"Dilemma number one is right there as you walk in. The old style railing and bay window. Most living will probably go on in the family room further up front. What would make this a really attractive area that says wow when you enter?" I'm confused there. Is that the actual entry (I don't see a door). If that is an entry hall I'd treat it traditionally with a center table and put a lovely piece of glass or art on the center table. Hall tree and bench against the wall and a piece of art on the wall...treat it like a gallery but keep the scale small enough to move around easily. "Dilemma number two is the hall bedroom with the shelves. It will be occupied by a college friend for now. I doubt they have *that* many books to fill up two rows. The room is small, and I can't come up with a way to update and really make use of the space. It also has a chair rail, as does the adjoining small hall bedroom next door. " So far that appears to be the prettiest room in the house IMO. I wouldn't fill that with two rows of books...I'd use it for display of collectables and some books on a limited basis, lots of blank space as well. I'd paint the entire room in a soft and somewhat bright color to lighten it up. Maybe a soft celery green? I love the window and the shelves. "The last dilemma, at least for now is adding a breakfast bar or island to the kitchen, so there is a place for a quick coffee besides the gazebo. Would you place a small bar/island by the pillar and slightly obstruct the path to the dinette, or have a small work island plus put a small bistro near the french doors and visually block the entry to the family room from the kitchen." Whew those are challenging spaces. My first thought was to find out which walls are supporting and which can go. I'm assuming you want to do something less invasive. OK so here goes my lecture.... Some homes aren't suitable to breakfast bars or islands. The layout is wrong or the size isn't compatible. Forcing one in causes (in the words of sir toppum hat...my son's hero) confusion and delay. Actually it causes a traffic nightmare. You might have room to tuck a stool under the end of that little bar area, but that's it and to force one in isn't sensible really. I have two homes with no area sensible for island seating...suprisingly we've survived and learned to sit at a proper table :) It's not all bad. If you feel you must have this...and really I don't think it's a smart idea, I'd put a very small bistro table right smack in front of the doors to the outside, NOT in any of the other walkways. But honestly, I'd put a smaller table in the gazebo and a very small loveseat or a couple of soft chairs with a table off to one side of the gazebo for more casual coffee seating. It's going to be a fun space eventually, but you have your work cut out for you now. Take it slowly and you'll figure out how to live in the space :) Whatever you do, don't turn the gazebo into a pretend outdoor one with fake ferns, flowers on the walls, blah blah...I've seen it done and it's painful :oP

You did a beautiful job on your remodeling! The kitchen is lovely. I really like the dragonfly fabric. I think you could use it again over the window seat. From a distance it reads as a solid. What I picture over your window seat is a scalloped valance hung from knobs. I don't know if I'm describing that right - I'll try to find a picture. I think if you vary the style a little but use the same fabric, it will look great. In terms of where to mount the valance, if you plan to use the window seat for seating at the table, I think the valance would feel awkward mounted outside. However, an outside mounted valance would make the seat more cozy for curling up with a book and a cup of tea (or glass of wine). As far as the other windows, I don't think you have to use the same treatment on all the windows b/c I think there is enough separation between the rooms. I have found wood blinds to be heavy and bulky to completely raise up. Have you thought about roman shades? You could use different (but coordinating) fabrics in each room or opt for a neutral or woven wood for all the windows.

I would look at roller shades and maybe even the possiblity of battery powered ones. They will give you a clean look and clear view of your window openings. If you want curtains, you can use an iron rod and have it bent to the corners of your bay windows. Use a mount at either end and 1 in the middle (screw it in place so the rod doesn't move). You can then close the curtains to the center of the opening without any major issues.

An accessible, one level deck across the back of your entire home might be nice. With access from the dining and the master bedroom. I suggest that you look into alternative deck railings... There are more options than wooden spindles and rails that block your view. The newer frame rails with and wire strung across them will allow a better view as would panels of glass or plexiglass with a structure to support them. Do people really sit in bay window seats or simply perch? Would a larger, picture window with good chairs angled in front of it work? That is what I would prefer! Good luck with your project!