I really am thankful for everyone's comments and I'm trying not to feel too overwhelmed. For me the kitchen remodel seems easy compared to this stuff! I'm taking your advice and slowing down a bit because I don't want to make a costly mistake. karen.iz: With such a large, out of scale sectional in the room now, I admit I'll need to double check going with the 97" sofa. Especially since we don't have end tables or ottomans in the space today. Luckily we get to check out the exact sofa for comfort in person in a few weeks when the sample gets back to the only store that carries the line within a 2 hour's drive. I'll also tape out the sofa and end tables on the floor before we decide to order. hollysprings: I really appreciate the built-in may not maximize the layout opportunities of the room, but its location works for us. Plus DH reminded me that he doesn't like sitting with his back to the door which is another reason for its placement. I truly appreciate everyone's comment that the built-in needs some work, but I'm going to take advice from joanie30's, camlan's and others and leave the built-in alone for now. Come back to it when other elements of the room are done and decide what needs to change. camlan: Chairs on casters is a great idea. I was sitting in the den last night and I completely forgot about needing floor space for our 2 large dogs to hang out. Plus I think less furniture is better for this room and for the transitional style we prefer. So I'm leaning towards only one chair in the room on casters. To your point, I can put a second comfy chair on casters in the entry way or LR so we could easily pull it into the den when we need it. Problem solved! 90% of the time it's only DH and I in the room so we really don't need 2 chairs. Also, we'll have ottomans in the space that will provide additional short-term seating. I like your idea of a shelving unit on the other side of the FP to balance the window. I like that idea because it gives us display space for family pictures. joanie30, andee: You really hit the head on the nail about the TV so thanks for articulating it so clearly. I've decided against dark walls and leaning towards sticking with the colors on the paint strip. Once I find a rug and the exact fabric for the sofa, we'll decide which color works best. On the layout front: If we go with one chair, where would you put it? I like the idea of a shelving unit on the other side of the FP to balance the window and for display. What would you then do with the storage chest? Here's an inspiration shot from houzz. Should I be looking for a unit like this? I like that it's open on the sides and back so it doesn't look so heavy, but will this be too modern next to our very traditional FP? [[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/modified-telluride-by-candlelight-homes-traditional-family-room-salt-lake-city-phvw-vp~384294) [traditional family room design[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/traditional-family-room-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_720~s_2107) by salt lake city general contractor Candlelight Homes So what do you all think of these chairs? They're all from MGBW so I can get them in our inspiration fabric. Am I even close? Chair 1- My favorite but does it look too much like the sofa? Chair 2- Close second favorite Chair 3- I like it but it seems "short" for the room

Maryland - you should be in zone 7. I also like the brown; it's fitting for the style of house. As for landscaping, you can lighten up the heaviness of the old pines with the addition of a lacy dogwood or one of the many beautiful varieties of Japanese Maples out at the sunny edge of the stone retaining wall. The lamppost bed would look nice with something simple like Perovskia or Walker's Low Nepeta - both have silver grey foliage with lavender blue spikes of flowers. I'd resist the temptation to color up with the usual assortment of rhododendrons and azaleas - beautiful, but just everywhere in the Mid-Atlantic. Sometimes less is more.

mpagmom - So glad I can help you procrastinate! I always have something for you to think about, if you are in need with your own list of things to ponder. Thanks for including the link/pics to the garbage under the sink. I'm open to the idea of garbage or recycling under the sink - or both. I think I'm going to need to decide if I want a 30" with a single bowl or if I want to keep the double sink and go back up to 36". One thing I've been pondering is the location of the sink on the peninsula run and that cabinet being right next to it. Things can get splashy, but I also benefit from counter space on both sides of my sink. Hm... lisa0527 - That website is fascinating, though some parts of it are creeping me out. The botanicals are cool, though. leia_in_lalaland (Love your name!) - Wow, you went to town, and I really appreciate it. Those plants are so unique, I need to look into that more. For some reason, they reminded me of the plant shelves I posted a pic of below. I stuck that in one of my files several months back now, while researching Sochi's living wall. I really like the shelves, but I'm just not sure I can afford to have something that comes out into the aisle. Unless it was high up and didn't interfer with opening the upper cabinet. Floating shelves are one of my favorite things. The picture 6 up from the bottom is also fascinating. It seems they stuck a very narrow upper across the galley wall. I wonder how far that extends. I imagine there's no uppers on the left side, either. It looks very practical and seems not to interfer with the use of the peninsula. The shutters, though, are also intriguing - that pic that shows a set of grayed out shutter doors, especially. I could have a faux door after all. lol Hm..and the tin reminds me of a piece I have in the entry. It hangs coats right now, but could hang towels, I guess. It's a piece of architectural salvage with hooks on it. I'll have to go stare at that... lol Thanks so much, everyone.

I feel like when I post something I like, I get told to just go in person and that I'm not being helped to go forward and how it's not helping when when I just posted stuff I like. Ideas thrown here has helped me. I agree with those who are saying go with neutral, quieter, go with what you like, so I feel like I am moving forward. So it can get discouraging/overwhelming here so I don't know...I might take a break from here. Bluemarble, is exactly right. I've said before too. I'm not interested in shopping in person for many reasons including the pandemic. Even if it wasn't for not going out, I've still always been an online shopper mostly when it comes to furniture and what's what I feel comfortable with right now. And bluemarble is spot on that I knew I didn't like the table the next day I got it and it's what I felt threw me off and once it's gone, I'm trying to go back to neutrals/cozy and what I like - earthy colors, minimalism, metallic, grays, neutrals and yes......a cozy feel. Even if it's industrial or farmhouse, scandinavian, or boho, I can't worry about that. As long as I can focus on neutrals/cozy room idea, then I should be fine. As lindacottonwood says, there are too many irons in the fire. Thanks for everyone's help.