hi busybme, I have a similar set up to November with my dining table (can't really call it a breakfast area as at this point, it is the only table we have - if we can add on a bedroom, we'll move our laundry/utility upstairs and turn that into a formal dining room). here are some pictures. It is in a high traffic area but works out just fine. The kids do a lot of arts and crafts or games at the table so I like that they are close by while I am in the kitchen. There is a half wall seperating the dining area from the family room. The unintentional benefit is that I can't see the toys all over the place when I am in the kitchen. It always looks so clean from waist up!!

A big vote for a basic gray to be used throughout the whole area -- THEN add your orange accents in fabrics, artworks, rugs etc. In time -- and perhaps according to the seasons -- you MIGHT want to switch accent colors -- and this way -- it is easier to do .... Also -- perhaps consider waiting until you can find an inspiration piece -- like an area rug or artwork -- and THEN match the color and shade of gray -- MUCH easier to do in that order! :) For example check out BM Willowcreek #1468 -- a medium (but still fairly light warm gray) .... Hope you don't mind some thoughts!

Here is my first thought... Think about the floral chairs. You mentioned that you use tablecloths quite a bit. The floral pattern may limit using a pattered tablecloth - unless it's a stripe fabric. Something to consider... But I do like the chairs. I'm not crazy about using all upholstery, as in your second photo. Did you not like the silver tub chair from World Market? The only reason why I say this is because of the white chairs and white cabinet. If one is a brighter white, it may not look right. The metal is more like a neutral. Also - it looks like you have more red accents in your kitchen - the solid upholstered chair is more rust. Here is another patterned chair with more red tones: Also - when your guy makes the table, make sure he gives you enough overhang on each end (short ends) so you can get two chairs there if you want. As it appears now, you would be limited to one chair, sitting between the legs. [[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/farmhouse-dining-room-farmhouse-dining-room-charlotte-phvw-vp~1603708) [Contemporary Dining Room design[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/contemporary-dining-room-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_722~s_2103) by Charlotte Architect Pursley Dixon Architecture

I would make the move. The reason to have both a family room and a living room is so that you have a quiet spot, maybe a more formal spot, for the adults, and a noisier spot with the TV and other entertainment for the family to enjoy together. Having them open to one another defeats this. They are often on opposite ends of the downstairs. My living room is off the foyer. Oddly, my foyer leads to the bedrooms straight ahead. Another hall that intersects the hall that leads to the bedrooms leads to the kitchen, which is behind the front-facing garage. Our family room is behind the kitchen. So our kitchen, family room, half-bath, and laundry room are clustered together behind the garage. Our three bedrooms and main bath are clustered together at the end of the hall that leads from the foyer. The living room is all by itself, next to the front door and foyer. Our living room and family room are as far apart as two rooms can get and still be in this house. Will you put a door on that 40" opening into the entertainment/family room? A door will help keep those in the living room and office (and guest bedroom down the hall) from having to hear the TV, but also will make monitoring the activities in that room more difficult. If you want a door there to keep the kids corralled while they are toddlers, you might consider a dutch door, where you may close the bottom half of the door, but leave the top half open. That way, if one of you is in the family room with the kids, the other in the office or living room, you can still talk between the two rooms, but the toddlers can't toddle out of their play space. Do you and your spouse now sit in the living room or the family room while the children are playing? Will you both be joining the kids in the newly closed off room? If not, that means less together time. That right there is the biggest concern I have. You do not want to decrease your time together. If putting up a wall between the two rooms puts up a wall between the two of you, don't do it. If you do put up the wall, I would add a nice big tree in the sunny corner of the living room on the right side of your photo, then a nice large art piece or a triptych of tall panels in the center of the wall will fill in well. The triptych follows the theme you have in the hall with the three brick art pieces. I hope others come along with ideas for you. Be sure and let us know what you decide.