Hi Mark, Definitely a strange lighting set up. You could plump for just one statement pendant light, oozing in style and volume for all to admire. Or Alternatively, a row of spotlights or downlights could provide a decent amount of light whilst also remaining fairly discreet. It all depends on whether you want your lighting to become a dominant feature or more of a functional attribute that can be blended in. I've attached images of just some of the lights which could work in this room.

Hello melsals, Well firstly you can work around these things... I don't feel that having a dining table on a carpet is too much of a problem.. If you wanted to get a rug to go underneath that area, that too could be nice.. I would suggest picking something that is not too dissimilar in colour to what you have flooring wise, thus you aren't breaking up the floor too much.. I also like the benches idea... Or stools that you could stack.. I have another suggestion... Depending on the size of the breakfast bar you mention... Can you have a fold away extension? which you can then use as a dining area with stools/benches.. When not in use it could be folded back under the existing part of the table and benches stored as casual seating somewhere in the kitchen.. Of course I am only making suggestions and don't know the dimensions of said space or if that could work... but perhaps that could solve the seamless requirement and leave the living room as living room.. : ))

Because the sofas are big heavy and dark I agree that you need to lighten up this room. I wouldn't have additional furniture because I think it looks full already but I might swap your little table lamp for a standard lamp to you have a light that is the same height as the TV. I also think your mirror is undersized, it should hang portrait to make the room seem taller - a round mirror would also work. I would get a white dining table. The mahogany trunk seems to obscure the view of the fireplace- perhaps a lower table should be better. I would also get an oversized houseplant. I don't mind the fireplace. I think you can put any colour on the walls and I don't think it has to be neutral but you should replace the curtains with much paler-perhaps even white. I think one of the reasons for replacing the curtains is the now slightly dated pattern. Perhaps put pattern in art or cushions so it can be changed more regularly. I like the rug but it does dictate your decorating choices- could it go in another room? If it can I think that your instinct is right that a large pale textured rug would be comfy and visually break up the dark tones of the sofas and floor. Lastly I would add a throw and a couple of cushions to make the sofas less imposing, add pattern and break up their darkness.

I had a ushaped kitchen with peninsula in previous house as no room for island. I never felt stuck behind it- in fact i liked the fact that guests and kids were more likely to stay on the dining side out of my way! I now have an island as I'm stuck with the kitchen in the house we bought, and it drives me a bit crazy when there are lots of people in the kitchen as they all gather around the island and get in the way! I think your plan is pretty good except for oven position. I think it's really far from your workspace, and also I'd question the wisdom of having the oven beside the fridge? Maybe a tall larder cupboard in this position, and a range style cooker with double oven beneath? Or move the hob to the peninsula and put double oven somewhere along that wall?