I just figured it out: This person is from India (hence no bathtubs - these are wetrooms w/ shower only and a floor drain) and since this is a corner lot hemmed in by neighboring houses, OTS = Open To Sky... ...and that massive staircase probably goes up to the roof where they have their only outdoor space as well as space for hanging laundry, etc. IMO, putting the car on the exposed corner is the worst use of space and light - I'd stash the car on another side against the neighbor's house where there's no light - locating the public rooms and the kitchen along the front of the house and the bedrooms in the back where they don't necessarily need daylight - perhaps through the use of clerestory windows into the public rooms, the light can be borrowed for the center bedroom... Either way, Inkwitch is right (if a bit abrupt) I'd get a new architect who has some talent for efficient small space design to do your home.

You have all the reasons to redo the house, its very lifeless and looks worn out. I feel creating a separation will terminate the spaciousness of the room. Adding colours will surely help, Since you have a tan color sofa,I suggest grey, white or light blue color on one of the walls. Add some art works of the color you chose for the wall. This room needs some fillers like , books, throws, candle stands tall and lean. YES DON FORGET 1. Mount the tv on the wall make some space on the floor and Fix a large size mirror ( Wooden Frame if you can afford).

is bedroom 2 the one to the right of the dining room? the bathroom there is showing a basin in it. yes? so you want to know, aside from the basin/sink in that bathroom would you also like one in the living room dining room itself. i don't see a need for another one, if the kitchen is right there, and the bathroom is right there... having an additional sink in the dining room isnt something i understand a need for.

@corner Stone designs. sorry if I had given an impression it mud slinging. but objectively speaking the suggestion to go for a chimney just because someone asked for it instead of addressing the real issue us not what I intended to do. one has to understand all the negatives as well veggie going in for a decision . just like you have the right to suggest there is nothing wrong in pointing out the issues in the proposed solution. none of us are internet warriors but most of us are "sold" items that we will never need in our life by creating an illusion. I know that dinner call it business but I am not in such one and I have the luxury to call a spade a spade. Even now the person who asked for is not sure in what they want but they think that a chimney will solve the issue. engineering doesn't work that way. unless we know what the real issue us, which isn't clear if it is the smoke or the smell and the your of food cooked, the frequency, the 80/20 utility of the kitchen we are not even close to understanding the problem. my intent is to emphasize the importance of understanding the problem and then look for issue and not provide a ready made solution. we can all suggest something by seeing a picture that fire will come and catch the chef if it is located in the window but do you think that what you say is practical. you may construct this as much slinging be as a novice I have a genuine question. how many houses have such a fire accident. we don't even know if the stove is electric or gas. if it is electric then they just no question of fire. so I encourage you to objectively approach and not see this as a mud slinging thing as that's not the point.