Ok I am back..... Wow, I just read thro' all the responses and you guys rock !!! I love this forum :))) So far the consensus seems to be to open it up. To answer some of your questions.... oakleyok: The rooms are small. LR is 13 x 18 and FR is 11 x 18. So if we open it up, it will prob. be around 24 x 18 which I think is a nice size....Not too big nor small... bumbledoodle & jan in wisconsin: Thanks for sharing :) I am glad you love the openess....Its very affirming. We currently have a full set of furniture in the LR(Sofa, loveseat, 2 chairs, coffee & end tables). In the FR, we have a loveseat, 3 accent chairs and the TV which is currently on a console. One wall in the FR is dominated by a brick fireplace, similar to the inspiration photo that I linked. So I guess we will have two separate seating areas, even if we open up the rooms. Prob. one will be near the fireplace and another TV watching area.... lynninnewmex, nanny2a & bronwynsmom: Yes, I def. plan to check with an architect if its a load bearing wall or not. I've read (in cote de texas's blog) that if you put in a doorway, it wouldn't cause an issue to the structure as opposed to removing the entire wall. Is this right?? palimpset & pps7: Thanks for letting me know that traditional homes have open architecture...I never knew that. I didn't grow up in this country, so a lot of it is new to me......Now I feel better that I won't be really messing up with the integrity of the house :) Scanmike: Thanks for sharing your pics. You have a beautiful home. I really love your sunroom..I wish I had one and also some new kittens :) susanilz: I think we'll be here for atleast the next 5 yrs...Maybe 10 yrs...I don't have the energy to move anytime soon...So I guess, it makes sense to make it into something functional for us.... vampiressrn: We don't entertain a lot...But def. a few times a year, we have large gatherings for 30+ ppl....Maybe we'll be more prone to entertaining with an open area...I am feeling really pressurized cos we're having a formal gathering of nearly 50 ppl...Its a prayer meeting, so everyone will be sitting together in the same space unlike a party where ppl can move around... Initially, I was considering putting in only a regular doorway (with a french door or pocket door). But after committing to hosting such a large gathering, I am really at a loss on how we're going to accomodate everyone. This was the trigger to everything..... jamaraz: Thanks for sharing your experience...I am scared about the unknowns...Sometimes I think I am opening up a can of worms :) monablair: I am not sure it would work for us. Like I said, the FR has a fireplace and has a very cozy vibe..Maybe I could place some seating around it and have some bookshelves against the adjacent wall to create like a reading/library room (similar to the little reading nook in Somethings gotta give)....I love my books :))) awm: Thats exactly the look I wanted initially. But somehow DH is against the idea of french doors or pocket doors. He wants a more open feel I don't know if I should really listen to him. He doesn't hang out obsessively in design forums like I do, KWIM :)) He's pretty clueless when it comes to design..... How wide do you think that opening is in the pic?? I initially did want doors. But I am not sure how wide the opening would be if we put in doors(like I said, we're trying to accomodate nearly 50 in one space) Also, with french doors, I am thinking if it will hamper the space/furniture placement when we open the door. tomorrowisanotherday: Yes, I really don't want to lose real estate value...I will have to somehow figure this out and make it work.... dlm: Thanks for sharing your pics :) Your french doors are so gorgeous...I don't have any in my home and I really love the look of one :( teaforwendy: We do have a door connecting the FR to the breakfast nook & kitchen. Its not as open as I would like it to be but I don't mind it too much for now...Maybe it could be a project for the future...... kjmama: Yes, we did talk before :) Infact, I searched and pulled up your thread yday to get more ideas. How's the doorway working for you?? Are you done with decorating? Any pics to share :) Please keep the ideas coming...Right now, I am def. leaning twds putting in a doorway...Our "handyman" is coming to take a look tomorrow...But I need to check with an architect about the load bearing aspect of it before we start on anything....Will keep you all updated and will also, try to figure out how to post pics meanwhile..... Thanks once again :)

Great thread. I resisted the tv over the fireplace for years. When we built I had a space next to the fireplace in a cabinet set up for the tv. We put a regular 36" tube tv in there. It was fine. Then a few years later we bought a 48" flat screen. It wouldn't fit in the cabinet so we created a media room downstairs. I added a small kitchenette and set it up for up to 6 people to watch tv. The too had the added bonus of not having the glare of the upstairs. Guess what, no one ever went down there unless we made a production of it. So finally we bought a 55" flat screen and mounted it over the fireplace. I love the fact that it is right there where everyone is and tends to hang out. When we have gatherings I put pandora on and that is good,too. My mother in law was an interior designer and I thought she'd have a kitten when she saw it but she agreed it worked for our lifestyle. In our next house we will have much less space so are planning for the tv over the fireplace again. Admitting that I am powerless over my need to binge watch Netflix made my life much easier :D. The builder we are working with has done some nice things to address this, in the really high ceiling rooms he did a double mantle. I'll see if I saved a pic and post it.

SuzyQ, I don't know I didn't think to look at RH consoles. I only looked at their large media cabinets. Thanks for the suggestion. Chiflipper, the cabinet guy did mention about having to go behind the wall to beef up the studs to hold the unit. I just think he wasn't comfortable with it because he hasn't done it before. And you are absolutely right about the upper kitchen cabinets! I never even thought about it that way. But, also my kids don't climb on the counters to pull on the kitchen cabinets. A mounted wall unit, if at the height I wanted, would be within reach of my kids and I would still have a fear of them pulling it down.

I’m still working on my room! I took a break for a while because I couldn’t find anything I liked. I did find this plant shelving thing that I like. My question is? Does it look ok with my picture or should I find something similar to put there? I just put some plants I have up there for now. I like the black one. I’m just thinking it’s not matching. Thanks in advance ☺️