No color advice but love your comment - " I have a vision of cute little red-headed grandkids visiting and doing projects and maybe camping out in this fun room some day. My kids are in college and hardly even dating yet," I am in the same boat only DD is trying to figure out how to have kids without the red hair. Neither DD or DS are in solid relationships as of yet. But I have started a tickle trunk non the less. Love the charcoal grey.

I think the 60" table would look wonderful there! Maybe someone with photoshop skills could photoshop it in for you. If you do get the 60" I would take inspiration from the Crate & Barrel styles pictures. Hang or lean a piece of art on the left side (where the stairway wall is a little taller). Put a big vase or two or three on the table. Crate & Barrel Taline Vases Stack a couple of books or place a few sculptural objects on the table. You could put a lamp there if you like.

I think a rug would make it work fine. But I'm wondering if you've seen the table and been able to sit at it? It looks like there is not much room for people's legs; I think it would be very uncomfortable to not be able to straighten out your legs or be able to cross your ankles, etc. Perhaps there is more room than the picture shows?

So, what is upstairs? A master suite? I do not suggest going into debt to renovate your mother’s house. If she has money for the renovations, fine.