We helped the family move my sister back home to IL and I couldn’t leave this wood behind. Leave it to “ol Mike” to find beauty amd art in a piece of wood. I suppose Mike had something in mind to build like a birdhouse or add to his garden with a flower pot or maybe feed the humming birds. I’ll never know. Mike was a gourmet chef, outdoorsman, nature lover, fisherman, photographer and swell guy. It’s only fitting I will save this trunk to make a little end table suggested. (Thank u’) Every time I see it, I smile. And all the comments made me giggle at the thought of Mike laughing at us in heaven too. Crate and Barrel might even try to copy the concept and then I’ll be able to afford expert design advice finally. Kidding of course. I promise to post some after pics !