What is going on with the wood at the other end

We moved to Florida from NY. The house we bought was so dark inside because of large overhangs from the roof which blocks sunlight and a large lanai running across the back wall which has a roof, no sunlight. We liked the house, but I couldn't stand how dark it was inside. Before we moved in, I call a Tubular Skylight company to get an estimate on installing them in the house. Recommendation was a large one in the kitchen ceiling ($500.00), small one in a bathroom off the hallway($250.00), a medium size in the family room off the kitchen ($325.). I can't tell you how bright this area is now. What I liked is they just go through your attic, make the openings and can position the tube (in the attic) toward south so we get bright light from sunrise to sunset. Over the past 6 yrs when we could afford more, we added to the laundry room (no windows), another bathroom (small skylight), the dining room. My house is so bright when you walk in you think there are spotlights all over the place. It took me a while, initially when the first ones were put in to get used to the high level of light. Looked like a new house! Before putting them in, we had to have our overhead lights lit all day. That costs a lot of money. I feel these tube skylights have paid for themselves in 5 yrs. Plus the house looks like a bright, inviting home. Everyone who walks in comments on how bright our home is. I would look into installing at least one large one in the kitchen, maybe a medium in the hall. So much less expensive than 'real skylights' and keeping the lights lit all day. Jane

JudyG Designs - Unfortunately the room is Not large enough to have the chaise part of the sectional along the wall. (Wanted the same layout but doing so puts the couch almost touching our wood burning fireplace - yikes!) I will definitely check out Etsy (love them)! I did not know I some vendors would suggest a grouping if I provided a photo - that is great! Thank you again :-)

I actually think you have a nice kitchen, without doing much at all. The creamy white is not helping it appear brighter at all. Install more lighting, and change the creamy white to a bright white. That appears to be an oven in the brick wall. Not sure why the counter runs in front of that. If you dont need that counterspace, I would eliminate that section of countertop. You dont need to paint the walls white, you can pick a white with a hint of color in it, so you get a bit of interest in there. I would also leave the brick the way it is. If that is the oven in that brick, I cant even imagine how hard it is to use, with that counter in front of it. I am also not fond of the new choice for countertop, you picked. I would keep the cabinets like they are, and pick a new countertop, in a whiter white. Make sure your lighting is about 4000k led daylight bulbs.