Well, we did it. We finally painted the DR and I'm posting pics. We had a great Thanksgiving dinner in there and I feel the room is definitely on its way. I wish I could say I am 100 per cent thrilled, but I must admit to some second thoughts about this color. It must stay as is for now, and it is definitely on the right track, but I am second guessing my decision to veer away from the Wilmington Tan. This color, Quincy Tan, transitions better to the foyer, which directly adjoins, but it reads more green than I had thought it would. This is actually the color that used to be in there and I went with it partially because I knew how well it would transition to other rooms, and that it would also provide some variety in the house; as virtually all other rooms are shades of yellow/gold. This time it's reading green; possibly because of the different surroundings. Or, it could be because of the painted stripes we did; darker shade is flat, lighter shade is eggshell. Anyway, have a look and give me your two cents. Also, as you can see, I'm considering adding some trim to the drapes. I am liking them more and more but they still seem kind of stark to me; could use some softening or something. Any ideas, as always, are most welcome! As you can see, the color changes quite a bit from bright daylight to night time.

Man, I had to look at pic several times with diff posters commenting about diff elements, always so observant you guys. I have never considered fabric upholstery in the dining room or a rug b/c concerned about cleanup, and I've have some messes! About diff color wood, my table is totally diff than my chairs but ALL chairs match. Maybe if this lady added a plant stand or some other small furniture in the same dark stain as the upholstered chairs, it would look more cohesive, dunno. don't mind people enhancing the AFTER pic with flowers, pretty towels in a bath, etc. Or should we expect dirty dishes sitting in the brand new decorated room for a "lived in" view?????

Kirkarch, I REALLY appreciate the time you took for that layout but I agree with what others have said. The comment that really struck home was what Stan said about creating confusion when you first walk in with 2 doors and not knowing where to go. I love the aesthetic of the 2 doors from the kitchen side, but from the front of the house, I don't think it will work =( As it turns out, a 48" single door really kills the 6'+ island, unless it encroaches on the plane of the door. With 42" aisles I can do a max of 5', by my calculations. So, back to NOT bumping out the wall into the front room with this one. The only thing I really gain with a wall bump out is a slightly deeper island and the possibility of an easy reach cabinet with breathing room around the window molding next to the sink. With this layout, i'm giving up my even reveal around the window, but from the 3d plan, it actually doesn't bug me so much since the cabinets are on different planes. Hooray! Michey 1, OCD 0! So, island is 5' across with an as yet undetermined depth. I've also temporarily nixed the stages and went down to a 33" sink base. Hopefully there's a 30" sink out there with my name on it, lol. Some questions: 42" aisles on sink and stove side. Acceptable? Island is 5' wide, unless I expand more towards the fridge wall, but then it will not line up with the edge of the stove wall cabinets. Should I keep them lined up or try to go bigger? right now I have 5'4 between cabinets on the fridge wall (they are pulled forward as shown) and the island edge and that's the main path to family room nirvana. I put the trash opening towards the DW. With a 42" aisle, think that's problematic? I will be able to sweep things to the side as MelEdwards suggested this way, which gives me more standing room opposite the stove. Now there's a janky 12" cabinet in the island. Cutting board storage, I guess? Trying to figure out where knives and such should go. Drawer above the trash? the 9" on the stove wall can be for cookie sheets, I guess. As you can tell, I haven't full mapped out my "what should go where" yet. I shrank the pantry to try and get the fridge closer to line up with the aisle, though it's still not perfect. I'm worried the pantry is becoming to narrow and deep to be useful. Was planning shallow shelves on 3 walls and deeper shelves towards the bottom on the back wall for big stuff. For a reach in pantry, how small is too small? Thank you thank you, everyone!

RTHawk-yes, I love that wallpaper in Julia's home! I have some saved that are similar but didn't want to overload with too many choices. Sabrina- I do love Strawberry Thief and actually have that pattern on my pillows. And I do also love the arm chairs, the inlay os beautiful BUT the table just does not fit the space. If the end chairs are pulled up to the table there is no room to walk behind. I feel like a circle or even oval table would allow for more space to move around. And while I do love the look of the table, it is a family heirloom and my husband insists on using a protrctive covering and >'d prefer a table thay's npt too precious.