You might want to look a flexible LED strip lighting. I just installed some in a couple kitchen cabinets with glass doors and for over cabinet lighting with very good results. The LED's come in WW and NW, three different lumen levels and even an RGB version. I used WW, standard output. There is adhesive on one side of the strip so you just cut to length and stick to the cabinet face pointing towards the back. THe strips are 0.3' wide and only 0.1' thick and I had no problem with clearance between the front edge of the shelves and the tape stuck to the cabinet face. On the outer shelf units, you could run strips down both the wall-side face and the inner face. For your middle unit, you could only light from one side. The space over the TV, just a strip run along the top. And I'd light over top of the built in too...it really would look great. I would just lay the DC transformer on top of the built in as it appears you have a nice crown lip to conceal it. A couple learnings for me. THe WW color temp is reported as 2700 K. I have to think that they have a very narrow spectrum as the light can appear quite yellow in certain situations. Also, the standard output strips in my cabs are actually too bright. I do have a dimmable transformer but have yet to install a dimmer. On a do over, I'd use the low output in my cabinets in conjunction with the standard output over the cabinets. I might also go with the NW, color temp of 5000 K. All purchased from Elementalled.com. If you can tell me how to do it, I'll post some pics! Here is a link that might be useful: Elemental LED

Whether to do a passthrough, half-wall, or full wall all depends on how you want the two rooms to feel and function (both separately and together). So, I cannot tell you what will work best. However, my brother recently renovated his kitchen (nearly finished) and changed a full wall to a half wall between his kitchen and dining room. He tends towards more informal gatherings and he wanted to help the small closed-off kitchen feel larger and more open to the house. He does not like upper cabinets and with the remodel was able to acquire additional lower cabinets to make up for the lost storage. He has no stools on the dining room side of the half wall, though the granite does cover the top of the half wall. (In fact, the dining room is simply too narrow to accommodate a table and chairs and counter seating.) His new kitchen feels very open and light (the dining room is on a corner and light floods in from two large windows) and he is extremely happy with the result. Your inspiration picture is very lovely. The detailing on the window is beautiful and could probably be duplicated through wood trim on a pass-through if you would be interested.

Thank you for the suggestions -- I live in NYC and I am always short on storage, so I really liked the drawers on the lighter bookshelves. But then I thought about it and I wasn't sure if that was too neutral and conservative of a decision. I kind of also would like a room that looks more luxe, bold and designed. I also wasn't sure if the bookshelves were too dark for me, or if they blended well with the rest of the decor. I like the nightstands and am looking at a similar desk that is in these photos, so I am really building my room around those elements. Let me know what you think now that you have more background. Thank you!!!!!

I’m thinking a drape with a smaller scale pattern and a less dominant single color would be better. I don’t mind the turquoise dresser & green drapes but the drapes dominate the room. Those drapes also look too long - puddling on floor. Maybe it would be easier to chose window treatment last & bedding first . Can black night table & bed be moved closer to wall? I’m thinking from seeing the other walls that bed has to stay on the wall it’s on. A mirror over dresser would be great & a lamp on dresser - either silver like ceiling light or black like bed frame. The wall at foot of bed - either a gallery wall of art you love, all frames in black or silver, or a very large piece with a scene that you‘re happy to see first thing in morning. I’m thinking an outdoor scene with a lot of depth so it’s like looking into it. A garden, a beach, forest - whatever kind of outdoor space you love. Then, pick your drapes - you’ll know from your bedding & art whether they should be a muted pattern & what color(s) they should be!