depending on your climate the problem with windows all around is overheating and cold so i'd reconsider the size and position of windows and sliding doors to provide additional wall space for furniture

MB - Thanks for taking the time. Do you mean replace a bookshelf with the heater at the living end?

Build has already begun. Increasing size is not an option, and we're happy w/ a smaller footprint / cosy home. Though we could do some dining outside in warm weather / ample patio space. The above shot gives at least 36" from each table to other walls/furniture, and 21" for "banquette" style seating on the benches, as recommended various places. Island seating + dining shouldn't need to be used at same time. But perhaps a different shape or number of tables would suit better.

Thanks for the help.

Oklouise - That might work. We've debated back and forth about the number of windows on the "bottom" wall. We're in Tassie.

Does this work: heater replaces one unit of shelves?
(space for wood store under window seat)

Also, is it better having tables widthwise or lengthwise? This can be changed later, but we're trying to think where to hang pendants.

to maximize comfort we should aim for most big windows and sliding doors looking towards the north but in a cold climate a tall narrow or high wide window facing east or west (that can be screened if necessary) can provide glimpses of sky and views and very welcome morning or afternoon sunshine on those long cold days and also cost less than oversized windows (eg tall narrow or no windows besides the heater and/or wide high windows above the piano or kitchen wall cabinets or "less wide" window above the window seat can improve available wall space without compromising views, light and ventilation, make the room more comfortable and cost less ...love smaller houses and the challenge of finding space for evrything and a version of extending tables that could also be carried out to the patio will be great for your wonderful big groups

Oklouise - Thanks for the window wisdom. View, slope, north and BAL setback are in competition on our property. Top wall is (almost) exactly Northeast; window seat wall is northwest. We're building to BAL-29 if it makes a difference. Do you think the windows work as they stand under those conditions?

overlapping comments and questions!!..i would have less glass in the room but more carefully positioned but have the walls already been built? and you said the joiner wanted 1500mm on either side of the heater and with the heater, say 900mm+ 1500 + 1500 =3900mm leaving only 700mm for the window seat along that end wall so don't think the corner position works any better but, assuming that the window seat is essential for seating crowds, i suggest that the western window could be shorter with bookshelves on sides and above the window leaving north and south walls for the couch and heater (although the heater and couch in my first suggestion could also be swopped over) but it's difficult to be precise without accurate window sizes and the orientation and direction of best views ....to have pendants for dining tables would make it impossible to rearrange furniture so i would have ceiling spotlights evenly distributed around the room with pendants only over the island...and i'm wondering about the room outside the living areas (an entry foyer perhaps??) and other options for the heater and piano but we need names and measurements of all the other rooms to make any other suggestions and/or could you use a heating cooker positioned in the kitchen?

Oklouise -

Joinery + Heater

To get into the nitty-gritty, joiner said that we could have a heater closer, but at a significant uptick in cost. We hadn't considered an asymmetrical window seat, till the comment by MB above. We both think the idea has merit - heating and view are no longer in competition.

Re the cost, nixing one bookshelf means a cost savings to spend on 'upgrading' the window seat. I think we could manage with less shelf space and migrate lost shelving elsewhere.

Pendants

Thanks for your thoughts re pendants. I'm not a huge pendant fan / fairly picky. I know it's on trend, but I don't like exposed bulbs, and I don't like really low hanging pendants that make a statement. I don't want lighting to be the focus of my room. Plus I'm concerned they'll look dated in a few years. So thanks for confirming my preferences. ;)

That said, we have already bought two simple farm style pendants for over the island, and we were still thinking of one for the middle of the room. Do you think one hung centrally is a mistake, with spotlights elsewhere?

Yes, middle room is Entry. Top right room is a music room - already full of instruments (wife is a professional musician). We wanted piano accessible to guests. Top section of house is accessible to guests (and music students). Bottom section is private family areas. Room at bottom right is a second living space with access to attic and more sleeping space.

With heater in corner and tables widthwise, we think the piano may be able to fit in main room. Especially if we're seating 22 or even 23 on the night instead of 24. We'll have to see when we've actually moved in, but this may work. If not, it's ok - we'll survive. ;)

Thanks for all your help!

I'll have to remember to put up photos when we're moved in.

have pendants only over the island and keep the spare for the entry foyer or a surprise for the loo?