HU, I've replied to old posts, sometimes the related questions that appear can be confusing and the date can be overlooked, it happens, I think many of us have done it, so don't worry about it. Thing is, if the original poster is no longer following and if other people looking for inspo are more likely to get advice by starting a question of their own than getting lost in an old discussion and if people willing to reply waste time reading through before noticing the question is 7 years old, and it brings it back to the first page making it more likely more people will mistake it for a recent discussion, I'm not sure how productive any of that is, so I appreciate the 'old post' advisory, and in that spirit since I've now added to the conversation I'll draw to others' attention that this is an OLD POST

I think both plans make the stairs too dominant and take away from look of house original stairs actually look better and suit house Will you use decking? Maybe modernise railing and look at door and window treatments

The pole isnt structural , but is just sitting on the granite bench with a small indent cut out (I asked for that not to be done but you know how it goes) Like your suggestions. What would you suggest for colour difference, or not, of the walls vs cabinetry? The teal accents on walls are an experiment...But now I am getting a sand/white cloth chaise in adjoining lounge area....I am up for anything that is stunning! (except cant change granite top :()

I mentioned earlier to think about dropping the wall next to the stairs to hip or slightly higher height to allow for the TV, as this would further open up the top floor and perhaps show the street art, ie the framed print. I know that you don't want anything else hanging from the ceiling but because of the ceiling height you will need a reverse hanging fan to bring all the warm air down into the room that will sit up there if you don't. The heater is because you had one shown in your posted floor plan, this is one of the fires available on my 1997 CAD program, that's the colour it comes in but can be changed within the program cheers