Formal living rooms are rarely used from my experience. I can't tell you how many times I have "re-done" them for clients because after living in a home for a while the home owner realizes that they are wasted space. My advice to you about a formal living area is to leave it undone for 3-4 months and utilize the rest of your new home. See what is missing. Do you need an office, a den? A library? Quiet reading area? An exercise room? A craft room? Or maybe you really do need a formal entertaining area for your multitude of guests that come around every weekend where you entertain very high-brow style. But figure that out first otherwise your investment will be wasted. Part of why you and your husband are drawn to different furnishings is for these reasons: 1) The function of the room is not well established. So he envisions sitting on a big bulky comfy couch watching TV, and you envision sipping tea on a gorgeous ethnically inspired piece of furniture and chatting with your friends. This can only be vetted out with time and understanding how you as a couple will use all of your house. 2) You have different ideas about home design. Your husband is interested in comfort and you are interested in style. You will need to find a happy medium. Instead of saying well his style isn't going to fit with my style, think about how he can have a comfortable piece of furniture in the room that is perhaps tailored enough to go along with some beautifully wood carved, ethnic pieces. And this may actually enhance the look and make it look less "themed". And at the end of the day you may want to consider hiring a designer to help you through the process - often times that can help you weed through the process of balancing out form and function and his wants and your wants in the space. Best of luck!

I think a comfortable distance between the island and the counter is around 42". It seems that you have only 30" between your cook top and the counter. I might be a little too tight. The wall between the entrance and the kitchen could be 4' long instead of 6', you would then be able to move the island a foot which would give you more room between the cook top and the island. Could you switch the location of the toilet and vanity in your dad's bathroom so your enter facing a vanity instead of a toilet which is a lot nicer.

Do you have any photos you can share? We do better with both floor plan and pix. I think the 9' area should be devoted to a library/reading nook with bookcases on the two walls and a comfy chair and floor lamp for reading. I see lots of doors but no windows in your space. The stretch of space from the entry to the balcony/gallery should be kept open for traffic flow, so Place the FP on the 7.5' wall to be seen upon entering. I think 'd try a sectional with two equal wings. Put the TV on the 7' wall between the two doors and float the sofa so one wing faces the FP and the other the TV. Use a credenza 25% wider than the TV rather than a TV stand. In the jog that has a 6' and a 4' wall, try a family game or chess table and stools. Be sure to get a big coffee table made of reclaimed wood so people can put their feet up on it.

Recliners . Yes ! As it was the ONLY essential item for a house according to the man of house . So we bought it . Actually two of it . I didn't like it to be placed facing the TV always as it would disrupt the harmony . Thanks to La-z boys - got two swivel fitted ones . One swoosh and it tours toward TV .yep !!