So besides the computer, what else do I put in there? Our living room currently has a tv. Do I make it more of a study room? I am really at a loss. If anyone has a dining room that they have made into another room, I would love to see or hear about it. I have a space intended as a formal dining room that's currently being transitioned into a home office. I just don't dine formally, I guess! The room has two regular desks, placed perpendicularly to each other in an L shape - one is mine, one is hubby's. He's a system engineer & spends a lot of time on the computer. I'm a PhD student, and spend most ofmy time writing/researching (for which I use my laptop), but I also do digital art that I use my desk for. My husband composes music so he also has his synthesizer in there. It's hidden by the other desk, thank goodness. We also currently have a wide lateral file, which holds my printer, a bookcase, and a smaller shelving unit. I plan to remove the shelving unit. We still have the chandelier in there - plan to swap it for a ceiling fan with light fixture. It's still painted in the green I had chosen for its use as a FDR, but with the office furniture we have it will need to be repainted. My DD is not quite 3 so we also have a small chair for her in there -- she has a play room upstairs, but she likes to sit with DH and make music on his keyboard. :)

Regarding your question about laying something over the marble, in our last home the previous owners laid ceramic over ceramic and we lived there for over 25 years - no cracks. It will be a pain though for anyone down the road who is updating, but you could ask a pro to be sure (will need a transition piece at doorways). The area where closet was will have to be filled in and very level. If it were me, I’d bite the bullet and remove the marble and try to match up to your wood floor or use a more casual, rustic feel. You may look back and wish you had, especially if the marble looks patched.

We are waiting on new stainless steel fridge, range and microwave. I hope your new fridge is counter-depth. This refrigerator sticking out is not doing you any favors. Also removing the decorative valance above the sink. I'd like to see a curtain to bring in some color and softness ... and a matching /coordinating drape for the sliding glass door. Paint colors for walls? What color is predominant in your closet? Consider that for your walls. Everything you have is neutral colors ... I'd like to see a tile backsplash with some color and personality ... not plain white tile. Anything else we can do to put lipstick on our pig!!!! - Do those soffits contain ducts? Removing them would be a big (but not inexpensive) step. - If you remove the soffits, you could then replace the uppers with something taller. The cabinets you have now look to be in good condition, but the uppers look kinda squatty. Again, not an inexpensive fix. - Painting the cabinets won't be easy because they're oak /they have strong veining. - How about replacing that very basic door we see beyond the kitchen? - Replacing the countertops would go miles and miles towards updating the look. i think you need color. Agree. You have wood and white, and that gray mat doesn't count as "color". Try black Thonet chairs with cane seats. I don't know what kind of chairs those are, and I'm not a big fan of cane seats, but I think you need some non-basic chairs. I like the chairs you have now -- I have their first cousin -- but everything you have is so simple, you need something with a bit more personality. I'd pick a color and thread it through -- rug, chair seats, maybe a teapot or other visible accessory. Art on the wall from which the photos are taken? Agree with all of the above.

Wow, some really great insights and a lot for us to think about. Here is what my house currently looks like. As you can see, we are trying to keep the existing space as intact as possible. Maybe this drawing will help with some of the thought processes? As you can see the current layout is what it is, and I'm trying to work around it. Most of the houses in our area have our design. If I make it 'optimal' then we've invested in the house more then we would be able to recoup 10-15 years down the line. If I take the current living room/kitchen area and open space that (so we can open it up into the backyard), then I feel that it will be smaller of a space and that the master would be on the noisy street (vs keeping it in the back and quieter). But I am very grateful for and appreciate all of the suggestions. And yes, this new plan is from a real architect. :/