help design open floor plan for entertaining

I posted this earlier today but was asked to include more details.
we are renovating our home and care having a very hard time lying out out main living space.

the living room is 11.2 x 17.2
the kitchen is 10.2 x 13.2
the room as you can see is a long rectangle with stairs in the middle.

we are looking for a total layout, how would you design the kitchen, and living room space so they work well together since it is just one big room.
the dinning table poses a problem as well. we are a family of 4 so a small table with a leaf would be ideal.
we are not sure where you would put the doors to the outside either. I was really hoping for a french slider or slider or French door.
we really love to spend time outside and would like the House to be open and connected to the outdoors.
we live in a coastal town 45 min outside of NYC. we are going for a beach feel. I would Love any and all help possible.
grateful but confused