Perhaps a round table with leaves that could expand those few times a year when you have dinner guests.

That's actually basically what I have now, but the table feels awkward just floating in front of the front window like that, right by the front door (like, when you're sitting at it - it doesn't have a "settled in" feeling). I really dislike the lack of an "entryway" in this house.

What about a built in banquette or moveable bench against the stair wall. Then run a long, but fairly narrow, rectangular table against that wall. The table could be pushed against the wall for every day use, and pulled out when you need more seating.

Thanks for the collage! I like the idea of putting a bar area in that spot by the stairs - since it's the first thing you see when you walk in, I was thinking maybe a long sideboard (a cool statement piece) with some neat art above it and a bar setup. I do still need lounge seating in the space though, we sit and talk or play games and I sit in here to read a lot too. The "TV room" is actually small and crowded and not very entertainerly.

Lisa, that's a good idea! I actually love the look of long narrow farmhouse tables with molded plastic chairs (which I have), and the bench clears walkway space for everyday. Then I could move my sideboard idea over to in front of the window, and that would create a bit of an entryway / landing spot as well. I was also going to remove that trash can and do undercabinet trash, and put a narrow halltree there.

I really like the idea of converting the whole space into a dinning space... Maybe start looking at photos of dining spaces/coffee shops..... Where it's an inviting place to cozy in and sip your morning coffee by the fire place, or dine at the table with family and friends.

Here's a few examples that show what I was trying to describe.

thats what i was thinking a drop leaf table and a seating area, like a coffee shop.

maybe where the table is now you could group two chairs and a small table for reading?

also could you take out a bit of the tile in the kitchen area so it made a straight line from the end of the staircase rather than a curve?

I love Lisa's idea about the bench or banquette. You could do it on either side, by the stairwell or by the window.

I hope you'll keep your cute green table and the wing chair in the living room.

when i have had problems like this, i have had more than one table. if you get the library or office desk size - 30x50. the tables can be spread about for multitask then brought together as needed. same with the chairs.

Thank you everyone for your input so far! I spent some time thinking about the space and I have more details of what purposes it needs to serve. I feel like we're getting close to working this out together, but we need to incorporate the following:

- Spot for my turntable, and record storage (plus book storage would be added bonus)

- Cozy reading nook (my dream for this is a Womb chair with ottoman)

- A small work space for a laptop (with mouse) and storage for some pens and paper. This needs to be comfortable to work at for several hours at a time.

- Seating for lots of friends and family when they come over, but that can be sort of stowed away for everyday use (like the convertible table options that have been suggested)

- Cool, styled, mid century modern meets rustic look ;)

That's so funny. I was thinking about your room earlier today and I seriously had the thought "A womb chair would be so cool next to that stone fireplace". Great minds think alike!

Have you looked into some of the great reproductions available? Rove Concepts is Canadian, but the quality is good, and with the exchange rate difference I think really reasonable. They do a great womb chair. But there are lots of options out there.

A church pew in front of the window would be fun, with a narrow farm table for dining, in front of it. You could bring your mid-century modern chairs in on the other side for the occasions you'd need additional seating. It would go well with your style.

a great place to get the office and record cabinet storage right now are craigslist and charity. people are dumping their entertainment armoirs and shelving systems. also china shelves (mind burp there)

I was actually thinking about doing something like this. Put a credenza at the one solid wall, turntable on top, chair to one side and loves eats flanking the fireplace. And then if we do decide to free up a bedroom and put a tv in the living room, we can wall mount it above the credenza.

That dog item is a rug haha, I didn't show the lamp to scale, it's 60" tall :)
The art I've hung can be moved / rearranged but I don't really want to change it... it's a scrabble block of names that are important to us that my sister made us, drawing my husband did, and photos from our wedding and of family. I Like having these items in this main living space. I do like those paintings though!

Alternate layout

Sideboard for dining area, to have bar display on top

Something like this by the front door would be sweet (I live in the woods)

How my table looks like that

Oh, if it's a rug, I love it. I thought it was a little boring and poorly composed for art. Just make sure it's large enough.

I love all your choices (except I think the lamp is just OK; you can do better), and the tree coat hooks are absolutely inspired.

Groveraxle, which layout do you think would be better? The one I posted last night, or this morning? Do you think a desk would look ok next to that chair in front of the bay window, or too crowded?

I'll work on the lamp choice ;)

i know those lamps that grover gets can be a little costly. how about doing a diy with your treebranch. you can wrap with twinkle and then have a shaded bulb hang off a branch. lighting is easy and can be so much fun. Ikea and your local big box box sell light fixures, just attach to your favorite item and you are ready. got a favorite old hat? they now make chandys out of them.

How could I DIY the tree coat hook? It'd have to have a pretty substantial metal/wire base form, I would think?

no, you could just hook to the wall so it does not fall. figure that is what they are doing now. don't want to pick up coats every 10 seconds.

oh, you were not going to buy that were you?

I do love those huge sweeping lamps. Is there a technical name for those? Ha.

Susannah, those are called arc lamps. I also like the one from Cal Lighting that River posted. The wood tripod lamp I posted above isn't that pricey, havingfun. I think it was about $129.

Here is a diy that one woman did with actual birch trees from her property. I think you could do this if you could get a long enough tree, but I wouldn't attach it to the wall. I'd figure a way to affix it to ceiling and floor--maybe with some kind of tension--so it would look like it's free standing.

Here is her explanation for how she did it:

Lisa Carlisle

Yes
they are birch trunks. I cut through the drywall and inserted the tops
in the holes then toenailed a couple screws in the bottom platform to
stabilize. I'm glad you like it!

Awesome!! yeah I don't want them attached to the wall. The purpose is to have them out in the space, free floating, creating a light, artistic separation between the entry and the table. My only concern is my tile floor there. I'll have to think on it. I'll probably have to have a separate platform (heavy, stable) that just rests on the floor, and then attach the tops to the ceiling.

Paint, paint, and more paint. Light and bright.

Just one thought to toss in: if your dining space feels "unsettled", I think you need to help it carve out its space more -- an area rug would help that a lot, as would a full complement of chairs. In front of a window is a great place to eat, and there's no reason it should feel lost at sea.

paint the walls and brighten up the decor