I would rather have a wider walkway and space for an extra cabinet (or coffee center, or whatever) at the end of each run of cabinets. Or a peninsula on one side with a stool for a friend to perch at. So I'd pull those half walls. But that would require some flooring repair, so it's a bigger deal than moving furniture around...

The plants, fake or real, have to go. I agree with ACM, go one step further and remove the half walls altogether.

IMO this is not a feature worth keeping .

If you take the half walls out, are there steps to contend with? If floor is flat and you can repair the flooring I say take them out. If you decide to leave them, could you put a board on top and use them for two shelves.....small lamp, vase, potted plant, etc. or nothing. The plants in there now look tacky, dirty and really bad. (Just my opinion.)

Fortunately , there are no steps to deal with. I am eager to dump the fake plants that were there. If I keep the half walls, I plan on placing paneling so that I could use the surface to place only one plant and keep the space empty.

Don't keep the half walls. They add nothing and use up space. I would be so glad to have them gone that I would not mind mismatched tile or whatever you have to do to fix the floor.

Get rid of them! As soon as possible.

What do the half walls look like from the other side? I am assuming living room....

Huh not so fast, if you remove them and have floor problems, you must make it like the planters never existed, I think if you are looking for a coastal feel, maybe some kind of eel grass, or mother inlaw tongue plant might look good. That's where I would start, if it doesn't work for you , move on to demo them.

Thanks...the other side of the half wall is a family room with a large window to the pool.

Remove them when you redo the flooring for sure. Do you want to consider new floors? Is it the same flooring throughout the main area? When I think coastal, I think driftwood look. Oh and I love your new light.

I would want a low growing plant in those. Maybe look at white forget-me-nots. Is there anything built into that for drainage of water for real plants? If not, I'd go towards really low water plants.

We are redoing the floors, so removing the half walls is still a possibility.

remove them please ! We had very similar between our living and dining and are so so pleased we took them out. The room looks much bigger and seamless, particularly if you are aiming for a modern look.

No question in my mind..they need to be removed...you will love the results!!

One comment: Just say good-buy!

it has to go!

Oh my god! You live in a 1980s Italian restaurant? How cool is that?

Seriously, get rid of them; it looks like a restaurant.

I am not clear, should I remove the planters or half walls or both? Thanks

if you are redoing the floors anyway, remove the half walls as part of the project.

If you're u are redoing the floors, now would be the best time to remove the half walls completely. If you like open floor plans, that works. If you like a little separation between rooms, you could remove the planter and do something like this instead. One of the pictures has some built in storage in the bottom. Add a white or wooden piece on top and a column to the end of the half wall can be an elegant divider.

Remove it all..the room will feel so much bigger.

Remove the half-walls and planters.

Your light fixture is not rustic, it has a glam feel. So, if your family room has that same vibe, consider removing the walls all together. If you want to keep your dining room a little more formal and separate from the family room, remove the planter boxes and wood and add columns on each end, as suggested by Emily Jowers. A stone (marble or silestone) surface will elevate the feel as well. Have fun and good luck!

She said she was going for coastal, not rustic.

I would not do wainscoting that is traditional......but I would do a more transitional modern look like this....or a amazing feature boxed out accent wall painted in any accent color you love! A soft color like SW sea salt....would be gorgeous with your new capiz shell chandelier!

This is a great color palette to achieve that soft costal feeling..but mixed with lots of white and neutrals!

These surfit slipcovers would really help transform your table into a more casual coastal feel...

Thank you, Home Interiors with Ease! I am excited to try your suggestions .

I would leave at least one - especially if there is a door directly beside one. Tile, and face it with 6×12 sleek tiles on the horizontal, using very thin grout lines. the planters are too unique to trash. Plant Succulents, or an easy indoor plant such as Peace plants utilizing a warm florescent (twirly bulb) over them in your new pendant, and the light will be enough for them to grow and look fabulous. Homes with mid century accents like those planters are in high demand.