It's not the *desk* that needs to be interactive and fun; try ditching the chairs and getting stability/yoga balls :) http://www.philly.com/philly/health/kidshealth/Teachers_ditch_student_desk_chairs_for_yoga_balls_.html http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/11/28/exercise-ball-classroom-desk-chair_n_2206743.html http://www.kshb.com/dpp/news/education/kindergarten-classroom-has-no-chairs http://newadventuresinfirstgrade.blogspot.ch/2011/09/where-it-happens-wednesday.html

Since the lot you describe is smaller than my open living area, I would suggest looking at some of the "shotgun" house plans around New Orleans,LA. I think you can build up and back and get an interesting home with a loft for space. It can be done, A porch with an entry to a narrow hall at the back might work best for you. Will you plan a courtyard (closed)? or what? What part of the country are you in? What are your local codes?

Your room is big and void of color. Yes there is too much brown. If not replacing. Add light colored pillows big in a cream print. Add teal to mix. Get a 8 x10 area rug. Go cream base and a contemporary design in very bold colors, red, yellow and black, teals mix it up. Can you get regular chairs. Those look like game chairs, can they go in kids room? Pull sectional into room out of corner face TV wall. With big rug and a 36" ottoman square. In a color. Maybe zebra for fun. On TV wall. Get a wall to wall floor to ceiling or close to it wall unit. Ikea has some go white. Get. Long low media cabinet. Also Ikea in white. Place TV on top. Fill wall unit with colorful pots candles books. Just don't over do leave 50% empty. You could paint that wall a darker (2) shade of walls. After you have centered sofa in room more. On wall behind a very large art contemporary 40x40 hang very low. On empty wall in dining area. Get a long 6-7 ft chest. Something different. Asian feel red lacquered would be fun. Over it add big art piece bold colors 40 x40 hang 6" above top of cabinet. More art big by dining table. I would change chairs to a high back leather in Teal. Pier one has them. Your whole place needs color. Area rug under table 8 x10. Solid teal. Add big palms in corner to fill and warm up space. In chairs get two swivel barrel type in a print. Modern go taupe and blue/greens. Wi Dow panels on ends only in teal. Ck bed n bath. TJMax a good source. For art ect.

Most regions have their own prevailing construction methods and materials that are common and customary to that region. It may be driven by the available raw materials, local labor and their experience with a certain type of construction, and the cost of labor to build. Other factors that drive the different type of construction can be pressures from the environment and climate conditions. One can create recesses in masonry or stone walls but there may be structural weaknesses that become a factor or just more complicated construction that becomes involved. Building recesses in heavy masonry walls verses light stick framed walls can be equally possible. Reducing the thickness of a wall can also affect the insulation capabilities of that wall as well as the structure.