Is is possible to move the kitchen opening to the side facing the entry? If you can close the other kitchen opening, then you have a nice big space for your living area without the foot traffic, making the space entirely usable. That makes the space as you first come in your dining area.

I like the hutch, but it does take up a lot of room.

If you want a big tv, I'd put it either opposite the fireplace when you walk in (a bit awkward) or get a big divider that can house a tv (like the ikea expedit) and looks okay from two sides and looks somewhat open. This might seem also awkward, but that way you could have a low or spare MCM couch by the window and watch tv from there. There's really no other way I can see having a tv in there without blocking the window or competing with the fireplace.

I realize it's small, but I think it would look less small with a bigger table, centered, and more furniture.

What a lovely large space! I think a wall of bookshelves or storage would be good along the big blank wall to the left of the front door (as you're coming in). Move the TV over to where the divider is and move the chair to where the TV is, and then put a couch facing the fire or a sectional that L-shapes flush with the window and angles around toward the fire. Our two couches in the same position if a sectional isn't in your plans.

*Last sentence should be "or," not "our"

I would move the television set to back against the built in buffet or possibly angled out of the corner that the buffet makes against the wall, and then create a conversation group anchored by the rug in front of the fireplace. Group a couch and two chairs around the coffee table, with the couch angled to take in the television and the fireplace, and two chairs opposite the couch.

I'd create a landing strip area of some sort along the short wall just to the left of the entry door. Possibly a console table or tall buffet with a mirror over it. With young children in the house, I would also consider putting some kid-high pegs or hooks in the landing strip zone to hang hats and coats on, or whatever.

For myself, I'd use the wall opposite the fireplace for built-in or built-in-looking shelving, floor to ceiling if possible.

I would certainly bring the dining table out to center it under the lamp, or else swag the lamp over so it centers over the table.

i'm thinking of buying a very similar HW coffee table i found locally.

Switching the LR and DR isn't a bad idea because it solves the problem of where to locate the flatscreen TV. There really isn't a good location for it in the current LR, unless you put it above the mantle, which I'm not crazy about. And having a fireplace next to your dining room table makes for a very intimate space.

The office/toys, etc., should probably be in the back, and not having the DR there would spare you the feeling of eating at your desk.

Is it possible to create two kitchen nook entrances - it would create a better flow and less foot traffic?

I would use the space in front of the fireplace as the dining room. I'd mount the flat screen on the wall in the now dining room and use that area as a living room. The space off the foyer would now be your office area and storage area for toys, etc.

Another option is kind of like aakid said - make the entering space the dining room. Use the now dining room as a TV area/family room and you could even have a sitting area by the fireplace. You might be able to do a nice narrow desk in front of the bay window - you'd have an excellent view as you work.

Okay, First of all you need a sofa and two small end tables with reading lamps on your empty wall in the living room. With art above it. No art budget? Buy two small canvases and paint them to hang above your sofa. Just do it simply, it will look great. That's your first purchase.

2nd purchase will involve a carpenter. You need to commission a carpenter to build a mirror image of your current room divider/hutch and apply a wood o backing to your shelves and the bottom back of the pieces as well.

Eventually, when you decide to get rid of your television which is ancient, you can mount your new flatscreen to the top surface, which will provide a proper place for your television. To hide the wiring, you build a box across the back of your hutch, open to the wall side and this is where you run your wiring through to the wall. Don't forget to put decorative elements in your shelving. I like glass pieces in all one color. That way you can build your collection slowly and it looks cohesive.

since this room has to serve many functions, mainly a living room, hallway of sorts and dining room, it is probably best if you try to section off the space by purpose. The fireplace should most certaintly be the focal point of the living room portion. Rather than doing the boring square formation of furniture (fireplace on on side, couch parallel and chairs flanking either side, i would suggest that you move the furniture in a V formation. As for the TV, i would say its natural place has to be above the fireplace. If you do not want it to compete with the fireplace, i have seen some TV's that mask as art, with some sort of cover and a frame maybe. The dining area can then be placed next to the living area. I would suggest maybe a small bench to go along the back wall opposite the fireplace or bookshelves for extra storage. As for the colors, i would say draw from your love of midcentry modern and select a color like chartruse or a muted version of that. The green and yellow tones would nicely complment the tone of the wood, as well as your existing furniture (minus the rug, which should go regardless because it competes with the style of the furniture as well as with the color of the floor). if you were to paint the walls that greenish or yellow color, you would be well suited in your future furniture and decorating finds because so many of the colors that are typical of that era are complements.

love the space!

LR set up: I would leave the area rug placement where it is currently and put the sofa immediately behind it facing the fireplace. This would allow the traffic from the front door to stay behind the sofa and conversation area. If there is room, you can do a slim console table along the back of the table with lamps for additional lighting. Then 2 chairs facing the window with their backs to the hutch. Possibly a third chair with its back to the windows. Leave TV where it is next to the fireplace and mount it on the wall there.

On the back wall opposit the fireplace, I would put either a large bookcase (or several smaller ones together), a shallow desk with a stool instead of chair, or a large credenza with good storage with a great mirror or art on top.

