That's great you have some help. I was thinking about your office today because I am working on mine and we have a few similarities as far as size and furniture - except I don't have all the great closet space you have! I think once you have the additional furniture in there you can play with where the desk should be. The good thing is you can shuffle it around as much as you need to until you find a look that feels right. If you don't already have some, you should pick up some of those sliders that you place under furniture to help move it around - they make it really easy for one person to move things around to try various configurations. I have several sets and they have been invaluable! In some rooms, we lived with those darn sliders under our furniture for weeks as we tried, lived with, and then changed up where certain pieces of furniture went.

Thanks decoenthuasiaste! I think we will follow your advice and position the desk that way. This way I'll have the window to my left and can look into the backyard if I want, and also face the large wall where we can place a nice long & short bookcase with art. I think the reading area to my right (on wall that current has guitar and standing lamp) will look great. We are going to try a rug like this one to complement the more modern bamboo desk top and dark navy walls:

"I could consider facing the slider. Perhaps I could build the desk so that it is T shaped along the wall with the window and I could sit at the desk facing the slider?" I think this is your best solution. That way, you have the view of the outside, but the monitors aren't floating in the middle of the room. To me, I think your best investment is a larger desk. Built-ins are great, but technology change each day and we are using less and less paper with more stored in our computers. You have that closet already, where items (including your printer) could be stored. Also, consider how long you will be in this house. Will a future owner want to use that space for a bedroom, for example? Best to keep things flexible. On the other hand, if you really want built-ins and have the funds, then go for it. But, the way you wanted the desk arranged in the beginning, the monitors will be floating out in the room. No horrible, but something to consider.

remodleing1840 is spot on. Change is hard. Especially when it is thrust upon you in such an unexpected, shocking and dangerous manner. I can't urge you enough to get some counseling for this event. It's not a question of if, you WILL suffer from PTSD from this incident. You need the tools to properly deal with it. Half the battle of PTSD is recognizing it when it appears. Take action and get some help for both yourself and your family. They are involved with this, too. The sooner you get professional help, the sooner you can successfully move forward. As far as how to deal with casual friends and distant family, you don't owe them much of an explanation. But developing a response in advance may prove helpful. I'd put some thought into that. I've found that a short truth is the easiest. "Blank showed up on my lawn and threatened my family. We decided that we would be safer in a less isolated neighborhood. I really don't want to discuss any of the details other than to say, this is the best decision for our family." If they press any further and some will, just tell them you don't want to discuss it any further." The more people that know about this, the more people who can provide you with a warning system. It's nothing to be kept hidden because you did nothing wrong. You just don't want to have to relive it. I've sold and moved because of a neighbor stalker. I can sympathize. It happens more often that you may think. You just don't know what they would be capable of doing from moment to moment. That's no way to live your life. You did the right thing. You took action. What you are wrestling with right now is making the mental shift from the life that was to the life you are moving to. I've found that having something to move towards makes the moving so much easier. This will be a glass half full or empty decision on your part. While you loved your private hot tub, you need to find something else in your new home to provide you with pleasure and anticipation. How about a top of the line, jetted, heated tub for you new bath? Or, one of those fabulous shower towers? Heated floors, towel heaters. The list of pampering goodies is literally endless. Be kind to yourself. Just keep reminding yourself that you are moving forward and not away.