I love the accent wall direction, but I'm not liking the round/sunburst shape there. It mirrors the lamp, but the room is predominantly rectangular so the sunburst mockups look like they sort of complete. Maybe if you could add more curves, through some pillows on the chairs, candles on the coffee table, etc? If you room had a less contemporary feel I'd think it was the perfect spot for some type of gallery mantel, but I don't see a "this and that" approach working too well in your space. As-is, I'd go with something that kept the lines of the rug and fireplace... just for example: Or maybe something that was rectangular (square, but we can pretend...) AND round AND silver-toned:

I actually like the original peninsula from Creekylis' idea #1. The refrigerator location is actually a plus...it makes it available to not only the kitchen but also to the DR, FR, & Nook and has the added bonus that if someone from the Nook or FR needs to get to the refrigerator s/he won't have to go into the kitchen and possibly interfere w/prep/cooking/cleaning up. Using the same thoughts, having a peninsula next to the refrigerator forces someone going to the refrigerator for a snack to enter the working area of the kitchen. If it were me, I also would not want to close off the entry hall and force everyone to go through the FR to get to the Nook or Kitchen (and, to get to the kitchen you have to go around the peninsula). Maybe you could take Weedyacres' idea only make it a free-standing peninsula attached to that small 3' wall. It would give you more space in the Nook. If you have the seating facing the kitchen you could then, on the kitchen side, have an undercounter MW and store snacks in drawer next to the MW. See the picture below. Yes, someone from the FR will have to go around to get to the MW or refrigerator, but it shouldn't be too bad since it's not that big a detour. There will still be some separation from the kitchen work area as well.

In your latest, while the pantry access from the kitchen won't be quite as convenient, I think it will work. I think it's better than the one with only one entrance. Plus, it gives you a shortcut from the garage to the Garden room w/o having to go through the kitchen - which I can almost guarantee that people would do - and that they would cut through the main workspace instead of going around the island. I like it! I also like the idea of the appliance pass through - which makes me wonder if you could also use it as a staging area for things you want from the pantry to cut down on the amount of running around to the side door with your arms full - you might want to make it another foot or two wider to use it that way. Will the pass through have a door to hide the appliances from view when not in use (and to hide the interior of the pantry)? I do have two concerns about the pantry: #1 - You don't appear to have much real storage space. Do you really need that sink in there? I'd rather see that wall be all shelving for food storage. If you really want a sink, then put it on the opposite wall. Make the wall that's shared with the kitchen a row of cabs + counter with the sink. It would also make it easier for the pass through idea. #2 - The refrigerator & Freezer locations...First, the refrigerator may not open fully b/c it's against the wall and it might not quite fit b/c of the door frame/trim. You will need at least 6" b/w the wall and the refrigerator to allow it open fully - and then it will be opening into the doorway. Second, how wide is that aisle b/w the refrigerator and freezer handles and the opposite wall? You don't want to have a "pinch" point there since you will exiting with items in your hands/arms. I would try for at least 45". So, how much space do you really need in your office? I know that when I work from home, I rarely take up more space than that needed for a desk to hold my laptop + two large monitors + notebook space (yes, I still take hand-written notes!) You might want to take another foot or so of depth on the "bottom" to add to the pantry to give you a wider aisle. Inside the pantry, I would add another 6", at least, to the refrigerator/freezer wall so you can put a 6" pullout or similar b/w the refrigerator and wall. Idea! Why not take 13.5" and... From the wall, add 1.5" filler (to clear the door trim) Then, 12" pullout for brooms, etc. Then, refrigerator & freezer Then, shelving Finally, eliminate the "Broom" cabinet on the bottom and use that for more cab/counter space in the pantry.

if hapypaws meant thuja green giants .... be clear.. that you do not have room for those .... period ... [your welcome hapy] if you want to throw in some vertical aspects.. look into degroots spire .... comparatively thinner in the years to come .... https://duckduckgo.com/?q=Thuja+occidentalis+%27DeGroot%27s+Spire%27&t=ffcm&iax=images&ia=images my first thought.. along the garage.. was also ... drag those ugly bushes toward the fence.. and make the walkway along the building ... though im not sure as to ID .. and the cost/benefit of moving those things .... the spires might look better along the fence ... and give you a wider walkway ..... you probably have to get the lawnmower thru that space???? .. is it a rider??? as to general planting.. see link ... note the timing aspect .... planting is an early spring thing.. not the heat of summer thing .... so either get it done early.. or wait until fall ... for best chance at success .... or bifurcate your your plan ... https://sites.google.com/site/tnarboretum/Home/planting-a-tree-or-shrub why are you fixated on holly??? .. nothing wrong with them.. you just mention them many times ... plz give us a more specific big city name .... if you plan on joining us more often.. its best to go to your members page and add you location.. as you note most of us have ... it matters ... you too hapy!!! is snow load damage really a zone 7 issue???? lastly ... do not plant so far down the driveway.. that you have problems with seeing down the road when backing out .... ken ps: whats the tree out from the porch toward the monster tree??? ... how far is it from the porch??? .. and while your are at it.. whats the totem pole tree and whats the deal with that?????