The painting was finished yesterday. Thankfully, it turned out so beautifully that my husband didn't cry too long when he got the bill. My painter couldn't help letting him know that the Benjamin Moore Aura paint I chose was the most expensive he had ever worked with. I had several minor issues with the painting team but nothing that I didn't get corrected and worked out. The big surprise was that the Benjamin Moore store mixed my paint wrong twice! That's right, the people that pride themselves on their color mixed one gallon of Edgecomb gray minus one of the colors and gave me a yellowy cat puke color. Of course because of the "north-facing-shadow" challenges, he didn't notice it until he had painted ¼ of the crown molding in one room and touched up baseboards in another. The second mistake was putting enough tint for a gallon can in a quart sized can of Revere Pewter. Now that mistake worked out well, because there seemed barely any difference between the Edgecomb Gray and the Revere Pewter except the RP looking muddy... so the darker quart actually worked better; and I put that color in the back of my book case. Otherwise EVERYTHING was painted the EG. I am still waiting for the enamel to cure so nothing can get put away yet. I'll post before and after pics once everything is back in place. And yes, I'm taking all the advice and editing and decluttering as much as I can. Thanks again everyone for all the very helpful advice.

I am glad you liked it! :) Sorry for the late response, I've tried to think about alternative solution with more passage space. It's not so standard as previous two layouts, but it does give more space and maybe it give you an inspiration with your living room: I've choose the red stools to balance the red chair and to define and highlight central conversation area, but at the same time to keep view at fireplace unblocked (when they are not in use). I had to change color of one chair, since having the chair in the corner in the same red color kept kicking the space out of balance. I don't know if you like that trend of layered rugs, in the case you do, I think it could help in your case to break a bit long, rectangular shape of the room. On the short wall I though buffet with a mirror or art could provide a focal point for seatings placed by fireplace. In this setup I've put two rounded coffee tables instead long rectangular one to avoid highlighting the length of the room. @Kim, thank you :)

"I thought a small brick wall around the new smaller garden beds with low growing plants may be eye pleasing." I'm going to disagree with you here. If the intention of this small "wall" is that it appear like a curb, but it is not actually back-filled to its top height, then it ends up looking like a fraud -- insomuch as its top edge is exposed. Either have a real curb that is back-filled to the top. Or don't have the bed raised at all ... where the drive edge meets the bed, flush. Either of those ways will look fine and non-fraudulent. The things that end up looking bad in landscape are the things that look like they really don't, or can't, work, or are just flat out fake simulations. Before you start considering what plants you should have and how you should have them (except in the most general way) you should resolve ALL the details of the hardscape. You say there is going to be a retaining wall at the left corner of the house. Describe this in detail or show a plan/sketch of it. If it is not yet planned, we should know that as well. In each of your pictures, we can see a snippet of something that needs attention and are able to report that back to you. But it is frustrating to piecemeal the response in this way. What you need to show us is the complete front, square on, in one fell swoop, and not from too far away, i.e., THE COMPLETE SCENE (including some surroundings beyond the house ends also showing within the scene.) Given that the landscape area right of the garage is separated from the rest of the foundation planting area by an expanse of paving, we'll probably need a separate picture of what's over there later. But for starters, you need to show the main foundation planting area as it sits in front of the house. To do this. take the camera to the side of the drive opposite the front door, and be in line with the front door. In the camera viewfinder, can you see the top of the roof and at least half the width of the driveway. If you can't move a little farther away. (In some cases, it is easier simply to hold the camera vertically so that these things show up. Once you are the right distance away and lined up with the front door, stay at that spot for all pictures. Then take a series of slightly overlapping photos that pan from left to right, showing the entire front of the house, including surrounding background space beyond each end, Post these pictures and we'll be able to see your complete house front. You cannot change the camera position between photos. The camera merely pivots. I caution you against having a VERY low (4" or less) step between drive and walk. It will be a trip hazard. If a step is required (too much elevation change for a ramp) then it is better to have a stoop. A 6" stoop is a good step. Too high or too low can be awkward and misleading.

If it were me I would make both areas double function, meaning, I would have a comfortable dining capacity in both areas, but I would also have a place to just sit and relax in both areas, either enjoying the view out the window or the warmth of the fireplace and the conviviality of the kitchen. I’d also want a table near the kitchen for those times I didn’t want to haul my lunch or breakfast or evening soup all the way across the house. I’m a big fan of off-center dining areas utilising banquettes and benches, so that is what I would think about doing in your dining area: A high-backed dining bench on the wall to the left of the window, fronted by your table and chairs, and then make the rest of the room a place to soak up the sun (your pooch has already figure it out) and to read when guests aren’t there for lunch. I’d give the living area near the kitchen a clubby feel, with a deep swivel chair positioned at the fireplace, and a table at a height comfortable for dining while sitting in the cornered sofa set. If you can find a table on wheels might even be better. You definitely need a serving trolley if you are keeping the dining table at the opposite end of the house from the kitchen.