This space opens up to the living room area, so both spaces need to coordinate. The one way I did this was tie in the same matching rugs and coordinate the drapery fabrics. I wanted to add elegant long drapes to the living area, but added a two fabric combo valance to dress up the sliding door area nook in the dining space. The rugs are bright and cheerful and add punch of color. I also like the two finishes in the cabinetry, giving the option to mix and match woods in other furniture pieces, such as the dining table and chairs. I also like to mix and match dining table sets, this give a custom look and also makes it fun. I love the trellis back splash in the kitchen with the off white cabinets, it's nice and clean feeling and the blue accented walls makes it pop. The island is nice and big and you can see that you can really change up the look by adding different styles of bar stools. The wrought iron ones were fancy and added to the wrought iron lighting and decor, but they swiveled which wasn't most kid friendly. You do have to think of function when buying furniture, so the red wood bar stools were a bit less wider and I was able to fit more at the island and the kids won't be able to fidget back and forth running in to the granite counter top. We love this space, it's nice and open to the living room space and great for entertaining.