I am not an architect or structural engineer, but keep in mind that walls can be load bearing. Are you sure you can remove the wall, or do you need to decorate with the space as is?

Lanie - pretty sure it's load bearing, so we either add a beam or columns - have not decided on that

For me, it looks like you only have a couple of can lights in some out of the way places. Just getting more overhead lighting could help. I cant see it close up but on the wall behind the dining table is telling me it wants a window. Or larger french doors.

Larry the wall next to the large window behind the dining table is a storage shed - I cannot break thru that.

O K, I am coming in your front door and I see a very long dark room ahead. Flip the rooms, as arlynn suggested. The cable is not a problem to reposition. I would hang identical chandeliers in the middle of the ceiling in each distinct space. Over the mantle place two sconces. Put the bench in front of the fireplace. Place the rug under the dining table. Buy two upholstered host and hostess chairs for either end of the table which you can use as additional seating in the living room. Now the leather wing chair is tucked into the corner where the shed is. There is some piece of furniture in the bottom right of your photo that looks big and clunky. Could you get rid of that? You also need a mirror (or two) possibly hanging on the wall by the chandeliers to generate more light.

Judy thanks for your input. The piece of furniture on the lower right is a small ottoman that can be removed. I didn't mention that the leather chair can go from the decor - it's what I happen to have on hand. So, is the general concensus that I should not knock down the wall - not even open up a pass thru? I so much wanted to have a more open concept!

Maggie, I agree with you on opening up the space but it surely might be a load bearing wall. In that case, you might consider a narrow built-in bookcase/entertainment center on the wall to hide the TV, etc. and visually create a more cohesive look. It could be painted to match the walls or wood to compliment your furniture. Try moving the existing rug by the fireplace/dining area and investing in a larger one for the LR. I could see painting the front entry an interesting and dramatic color with a large mirror to make it more of a statement space.

Open the wall as much as possible, you know you can do this much because it was done before. Switch the living room and dining room back to the way it was before and have the cable to the tv moved if need be. Is it possible to add another window? Opening the pass and hanging some mirrors would be helpful. Glass, acrylic and leggy furniture will help to create a more open airy feel. Hang big beautiful paintings of gorgeous landscapes on your walls to create the illusion of outdoors.

Hi Fairden: Unfortunately, I can't add windows. My backyard is very woody (I live in a forest), but our overhang outside is more than 2' and that contributes a lot to the amount of light that comes in the house. I'm still on the fence about switching the LR and DR.....

Good luck with whatever you decide, I believe you will create something beautiful!

Hi Maggie, do you have a photo taken from the kitchen into the backyard space?

I would not suggest putting your sofa between the 2 rooms if you take the wall down.... you have to consider the entrance into the room from the front door.... hard to tell just by a picture but you don't want to walk into the room and run into a sofa. And it seems like if you took that wall down and you were standing in your kitchen, I feel you would get the impression that you just happened to put a sofa here because there was no where else to put it. It doesn't fit with your kitchen lay out.

Stanton: I couldn't agree more and this was my concern. How the sofa would look as you come in the house - it would just be "floating" in the middle of nowhere and have no relationship to anything else.
Thanks, its always good to know you're thinking in the right direction.