There has been lots of threads on this recently. It's not necessary to match the whole house. It's sometimes not even necessary to match hardware to lighting if done properly. I am doing shaker white cabinets also in my remdodel with stainless appliances and polished nickel cabinet hardware and faucet. The hardware in the pendant lights above my penninsula will be black. My penninsula chairs and kitchen chairs are also black, so it will will all tie together and allow for a little pop of style and contrast with the lighting without it looking misplaced. If you look at inspiration pictures on houzz.com you'll see lots of island lighting that does not coordinate with the cabinet hardware. Have fun with it and go with what you love!

I did end up choosing the partial overlay. They are custom and were not any cheaper than full overlay (but cheaper than inset). No stiles in the center. We are opening up the kitchen somewhat to the two rooms that have the same cabinets (den and living room) so the transition seems better as its not a very big house (older 1940 house). The other reason is that i like the pull out cutting boards and you can't get that in full overlay. I'm getting 3! The cabinet maker really didn't like the inset cabinets even though they charge more for them. Pointed out some problems with them which i took with a grain of salt but made me think he probably makes a better cabinet that isn't inset. I'm painting them different colors so i'm hoping to add some pizzazz that way.

Fund space. I agree with Juliekcmo that the room should be set up to be the most functional and enjoyable for you for the 50 weeks a year that you occupy the space. I would put the couch in the alcove, and put either a sofa table behind it or hang a shelf on the wall behind it with brackets. That is the place for a lamp, a clock/radio/mp3 player, a place for someone to put a glass of water and a book at night. That also means that the window isn’t blocked so the room gets the benefit of max light all the time. Fan should move out into the room - do a cute chandy in the alcove, something fun and whimsical. The small chest that you have ready to paint seems like it would be the perfect companion piece for you to use for spreading out your files as you work. I think it would fit with the bookcase on the end wall to the left of the entry door to the room, based on the measurements you gave. Bookcase in the corner so that you can have clearance for the chest drawers once the armoire is on the other wall nearby. Then the armoire would go on the long wall, toward the bookcase and chest, to create the feel of an office area. It should still allow the computer to be visible for someone on the couch. To the left of the armoire, I would place the cute wood table you love, with a lamp. The tall mirror might work above this, to bounce some light around and feel anchored. Then angled in front of the stationary part of the french doors, your desk chair can be placed when you are not working. To the left of that, the little set of drawers, which seems perfect for CD storage, so that you can get them off the top of the armoire. You will then have a seating area for someone visiting if they don’t want to sit on the sleeper couch,(especially if it is opened), or you can sit and talk to your son in there while he is visiting. I would put the ottoman on the short wall to the left of the french doors, to get it out of the way when the bed is unmade or it isn’t being used with the couch. I would frame a grouping of the Audubon pix and place them on the wall by the closet. You could do a few more stacked over the ottoman. As for color, I know you said white, but I would think about a color that makes you happy to use in the workspace. I love the purple accent wall in the alcove, and if you still like it, that could be your other color throughout the space. Your pieces to be painted could be done in another (or the same) shade of purple. I could easily see green walls in there, something restful but deep enough to work with the large black pieces. I would paint the bookcase the the chest the same color if they are going to be next to one another, for a more cohesive feel. Consider something textural for the drapery and french doors, perhaps a textured linen or hopsack.

Well, you have two votes to paint; one vote to paint or not as you wish. I think it looks lovely as, like a picture frame for your room. What you do need is more color and better lighting in the room.