A measured floor plan will give us a much better idea of possibilities. The angled wall eats up so much valuable space, and forces all the narrow (and virtually useless) base drawers and cabinets.

Have you gotten a quote for changing the pony wall from a diagonal to a right angle? Compared to the cost of new cabinets and counters, it might not be as much as you think (if you have an extra box of your flooring).

Quartz if not cheap - you might find a much less expensive granite, and that cost difference might pay for changing the wall.

Spending a lot of money on new cabinets without improving the storage and function of the kitchen is (IMHO) a waste of money.

Your 18 month old fridge you plan to keep is driving the finish selection bus. I do not see a cream cabinet working with it at all. Matching the color of the lower or upper panels on it is the only way to go with that fridge. Sorry, or maybe wood stain or a complimentary color could work. But a cream will look dingy next to the white of fridge panels

I just bought three New Zealand wool dryer balls and have been using them in the dryer. They seem to help with less drying time and clothes feel soft. Had previously used fabric softener very sparingly in the wash. Have also read many stories of buildup issues with both softener and dryer sheets so don't bother anymore. Also can't stand the smell of all that stuff!!

I'm glad the stool idea works for you. Instead of a swivel chair in the window, get a pair of chairs to go directly across from the Stressless chairs with a table in between. You'll be able to move them around to look out the window or just look out the window from one of the chairs at the table. Maybe a small, round table to go between them either for dining or just sitting with a cup of coffee to look out the window. You could use a pedestal table like this.

A pair of swivel chairs like these (in whatever color you choose) don't look like an office chair but are easy to move around if needed.

As far as bookcases, IMO, closed doors are better. Open shelves ask to be filled and can get very busy. Closed storage feels neater to me.

As for the air conditioning vent, they make magnetic covers that deflect the air in different directions so it isn't blowing directly down on you.

Jan said it not so nice .......as per usual when a thread spirals to what will become a three year, 10,000 post thread......"fondly " known in my Houzz world as too many voices, or the clique that hung in forever and should take it to personal emails clique, and the vast internet of too many visuals, too many options.

In the end, it is nothing more than analysis paralysis : )

You, and all the rest who have posted will simply have to forgive me............but I just spit coffee on my monitor.

I am all for comfort, but in thirty four years of design, I can honestly say I have never in my life seen as much hand wring and "deep think" over one single room for two people.

Head rests? To sit across from one another and chat for a couple hours? For all day? Like a road trip in the car where you'd be sitting next to one another?

While all the greens in nature do harmonize as we gaze TO mother nature, the endless and limiting insistence on having your favorite everywhere you gaze may well yield a room set for yawning.

Then we have the additional angst over whether, just the right lighter neutral sofa could be off in some microscopically invisible ...shade of white ,,ivory..oatmeal.....

I have to call it the car crash from which, I cannot avert my eyes, leaving me wondering whether to laugh or cry....

FWIW ......it's down here but for paint color which is too dark and too red tone. Like sad opaque "Leggs" pantyhose of yore, from the local grocery rack : )

WHAT if you can't find the perfect pitch or alignment for this however long chat as you must simultaneously have perfect view of trees?

Beat me up : ) It's fine......

OMG! An organizer's dream!! All of these solutions are wonderful and creative!! We especially love #1 (Base drawers--easier to access) and #18 (Charging Drawer-Hiding unsightly wires and phones)