One more picture that shows the fireplace and the kitchen entrance. (And our messy lunch remains.)

Before deciding on rug sizes, I think you need to get the furniture layout set. How often is this dining table used? every day or occasionally? I would try the piano all the way down the wall to the dining area. Face the sofa to the FP. Coffee table in front of sofa. Yellow chair on right of FP and blue chair on left of FP. Then I would do 1 large rug for both areas or just a rug in the living room area.

Thanks jck910. We actually had the piano on the wall immediately behind the dining table until just yesterday. It's always bugged me there. Makes the dining table feel crowded. We use the dining table for larger gatherings a few times a month (well, we did before Covid), and at least a few times a week as an eating space, homework space, project space. With the piano moved down the wall, I can extend the table out to full size when needed. Right now we have to rearrange the whole room and turn the table 90 degrees when we need the full length.

I like the idea of one large rug for both spaces. That still leaves me with the question of how wide. At 12 feet wide, there's enough rug behind the short ends of the table for diners to push their chairs back without leaving the rug. But the path through the room to the kitchen is part on the rug, part off. Is this fine, or is it a tripping hazard?

For their health, pianos should not be on exterior walls, so you have a conundrum there. Is it actually played? Angled furniture, especially large pieces, make it appear as though you don't have room for your stuff. None of the chairs feel "right" with the sofa. Have you considered offering them on Craig's List and using the money toward a nice pair in a more appropriate style/fabric? I don't see the need for a rug under the dining table, so I wouldn't worry about that as much. As stated above, you need to get the furniture arranged first.

Yes, the piano shouldn't be on an exterior wall. There just isn't an interior wall available. Someday, when the oldest child moves out, there will be a better place to put it. For now, somewhere on that wall is where it has to go.

Ok I hear two votes for "no dining table rug." Adding a living room rug made the dining side feel bare and unfinished to me. I'll think about other ways to make that area feel more polished.

Ok, I talked the the man of the house and we agreed on new curtains for the windows, a good vertical light fixture over the table, and relocating some art to the dining area. I will also resume my hunt for a good laminated tablecloth for everyday decor. (We get the good cloth ones out for company.) No second rug means more dollars available for lighting upgrades. Thanks jck910 and decoenthusiaste for the advice!

Then I would put the sofa under the window and the piano on the wall where the 3 art pieces are. Move them to the dining room, center them 5' above the floor or 5" above a floating shelf or buffet.

I dont think you need a dining rug, too much blocking will make the space feel smaller.

Why so many chairs? What happens n this space day to day?

So many chairs because we're in the middle of a couple of projects. 2 or 3 upholstered chairs will move to other rooms. Several dining chairs will move to Goodwill. Hopefully by next weekend. What happens here day to day is insane, but it doesn't really involve the chairs!

Thanks decoenthusiaste, I'll try moving the sofa in front of the window. We didn't like it there previously, but that was before we had good blinds to control the light. Maybe with the blinds it will work.

IMO no rug in the DR and no tablcloth for decor they belong on the table when setting for a meal and then gone, a nice centerpiece or maybe a runner thats it The rest wait until you have the pieces you are keeping and all the rest gone then take pics. Start by putting the sofa under the window not angled at all

Ok, how about this? Sofa is 22" away from the window. I'm not sure what the right distance is here. I need enough room to walk behind it to raise and lower the blinds (and maybe draw curtains). But pull it too far foward and the entry gets very constricted. Ultimate solution is a smaller sofa. That can't happen right now.

That looks great!

O m gosh that is a complete make over and you didn’t need to buy a thing! This looks perfect

Now I would add curtain panels to bring some more texture and a bit of softness

Dont start a new thread, just post a clean picture from behind the sofa looking at the diningroom.

Ok then, here it is! As clean as I can accomplish at the moment. I need a light fixture for this dining table. Spouse has ruled out multi-pendant fixtures. So my choices are a horizontal singular pendant, something like this (but without stuff dangling below the shade). Horizontal Pendant Or a drum-shade pendant. Drum Pendant If I swapped the gold chair for something more modern, maybe I could pull off a fixture like this? Origami Pendant

Looking for something with a fabric or glass diffuser below the bulbs, and hopefully around $1k or less. Votes for overall shape and/or purchase suggestions greatly appreciated!

https://www.amazon.com/s?k=mid+mod+pendant+light&crid=208OMKA8A6YFZ&sprefix=mid+mod+penda%2Ctools%2C285&ref=nb_sb_ss_fb_1_13_ts-doa-p

picture didn't post

I would keep it really simple

Sorry, not sure why the picture didn't post. Here it is again. RL, I like the round pendant and the pleated one in your first set of suggestions. Is that a Nelson bubble pendant?

Also, I should have given a few dimensional details. The table is 36" wide at the ends, 40" wide in the center. Ceiling height is 92".

Thank you! I keep scrolling to your examples with the Nelson lamp. Hopefully the local DWR has some on display. I really appreciate your Photoshop help!

The link above I sent from Amazon, has them for under 200, and I think that is a fair price, considering what it is, just be sure to put a 3500-4k LED bulb so the lantern glows white and not yellow.

Thanks! I just found one there that gets good reviews. I'll see if I can convince my husband. My real design dream for this room is a Nelson sunflower clock. If I can save some money on the lighting, I'll put it towards my clock.

RL, you've been so helpful with ideas! I feel greedy asking for another opinion, but I'm wondering what you think of this light for the dining table. Would do either the gilt finish, or the white with gilt interior.