i would say, choose a theme just for that space and work around it! for example: maybe "asian" theme! paint the back wall RED or ORANGE, have a piece of buddha statue on the top most rack, you can use one shelve to just hold books with some decorative book ends, and instead of the chair, you can use the asian trunck boxes (if you google for asian trunks, you can see what i am talking about! - look for square boxes), this way, you can also tuck those boxes under the desk/shelf when not in use and the trunk could also be a storage for your files - you can also place a floor vase with some bamboo sticks - the asian theme would really work here as your wood is black/brown this would also turn out to be a peaceful writing space - enjoy!

Thanks for the picture. My friend from Palakkad emailed to confirm that a charupadi is "the sitting area in the entrance (Poomukham) of the house that looks like a bench". The teak is fabulous. My friend also writes that "new buildings are trying to copy the architecture of the heritage buildings in concrete. It is not the same feel". I love teak....in older hotels in Burma the floors were teak and I used to walk in my bare feet...wonderful!!!!

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.

One option, I would get a very large rug so that all the chair legs and at least one corner of the sofa is on the rug. I think I would also bring the table set away from the window a little more. I think there is enough space to place the two-seater opposite the table in front of the window. or bring the table forward toward the kitchen ....... With the sofa centered to the large window. They probably will not be opposite each other, but at an angle which is still ok. They might seem more functional for the table set to be closer to the kitchen. Another option is two rugs in wide runners. Creating a walkway through the center of the room. Still thinking the sofa center of the right window. Just some ideas :-)