Can't provide much advice about furniture layout without a floor plan but did want to comment on the flooring. It looks great! Would you consider painting the brick of the fireplace? It looks good but might look better painted. Also, the mantel seems a bit out of place. Could you replace it as well?

I like the idea of color. I've attached a floor plan of the kitchen/keeping area. I don't think we are interested in painting the brick and the mantle is a piece of cypress that was cut from a log that was pulled out of the Mississippi River. A client/friend made it. So we're stuck with that as well ha. Thanks

I would move the TV to the wall with the cabinet. It doesn't look like you have enough room to move the couch far enough back for viewing it without hurting your neck.

Start with a couch and a rug then add more pieces once you see what kind of space you have.

i just have to say that I have never heard the term "kitchen keeping room" -- where do you live? (beautiful space, but I think auntthelma covered anything I had to add.)

Hi there, How about doing your space plan like this?

Consider a sectional, with a slim table/console behind it. Two swivel chairs with center table and a coffee table/or ottoman in the center, all anchored by an area rug. Now with that said, I would pull from the colors of your window treatments or draw inspiration from it. I think a good color for your sofa, should be a grey or taupe grey to help with the kids. I would do a punch color in a pretty but soft blue to compliment your curtains and kitchen. No with that said, does your friend/client have more of that cypress?

You could do more shelves, on that side to even it out. Maybe do some goose neck lights over the top, and add accessories to the shelves with books to tie in the mantel your friend/client made.

Yes, you would do that too, with the same cypress..

I did a little wine cellar for a client, so maybe do something simple like this..

I don't necessarily agree that you would need to paint the beautiful cypress white. I believe it would look to matchy, matchy, and once furnishings go in, they can add the same lighter wood tones with their tables and maybe some iron/metal ones if they decide to put lights above the shelves I mentioned doing. This in turn would be harmonious, and bring it all full circle.