Dining room: I like the hutch but it's too short. If you get a larger table, it will be longer than the hutch and that will just look off. I would probably remove this and replace it with other open shelves (check out CB2). You can also leave it open, but I think it will provide good storage. I would also get a larger table for that area.

Both light fixtures need to be replaced.

Make sure to email pics when it's done!

Here are my 2 cents (for what it's worth) I like the idea of furniture gathered around the fireplace and I'd put the couch in front of the window, 2 chairs facing the fireplace w/ a small table in the middle or a vintage pole lamp w/ a built in table perhaps instead (if no plug there, have one added in the floor) and since the couch may well be low, I'd not put the TV above the fireplace as then it'd be much too high for comfortable viewing (do keep that in mind when placing the TV anywhere) and place the TV to the left of the fireplace on a credenza or some such that will both add storage and provide a place for the TV and DVD player and all that is related.

The dining area, a nice table with leaves that can be removed/hidden so most times it can just be set for 4 people, and yet can expand out to seat 6-8 when needed. I'd replace both fixtures with something either vintage or that looks from the period.

The back wall to the left of the entry hall (as one comes into the room, I'd place bookcases along the long wall that does not necessairly go the entire length but then add shelves and an "L" shaped desk in the corner for the office. Use area rugs for both the living area and the dining area to help differenciate the two areas. and then add artwork where you can, I'd suggest something large in the dining area and something over the fireplace.

This way, the traffic flow will go behind the 2 chairs towards the dining area and the table will stay mostly out of the way even when extended and if need be, swag the new dining lamp over the table. Builders make the big mistake of centering overhead fixtures and so swagging is often the solution in these situations.

Good luck

It's very difficult to comment without knowing what your furniture is, but I actually think you should mentally divide your space into 3 areas rather than 2:

1 - A dining area beside the kitchen (I'm assuming "kitchen nook" means "kitchen" and that the kitchen units will make it impossible or quite costly to move the entrance)

2 - A living area in the portion diagonally opposite the kitchen nook, where the fireplace is

3 - An office / homework / computer / bookcase area in the area opposite the fireplace (you obviously don't need it to be a landing strip since you have the entrance lobby for that).

This should mean you can pass through the larger space without tripping or climbing over furniture.

I think your biggest problem then is your flatscreen TV. If you're dead set on wall mounting it then I think the only place is over the fireplace. In which case your sofa really has to go opposite the fireplace - although I suspect the TV will be too high for comfortable viewing if it's above the fireplace.

If you can bring yourself to put your flatscreen on a low cabinet then I think you should put it more or less where the current TV is. Then you should arrange your living room furniture to define this sitting area.

Don't get rid of the hutch, I think it's great!!! It would be a perfect place for a minibar, and frankly, I think you do need something to break up the space... it's awfully cavernous. I think you should actually add something (like a large plant or a floor lamp) to the extend the hutch into the space even further.

The TV situation is problematic, but I think you could get one of those nifty tilting ones and put it in the corner by the hutch next to the fireplace.

I like the direction you're going with your furniture, but obviously you need more of it. Bookshelves or pretty bins would break up the long wall. Maybe a good place to start would be create a "landing strip" for the area immediately inside the door with a small table/desk for sorting mail, a comfy chair, and maybe a cork board or nice bit of cheap art.

You should move your existing dining table further into the dining nook... they look squished in that corner!

Also, plants are cheaper than furniture and take up a bunch of space... you've also got pretty good light, so get thee some ficuses!

Wow.
1. You need color in the room.
2. That hutch is a gorgeous mid century accent. I wouldn't take that out, especially seeing the furniture you like, it goes so well.

Unless you want dark green as an accent color for the room, ditch the rug. Get something clean, in a color you want to incorporate with the room. Maybe a gorgeous muted vintage yellow or a bright red.

It honestly makes me want to cry that you're going to/already did remove the hutch, it is so gorgeous! I see it with (maybe red) accents (vases etc) and silver. maybe martini sets and glassware!

And if you didn't like that idea you could do whatever you want in those spaces but pick a color that you want as an accent for the room and put a few pieces in the hutch with that color.

As far as layout for the living room: get rid of the old tv, and put a flatscreen above the fireplace. It's not the best thing ever but thats the best way to make the living room feel sleek and get rid of that stuffy atmosphere in there. We had the same problem with our place, but we decided to put it opposite the fireplace. For you I reccomend above the fireplace because we will use that back wall (I'll explain in a moment).

Put a couch on opposite the fireplace and the chair on the dining room side. Behind the couch put a skinny table behind it against the back. Put a lamp or a vase or books with bookends. Coffee table and side tables are fine but for god's sake put something on them! A fantastic vintage glass bowl on the table, or even a modern-ey silver one with apples. On the side table some of your favorite magazines with a glass paperweight next to them and some cool vintagey-feeling coasters.

Don't forget that back wall behind the couch! It's your untapped space! There is plenty of room there for a desk. against the wall. Above it maybe a large piece of art, or a mirror. On either side, a bookshelf or storage unit of your choice. Toys and such can be stored in them! In the corner a chair. This will be nice aesthetically, but also when you need another chair around the coffee table it'll come in handy. Next to it a basket for more toys even.

