Just a quick note to thank you all for sharing your thought, ideas, experience and time. I especially want to thank Bluenan and decoenthusiaste for being with me through the all process for the last 6 months or so..., just wanted to post few photos of the results (https://www.houzz.com/discussions/any-ideas-for-final-touches-to-this-living-dinning-room-dsvw-vd~569586) as I feel it is not only me who created this space but it is your creations as much as mine. It may not be perfect or according to the the "Rules", but it is Me and my family. Each and every piece was chosen by me in different parts of the world and each one of them has a unique story behind. I am very pleased with my space. I love it! I am very blessed. .... and so I am off to my new project now... Back to school.... that's really going to be hard ;) Thank you all, once again.

I think you're making great progress. CDR wanted you to put them all vertical because she thinks only professionals should style bookcases. We are/were all amateurs at one point, that doesn't mean we shouldn't decorate our own homes. You're getting there! Just keep studying the photos of bookshelves that you like and keep practicing. Just remember to keep the decorations simple. Look over the beautiful photo above from Maureen again, and you can see that some shelves are still all books, and there are only a few decorative pieces.

My advice is to visit an independent kitchen showroom. Oftentimes they have access to more standard priced options than the big kitchen firms. Reduced height cabinets can be set at almost any height by wall hanging them, or changing the plinth height or having bespoke feet. Since standing is a challenge I presume you will also need to talk to them about pull out units (all of my crockery is in drawers which is much easier to access) you can also put fridges, ovens etc at any height making them easier to access. You might also look at different oven doors, some slide underneath or open to the side making access to the oven easier. You can get dishwashers the size of a single oven which might be easier to load and of course can be set at any height. If your overall strength is compromised you might choose bigger handles to open cabinets. If you want over counter cabinets you might choose to have reduced depth base cabinets to improve access to the cabinets above. You can get extractors that work with a remote control which helps future proof your kitchen if at a later date you find yourself sitting more or unable to stand.

Your room looks large and lovely but with an entrance at one end and a fireplace at the other can seem a bit long. Firstly take EVERYTHING out. This will show the room in the best advantage and get rid of clutter. Only put back things you absolutely love. I would put two sofas or a sofa and two chairs (they don't have to be a suite) in front of the fireplace OR get a solid coloured L shaped sofa as it seems you are orienting the room toward the TV. You could then put a nice rug under a light-feeling coffee table (maybe glass and wood to pick up your chimney breast) in the middle. This would allow you to get rid of the multiple small side tables. I would lighten up the alcoves alongside the fireplace, either paint or light wallpaper. Get a proper piece of furniture for the TV to stand on. TV stands are ugly. There's lots to choose from. Try IKEA. Take down the heavy curtains and put in Roman blinds in a print fabric you love (try to find one with at least 3 colours) and coordinate with your rug. You could then use colours in this to make/pick throws and pillows. At the end near the door you could put in a small table and your rocking chair and make it like a separate area for music or reading with a nice standing lamp. Get some inexpensive drum light shades to update the lighting and put in another standing lamp by your sofa, as mentioned above, and lower your pictures to eye height. Good luck!