mtnfever- thanks! Do you think that look goes better with my kitchen/DR than the Tarvine? I know the Tarvine is more fancy but think it could work anyway. I do like the simplicity of the Toscana. I wish I could see the top of it better. The Pottery Barn Frances has a plank look and looks like crumbs would get stuck in between. Also, what are all of your thoughts on doing a bench like mtnfever shows above? Actually I like the idea. I know some don't like them for getting in and out and agree that on the other side of the table the banquette bench will be a little more an issue for that. However, for this type of bench people usually just "lift a leg" and get out with out sliding down. Of course, I guess you lose the comfortability of having a chair with a back on it.. Then again, Not too often do people lean back on them during eating.... I guess more during before and after dinner conversation. A plus is that they are sometimes less $ than getting separate chairs. Christine, My fabric is not great, I think, for the banquette seat b/c it's a light fabric (in color and weight)... however maybe for some pillows. For The window seat in the same room I may use the bird fabric for the seat or again for some pillows. Maybe I could use it for a table runner : )

I'm back--thanks for all the advice! I decided to skip the dresser (DH just didn't want to mess with something that wasn't well made to begin with) and only brought home the burl/chrome console. Tradewind, I didn't get a chance to read your posts until I got home, but you have me really excited now! This piece is really gorgeous in a room with decent lighting. Very, very heavy and solid. Really well made. Thanks for clueing me in on who the designer may be--if/when I deide to resell it that will be a huge help. I do agree with everyone that something with cabinets/doors would be preferable and I do intend to now take my time looking. The right thing will come along, I know it. But for now, I'm LOVING the look of this. The good thing is that television and console are on a wall that backs up to unfinished basement, so all the wires are fed behind the wall thus minimizing the ugly wire mess. Oh yeah, while I was picking up the console at Salvation, they had just put out a pair of similar vintage rust velvet swivel bucket chairs. These things don't look like they've ever been sat in. They were $20 each! They're going in the room as well, and I love the way they look with the console. I promise to post pics as soon as I can--I'm finishing up staining/painting the dresser that is headed to Boston tomorrow for DDs apartment--that's coming out great and I'll post pics of that as well. Again, thanks for all the advice and encouragement!

I love that fabric! I would definitely keep simple on the buffet/console so it doesn't take up much visual space. https://www.ethanallen.com/en_US/shop-furniture-living-room-console-tables/braemore-rectangular-plinth-base-console-table/368207.html?dwvar_368207_finish=483#start=1 Maybe a lamp on it in the similar style as table. I can do a 3D plan for you if you want -- I have so many ideas :-)

Hi jvanlaanen- How nice that you were able to speak with Leann Ford by Zoom! In my mind, we select a professional to guide us because we like what we know of their training and their work, however, we expect that they would advise us based on the exigencies of our lives, not merely envisaging things through the lens of their own Weltanschauung. If you are allergic to mold, and or dust, and floor coverings are not good for you, never mind how they look, or who tells you to use a floor covering, don't get them! Not only that, there is a reason that homes in tropical climates use tile floors, from Hawaii to Florida to the Caribbean to India. They rot, as you yourself said earlier. Really, has Leann Ford ever lived in the tropics? And as for the marble table- Aging doesn't happen in a linear fashion, it happens exponentially. Before you know it. Not to mention the effect of sports-related injuries which can happen at any age. Even if you can move a marble table to mop, are you going to be there when the housekeeper comes? Do you think she is going to risk hurting her back to move your table? Dream on. A wood table can be repaired, sanded, stained, etc. Marble cannot. So firstly, if you are not going to get a floor covering because of your breathing (and asthma is no picnic) you need to think about how a marble table would look on your floor, and it may not look as nice directly on the floor without a floor covering. Another thing, importing things from the mainland is very expensive. Why buy a Leann Ford sofa table? You have gorgeous exotic woods in Hawaii and master craftsmen. I would keep your eyes open and comb garage sales and second-hand stores and Goodwill (and look at the online sales) and tell everyone you know you are looking for an all-wood handmade sofa table and when you go to all these stores bring index cards with your name and phone number and what you are looking for written on the cards so they will call you when it comes in. People die all the time and family members give stuff away or sell it for peanuts not realizing their value. Absolutely do NOT get three papasan chairs, that is ridiculous! In a large living room, you can have 2 sofas and 2 chairs, or one sofa and 4 chairs, 2 of the chairs are the same and the other two are the same. You may have a guest that is older or with a bad back and needs a straight back or more structured chair, and the sofa and papasan chair won't do at all. I would get at least one straight backed (but comfortable) chair that has arms. If you can find 2 that is better. I would get a sofa that is a simple tuxedo style that goes with most styles, it looks like this- I think you need a larger dining area table and chairs. One large enough to sit at least 6. I am not convinced about the buffed concrete. It is tremendously expensive. It is not commonly done or expected in Hawaii, and you will not recoup your money if you sell the house. To do it correctly takes tremendous expertise and very specialized equipment and the ways and means to get the equipment to your place easily and safely and the ability to easily and safely and ecologically dispose of the waste which is considerable. What works and is easy and economical for Leann Ford in Pennsylvania may be impossible or exorbitant in Hawaii. In addition, if the finish in the buffed concrete gets damaged it allows for the growth of mold and mildew which is the LAST thing you need. And, I think the finish needs to be touched up periodically. That is way too much maintenance. With all due respect to Leann Ford, I think you are much better off working with a certified interior who is experienced and works in Hawaii. This person will know what is available in your area for a reasonable price, who the reliable contractors are, what is considered desirable, where to obtain products, what can and can't be done, etc. Meanwhile, I would suggest you start building up a sizeable "look book" of all the things you like. You can start by perusing things here on Houzz and creating your idea books, and write what you like and don't like about all the things you save. For example, you might not like a whole room, but like the light fixture, or a painting. Or you don't know if you like anything in particular about a room, but you like the gestalt of the thing, it makes you feel relaxed. You can also upload files or photos from the internet into your Houzz idea books. Or you can save photos into your computer. You can use an interior designer from another island, he/she doesn't need to live on your island. When you are looking for ideas, you might want to look for ideas from coastal areas and tropical areas. Wait a few days, some more people on Houzz will probably contribute their opinions as well.