i think you should put the sofa to the dining side, and the chairs in the foreground. right now it mirrors the other room, and i think it would also define the dining area. plus less wood would be showing.

I'll try that, thanks.

To suggest a beach look, try a white or driftwood grey paint. But, I like your light wood arm chairs and would not paint them and I would use a print or stripe fabric on them and add fun pillows on the sofa. Take the ivy off the top of the armoire in the dining area. Swap the trunk for the coffee table. Move the oval mirror to the entry. Swap the sofa table and sofa with the 2 wood arm chairs, which gives you a side board for the dining area. It is hard to paint table tops because of the # of finish layers, so if painting the dining table, do just the legs. Don't paint all the wood, too matchy-matchy.

I think before you do any painting, you might consider something simple, such as the furniture placement: what is the focal area? It seems the view from the window is a great focal point, so you might consider arranging the sofa so it looks out that way; the way it is now, it faces the wall over the dining area. With the sofa facing the large lookout, you can define an area there. If you're concerned about the walking space behind the sofa, consider ditching the wood sofa table or try a narrower table.

For a beachy or coastal look, I'd get a white, or lighter area rug than the one you have. Then I'd maybe try a light, weathered, stain on the wood of the two chairs, and get bright turquoise or aqua cushoins so they stand out as accent pieces. I would also consider moving out that pedestal with the huge plant. It is a great looking plant but it just swallows up that tiny corner, and that pedestal doesn't appear to be part of the look you're after. That plant would look great alone on that table actually, or paired with some large shells or other nautical/ beach accents. You might also want to replace that greenery on that corner unit in the dining room with a nice beachy basket and add a couple of very simple coastal-themed prints (maybe aqua colored to tie in the chairs in the other room?) to the dining room wall, in nice weathered or white frames. I hope this helps!

Wow, thank you for all your suggestions. That "greenery" up in the corner is left over pine garland from Christmas. Time for it to go. The reason I wouldn't want the sofa facing the windows is only because I want to open the two sitting areas to each other. I would like to try your idea of trading the placement of the sofa and chairs though. These are my winter area rugs (we live in Northern Michigan!) However, I'd love to have different rugs for Spring/Summer. Here's one more view. You'll see that the living room is pretty devoid of furniture since I started moving things around. I'd like to get some different furniture for that area....when the money is available! Oh, and I would like a different coffee table by the sofa, too. That one's been around a LONG time. Again, thanks!

marylut, you suggested a "driftwood grey paint", did you mean for the sofa table? And, do you mean a solid paint or a stain look? Any pictures?

zx14, you suggested a "light, weathered stain", Again, any pictures or links that would be helpful? Thanks.

Glad to hear you are adding pieces - a matching sofa would look well facing the one you have. Move 4 or 5 chairs to the living room round the circular table. In this set up, it is the trunk that will need replacing w a longer, lighter version.

Different idea completely - how about placing your dining table in the front room, move chandelier there and add an area rug - it would be lovely, defined and taking better advantage of this large space. It will also break up all the wood in the same room, so no need to paint anything. Now you have a grand room: try 2 seating areas - couch facing view with the console table behind (imagine 2nd pic below, but instead of fireplace, it's windows). Place armoire in the middle of the far wall and comfy chairs (which you could slipcover) making it an intimate reading area. Imagine the 3rd picture, but armoire vs fireplace. Accessorize your console and dining table and wood impact will feel less.

have you tried flipping the couch yet?

My husband injured his back so I am waiting for a friend to help me move things around. As soon as I get the sofa and chairs flipped I'll post a pic. And, again...you all have been so helpful!

OK, I decided to do it myself. Here's what it looks like with the sofa/chairs switch. Notice I have 2 wood & iron wall art pieces\ against the back wall. Don't know where they might fit in....

on that back wall with the metal art.

this looks good. what do you think?

I would say the lamp should go . a floor lamp close to the chair by the window would do.

now what if you went with 4 chairs and put the couch back by the fireplace?... i know i know...

Please save your back, and work these ideas on paper? This grouping utilizes the kitchen as a focal point - not good, to my mind. Nor will be a room full of single chairs.

Each seating area needs to be better balanced,in a way that lets the eye move through the space from entrance to outdoor view. Large pieces flanking the back door will frame that view cleanly, and separate the two areas that are chair-centric.

Ahhh, that's a possibility. The lamp has too much "girth" on that table. I agree. I'm still wondering about the painting of some of the wood furniture. Color? Which pieces?

Dining chairs, if you like. the rest looks fine.

What may be bothering you is your wood furniture is the same color as your floor. There isn't much interest or contrast so it's a little boring. Your dining chairs would look very nice in a black finish; they would look a tad more formal too. The sofa table could be painted different color, distressed and lightly antiqued to give it more personality.

studio10001, I know that another sofa would be really nice in this (former) dining area. However, I already have a large sectional in our loft and 2 leather sofas in the lower level. It would be hard to justify yet another sofa. What about the living room area with the fireplace? That too needs more furniture....more sofas!!!

Like this perhaps

I know you wanted to open up this area but I have to say that looking at your photos, I really don't understand this arrangement. You have a large sofa in this room but a small rug and no sofa in the next room with the fireplace. Not really liking the dining room crammed in that alcove so far from the kitchen either. I think the larger rug , sofa and table are in the wrong room.

Thats alot of couches:) More furniture needn't equate more sofas - you might consider the upholstered chairs you have as a balance to the sofa ( slipcovers?). Set opposite, like these (ottomans could be a nice touch for you, as well), they present more visual mass, and a cleaner boundary to that seating group.

Part of the reason I suggest using chairs alone by the fire is to vary these two areas from becoming imitative ( ie couch in every room). I thought this a good ex. from Maureen, so will give it a replay) -

If you do keep the dining room there I think a grouping such as these could work .

Your floors and furniture are the same color, and accessorizing the table tops and seating with a splash of beach inspired color can fix that. IMHO, the casualness of your light wood is right for the beach vibe you are going for, but per your request, here is information on doing a driftwood finish.

http://inmyownstyle.com/2013/09/furniture-makeover-weathered-driftwood-furniture-finish.html

http://diydriftwood.com/product/driftwood-weathered-wood-finish/

Can I ask what color you have on the walls? Is it a very light green? I love it!

It's called "Icecap" # 26-7(WW)by Pittsburgh Manor Hall. It has worked well for us as a neutral. The color is a very light green with a slight blue hint to it. I've been looking for it on my Pittsburgh color chart and haven't found it. If it is no longer available I am happy to hold my color chart to the wall to see if I can find a very similar color.

Perhaps consider staining the sofa table instead of painting it? A dark walnut would be nice; dark enough, yet would give you the contrast against the light wood floors and tie into the black side tables.

Agree with Flair Lighting re: sofa towards dining area. It would divide the room a little more.