Interesting: does the open corner firebox work for you? I've never seen one I really liked. My sister's makes me crazy, but its on a flat wall and the lack of symetry ruins the whole space. Looks to me like the travertine[?] above was probably added after the fact, in a mis-guided attempt to update it. That would explain why it sticks out so much further, and doesn't match the stone below. Removing that would be my first priority: strip it down to the bones, and see just what you have to work with. But unless the open corner makes sense in your space, I'd probably rip the whole thing out and start over.

Hi everyone! I'm sorry I haven't been able to post - things have been pretty hectic with work and the house. Everything's moving very quickly! I wanted to thank everyone for their ideas and information, and give you an update. We played around with the idea of a galley kitchen layout for a little while as suggested in some of the posts, but decided to go with a modified version of Plan A where the sink is in the corner of the "L" and the DW underneath the small side window. We now have plenty of counter space next to the range (thanks for the heads up buehl - I'm pretty new to this stuff and 15" next to the stove would've been tough). I know we lose a little base cabinet storage with the corner sink, but I think it looks better there than being off-center on the side wall. And, I think we should be able to fit our pots and pans in the space. In terms of the eating area - I don't mind the sitting right next to the hallway (we don't want to be IN the hallway, but next to it is ok - and we should have enough space for that). I think palimpsest made a good point in that there won't be traffic issues when the two occupants of the home are sitting down for dinner. We still haven't decided on what to do with the seating area yet. We will probably put in a table for 4 (normal or counterheight) as shown in the original Plan A. However, I am also considering a built-in counter with 2 seats facing into the kitchen (and maybe a third at the end of the counter) in case we need more base cabinet storage and counterspace. However, my BH doesn't like this option since it is less intimate dining and less flexible. Thanks again for all your feedback! I will try to keep you updated as much as possible!

Probably Sopranos and maybe Six Feet Under? The Wire is up there. Sopranos makes you really care about these horrible, yet terribly interesting people. Also some good action and plotting, although it didn't know where to go towards the end and the last season sucked! Six Feet Under could be very bleak and moody at times but so quirky and artistic. I also have a soft spot for Dallas and Knots Landing. Those last two shows aren't nearly as good from an artistic standpoint, but love the nostalgia and the characters. Speaking of Six Feet Under, yes I loved Ruth's upstairs part of the funeral home. It was so vintage-y and old, but totally Ruth! Carmela Soprano---those fake leather couches with the big puffy arms? That godawful kitchen chandelier and the balloon valances? The formica kithen counters with the wood trim. I did kind of like the rugs in her entry and living room with the water lily motif and the coral colors in her living room. That musical note thing above her living room fireplace was gross. Does anybody remember Valene Ewing's pepto-pink living room? Loved the house and the grounds at Gary Ewing's ranch, but the inside was disappointing. You'd think with Abby living there it would have been a bit more grand. Karen McKenzie's house looked like real people may have lived there. Remember Valene's boyfriend Ben? He had that amazing beach house with the sunroom filled with exotic orchids.

I just re-read the OP’s dilemma description, where it is stated that this is a ”smaller greatroom.” And the OP has not posted any pics of the other side of this space. This may not be a great room, at all. This may technically be an entry foyer, that someone may have been using as - or has been selling as - a useable great room space. If anything, there may be ‘some’ minimal room on the other side of this space for a 4-chair, with center cocktail table/or ottoman, type of setup - which could be an appropriately used setup, in a larger entry foyer or small great room. And so it would make sense that there is a powder room in the entry hall/foyer. ‘ ’ ‘Possibly’, a portion of this space could be used as a dining area — if no other dining area is available. But I really do not think this space is intended to be - nor could reasonably be repurposed as - a great room. I would have to see pics of the other side of the room / but my sense - based on traffic patterns, the front door and fireplace location, as well as the powder room location - this is essentially a large foyer.