In the foyer, either a half circle table against the wall with a mirror or art above it, and a standing coatrack, so that there's a drop zone for stuff when walking in. You could also do a low mid century modern bench as a drop zone. Even wall hooks for coats, scarves and hats can be done artfully. Get something on that wall though, so it doesn't feel so bare. Drop zones are especially helpful for keeping all that out of the living room.

Center the dining table in the dining room. People can walk around a table, it shouldnt be pushed into the corner.

Remember things that can drastically change a room without a lot of money: Paint! Paint those walls and the whole room will feel different. Pick a color like a nice muted yellow or cool grey and they will work with many of your pieces.

Just put accents on your surfaces and on your walls. Those make all the difference.

ps, inspiration: think Mad Men.

http://graphics8.nytimes.com/packages/images/photo/2008/08/11/20080811MAD/19570177.JPG

http://theantiroom.files.wordpress.com/2009/02/mad-men.jpg

In my opinion, this is a relatively simple layout - and I agree that the built-in cabinet should remain as it adds character & storage and helps define the spaces, but consider installing a piece of acrylic on the livingroom side of the open shelves to diffuse the light and act as a backer for your dishware display.

Sofa in the Living Room with it's back to the front windows, but floating away from the wall - end tables & lamps on both ends.
Coffee table in the center of the living room, TV to the left of the fireplace in the corner that's created by the built-in cabinet (When it's time to get the flatscreen, it goes on the wall above the fireplace). Two armchairs angled opposite the sofa & fireplace rounding out the conversation area with another end table and table lamp in between and a large area rug to anchor this entire area.

Dining area centered in it's space - beneath the light fixture rather than against the wall.

Entry area should at least consist of a credenza w/ mirror and lamp against the long wall, perhaps a long narrow bench with a large piece of artwork above or even another armchair or two as a focal point/secondary seating area on the wall backing up to the kitchen opposite the entry hall.

1) Flatscreen TV above the fireplace
2) 3 seater sofa facing the fireplace
(do not block the window with a sofa)
3) 2 armchairs in the corners next to the fireplace, facing the sofa
4) large coffee table in front of the sofa
5) sidetable in the size of the sofa directly behind the sofa, to put some books/magazines on, some art, flowers, etc
6) wall to wall bookcase against long wall behind sofa (between entry/foyer and kitchen nook)
7) large rug in front of the bookcase
8) large rectangle table in dining area
9) give the floor a good wax
10) get rid of the cabinet, it's an ugly focuspoint. Instead place a large side table or a side board to set the area aside

no flat screen above the fireplace. I like your retro old cabinet tv! You have a great space to work with and some great suggestions here. Please post your after pictures

Instead of buying a flatpanel TV, buy a ceiling-mounted projector. Project onto the wall next to the front door. Position the couch (when you get one) perpendicular to the fireplace wall, with two armchairs opposite it. Get a couple of ottomans or pouffes for extra seating. You'll be able to watch TV without making it the focus of the room.

Another option is to hang a normal flatpanel TV on the back of the built-in and position a couch under the windows, with the armchair opposite the couch (next to the TV.

LIVING:

If the sofa is not too long, I would put it across from the fireplace, not blocking the doorway. Then a chair in the corner where the tv currently is and another chair on the other side of the fireplace.
Or an L-shaped sofa with one side in front of the window and the other opposite the fireplace. Then a chair opposite the window. (Just flip it if you don't want to block the window).
http://www.bludot.com/Browse_Products/Seating/product/Paramount_Left_Sectional,_2_Piece
http://www1.macys.com/catalog/product/index.ognc?ID=252644&CategoryID=35391

Put the tv over the fireplace. It seems the best option in this space.

OFFICE/ENTRY:

You can put a desk on the wall opposite the entry way.
Then put some shelves or cabinets on the wall by the entrance that can be used for all the storage you need.
http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/categories/departments/workspaces/11689/
http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/categories/departments/living_room/10382/

DINING:

An extension table would be a good idea if you don't have people over to eat a lot. Something that fits your family but leaves more play space for the day to day, but can expand easily when you have guests. Crate & Barrel has a lot of extension tables that seem simple to expand.

If you have people over a lot, consider an oversized square or round dining table that fits about 8 people.http://www.mirandasalmon.co.uk/images/oak-square-table.jpg

I think it would be worth the effort to strip the paint off that divider/cabinet and see what kind of wood is underneath, it could be something quite beautiful.

I would go couch opposite fireplace, with a low sofa table or bookshelf behind it, and then do my home office in the rectangular area that creates, with a desk and more bookcases in that area across from the front entry. Don't put anything for an entryway inside the front door, that's why you have a foyer - maybe just a little table or some baskets to drop things.

if you do as bepsf suggested and put a sheet of acrylic (or even a wallpapered or fabric-covered panel) on the back of your built-in cabinet, then I would put the tv there, on a corner stand, and do like everyone is suggesting and get a bigger dining table to fill your dining area.

oh, and I loved someone's idea to put a big plant next to the cabinet to extend the divider out into the space more.

Nice place!

i think a big, comfy L couch would be good for you