we are considering connecting the dining/living room with the family room (behind the big wall) you can see the kitchen is off to the left right between the two rooms. The dining room is not inviting and too separated from the kitchen. The kitchen, and the entire great room will be hardwood floors (and, yes, the clutter will all go)...kitchen will have an island coming a little into where the wood hallway is now and a new rustic dark long dining table will be parallel to the wood hallway. Thank you for any suggestions....