Thank you roj leather and Simon for your recommendations. I like the hanging chair and the almanda creeper on the wall. This will certainly liven up the patio.

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.

I think you should stay with a simple pattern for draperies. Possibly a pattern incorporating the white trim and warm yellow walls. This would be soft and understated and something that you wouldn't get tired of easily. Other colors could be introduced with accessories.

Heres my dilemma - this is my family room and i love how it looks. However, the windows are really long and go below the couch. So i can't open the shutters (not even 1) without having to move the couch. I really would like to be able to get some fresh air as it gets stuffy in this room. So even though I love the shutters I would like to replace them with something that will allow me to open the windows . Advise? Suggestions?