Everyone's got two cents, and here's mine. I would do the chair in that teal color I think I see in your rug....cause I love that color! Then I would have a cute red pillow on it, and other reddish pillows around. Is there a similar blueish/teal color in the flower on your lamp? Hard to see colors on a computer. Although, really, the way the chair is now looks fine to me. Remove the pillows you have on it and try to find some new pillows with teal and red. Can you tell I love the teal. And I do like your rug, too.

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 :)

shappy: Glad to hear you were happy with your rug. I am nervous too, but for the money I want to spend I'd probably spend up with an olefin rug if I were to purchase locally instead of the internet. parma: That is what I wondered. Does the shedding ever stop or is it just for the first couple of weeks? I did find a couple of old pics of the rug running the other way. Shows how far this room has come! It didn't look right running that way either and it looks like I was not able to get both legs of the arm chair on the rug. The arm chair/recliner is actually the problem as it keeps shifting back to the wall and then when it reclines it ends of scratching off the paint. Luckily there are little plastic bumpers on the edges of the chair or that'd be worn off as well. I just had another idea to put my existing family rug in my breakfast nook since I don't have a rug there currently. Since it's an open floorplan this rug would provide a nice balance to the lighter rug #1 I'd get for the family room. I've never put a rug under the dining set where we eat all our family meals because I figure it'd just get dirty. Since I feel I've already more than gotten my money's worth (all of $60) from this rug, it'd be no big deal if that happens. No to mention this rug does not show any dirt as far as I can tell.

Thanks @beverlyfladeziner for the visuals! It definitely helps to see the potential for the room. Ironically, I saw a swatch of the rug before I ordered it and it seemed more beige even though it was described as "ivory." Thanks @Louise Smith for your suggestions. I'm not a fan of bright color rugs but I realize that others may have different tastes, especially on a forum like this. I'm planning on getting a 9x12 wool rug though, so not necessarily an inexpensive purchase. I'd like something that will last and would rather make changes with smaller accent pieces over time.