@mhatres, Consider yourself lucky today. I had a student designer who wanted to see how a design can be made with a little information. I took your floorplan for an example and made these designs for you. Hope you liked them!

OK... but the wire wont be lower as it is fixed now. The wire in the pics below is the wall facing each other. They were leveled on equal height but the beam on one wall makes it seem a little above. But i think you guys are absolutely right that up and down lights wont look good there. I think you are right about down lights lessismoore. Would it look good if i go with two different lights on opposite walls??? it would look odd right.

The table would go int he nook. Replacing the round glass top one I have there currently

Hi Ria Kindly go through this diagram for zoning of spaces and arrangement of furniture for your living and dining area. Your block dimensions dosen't match the scale of the plan but I have still provided with the best possible arrangement :) Hope this helps :) Do get back if you have any doubt :) Thanks & Regards Aditi Morayya Space Design