Ok I am back..... Wow, I just read thro' all the responses and you guys rock !!! I love this forum :))) So far the consensus seems to be to open it up. To answer some of your questions.... oakleyok: The rooms are small. LR is 13 x 18 and FR is 11 x 18. So if we open it up, it will prob. be around 24 x 18 which I think is a nice size....Not too big nor small... bumbledoodle & jan in wisconsin: Thanks for sharing :) I am glad you love the openess....Its very affirming. We currently have a full set of furniture in the LR(Sofa, loveseat, 2 chairs, coffee & end tables). In the FR, we have a loveseat, 3 accent chairs and the TV which is currently on a console. One wall in the FR is dominated by a brick fireplace, similar to the inspiration photo that I linked. So I guess we will have two separate seating areas, even if we open up the rooms. Prob. one will be near the fireplace and another TV watching area.... lynninnewmex, nanny2a & bronwynsmom: Yes, I def. plan to check with an architect if its a load bearing wall or not. I've read (in cote de texas's blog) that if you put in a doorway, it wouldn't cause an issue to the structure as opposed to removing the entire wall. Is this right?? palimpset & pps7: Thanks for letting me know that traditional homes have open architecture...I never knew that. I didn't grow up in this country, so a lot of it is new to me......Now I feel better that I won't be really messing up with the integrity of the house :) Scanmike: Thanks for sharing your pics. You have a beautiful home. I really love your sunroom..I wish I had one and also some new kittens :) susanilz: I think we'll be here for atleast the next 5 yrs...Maybe 10 yrs...I don't have the energy to move anytime soon...So I guess, it makes sense to make it into something functional for us.... vampiressrn: We don't entertain a lot...But def. a few times a year, we have large gatherings for 30+ ppl....Maybe we'll be more prone to entertaining with an open area...I am feeling really pressurized cos we're having a formal gathering of nearly 50 ppl...Its a prayer meeting, so everyone will be sitting together in the same space unlike a party where ppl can move around... Initially, I was considering putting in only a regular doorway (with a french door or pocket door). But after committing to hosting such a large gathering, I am really at a loss on how we're going to accomodate everyone. This was the trigger to everything..... jamaraz: Thanks for sharing your experience...I am scared about the unknowns...Sometimes I think I am opening up a can of worms :) monablair: I am not sure it would work for us. Like I said, the FR has a fireplace and has a very cozy vibe..Maybe I could place some seating around it and have some bookshelves against the adjacent wall to create like a reading/library room (similar to the little reading nook in Somethings gotta give)....I love my books :))) awm: Thats exactly the look I wanted initially. But somehow DH is against the idea of french doors or pocket doors. He wants a more open feel I don't know if I should really listen to him. He doesn't hang out obsessively in design forums like I do, KWIM :)) He's pretty clueless when it comes to design..... How wide do you think that opening is in the pic?? I initially did want doors. But I am not sure how wide the opening would be if we put in doors(like I said, we're trying to accomodate nearly 50 in one space) Also, with french doors, I am thinking if it will hamper the space/furniture placement when we open the door. tomorrowisanotherday: Yes, I really don't want to lose real estate value...I will have to somehow figure this out and make it work.... dlm: Thanks for sharing your pics :) Your french doors are so gorgeous...I don't have any in my home and I really love the look of one :( teaforwendy: We do have a door connecting the FR to the breakfast nook & kitchen. Its not as open as I would like it to be but I don't mind it too much for now...Maybe it could be a project for the future...... kjmama: Yes, we did talk before :) Infact, I searched and pulled up your thread yday to get more ideas. How's the doorway working for you?? Are you done with decorating? Any pics to share :) Please keep the ideas coming...Right now, I am def. leaning twds putting in a doorway...Our "handyman" is coming to take a look tomorrow...But I need to check with an architect about the load bearing aspect of it before we start on anything....Will keep you all updated and will also, try to figure out how to post pics meanwhile..... Thanks once again :)

There is no way I could give an informed opinion whether or not one element of a design would be out of place without seeing the whole plan for colors, fabrics, materials, furniture, etc.. Taken out of context, lots of design ideas would seem out of place at first blush. I live in a brick house in Georgia and our lower level has brick floors and one wall of 8" (or 10", now I don't remember!) lap siding. It's on the inside of an exterior wall and I think it looks perfect, even though ours is not a farmhouse and I had never seen the shiplap version of this idea on HGTV when it first occurred to me. Walls can be constructed or faced with a variety of materials--- wood, plaster, drywall, glass, stone, tiled with ceramic or stone...l have even seen vinyl panels as walls in a mobile home. In your place I would a design a home that pleases ME and not let my friends' HGTV watching influence it.

Window treatments would help - choose your favorite color, or a color from one of the pieces of artwork. I think both pieces of art have a maroon/cranberry mat - that may be a good color for window treatments. You may want to have a decorator assist - JC Penney is a good place for reasonably priced window treatments & some stores have decorators to assist. I see many places for accents/artwork - the wall next to the fireplace, the walls on either side of the windows on the TV wall, and the large wall where your trunk is. Perhaps a larger piece of furniture in place of the trunk - a side table where you can display items, even the trunk! Perhaps an area rug to anchor your furniture too.

The fridge was the first thing I noticed also....perhaps a decorative screen could disguise that...how much room do you have on that wall to add something useful there to disguise it?...the challenge here is that there isn’t really any space to add decor here....paint is really the only option to make a noticeable difference ...painting cabinets is not a job for an amateur...so that leaves the walls....there isn’t much wall space so you could do a bright color that you like...or wall paper...what is your favorite color? I always like a pale but bright aqua in areas that are small and have dark elements...the back wall and soffit could be a different color like a pale Apple green...this would bring the most life and excitement to the area with the least amount of work....add a screen ...also spray painted if you like ...in front of the fridge ....