Hey Teri

I am more with the formal, divided room space myself. We have the identical layout almost with the pocket doors etc.in our house but with even more formalized dining/separate living rooms. We specifically looked for that in a home. We do not have your fabulous separate den/tv room out back. And, you have your second living room downstairs too. If you open it all up upstairs, its just one huge room. Personally I find it cold in Canada's winter. However, you should design your house for how you use it shouldn't you. Do you actually sit in your dining room and have formal/family dinners or breakfast there? Do you use your fireplace room as is? That would be the way I would look at it. One thing I would add would be a 2 piece bathroom on the main floor if you don't already have it and a great hall closet/ mud area at the front, especially with Juno in the winter. I love what you have done so far so am sure it will look fabulous regardless.

That is my two cents.
Shannon

If your current layout doesn't serve your needs, change it! I love historical homes, and it sounds like your still preserving the essence of this lovely old grande dame. I would suggest that you pay homage to your pocket doors. I'm suggesting something like this...Chances are there constructed out of quality wood and have tons of character. Just something to think about...Good luck, you have a beautiful home!

Thanks for the input - hope there is more coming!
If we do take the pocket doors out, I will see if we can use them for something. Good idea.
Although most people would put in a powder room, we decided long ago not to put one on the main floor. Eventually, there will be one off the family room stairs to the basement.
The open concept idea is getting more votes so far. We have come up with a design that allows us to have a large island with stools, tons of counter space, a full wall of base cupboards in the dining room for serving dishes, etc.
The open concept idea (which removes the LR-DR wall) allows us to keep the piano between the living room and dining room instead of having to get rid of it. (The dream that one of us will play will live on.)
We have been moving furniture around and the greater flexibility of the open concept idea will allow us to have a cosier furniture arrangement in the living room - yet we can still push the furniture back and bring in more chairs if we have a large group.
For colours, we are thinking about the two-tone idea: white cabinets in the kitchen, very dark wood island and buffet in dining room, grey granite countertop throughout. The dining room table is dark oak and the floors are brandy oak - a medium dark colour. Wall colour will be a soft grey throughout - backsplash likely grey - maybe the glass tile look.
So...we are leaning towards the open concept idea. Will post some floor plans soon. Thanks, all!
Teri

Hi Teri - I am a fan of open concept. At the same time I am glad we have a separation between kitchen/dining and living room/piano area (if only to keep smells and mess out of the line of sight!). I think the way you will have to walk around the corner (once you close off the wall in the foyer) will take care of keeping kitchen mess out of the sight line of the living room. Can't wait to see it!!!
Dvorah

A floor plan of this area would help. I'm having a hard time visualising how this area fits together. Is that door at the base of the stairs your entry hall or a closet?

The more open the better. It is worth it because it makes the room feel larger and more airy!

Update from our end - open concept wins. It will work well in our house since we still have the separate family room at the back with a sliding door that can close off that space from the open concept area on the rest of the main floor. Here is the floor plan - but what will change is the dining table will move closer to the exterior wall - and there will be a banquette or bench against the wall. Another change is the fridge moves adjacent to the entry to the family room. Both of these changes make it possible to have a deeper island. Work starts the first week of July - yikes!