SFGate

creeser A lot of houses in our area are set up like your house. It's very popular to use just the columns to give the visual of separating the spaces, but not the half wall.

eustaciaj Here is are similar homes. Last one is my house.

Jayme Hobbs Agree with columns but no half wall

creeser I think the half wall might be too much for your space. I think it will crowd your dining table. I like it like you have it.

eustaciaj Thanks for comments. I am an "encore" bride and we are trying to combine our furniture to make it an easy transition. Any other ideas to make these areas work would be greatly appreciated.

creeser I see from the before photo that you moved the rug from under the sofa to the new foyer area. I think it's too wide for that area. Notice the rugs in 2 of the other photos you posted? If you decide not to do the half wall, I would go with a rug the size of the one in the 3rd photo which is just short of the width of the front door and side glass. If you do the half wall, then to keep from crowding your foyer, I'd do a rug the size of the one in the yellow photo.

creeser Also, that lovely turquoise pot you have on the coffee table. I would bring that color in a print with a couple of sofa pillows.

eustaciaj I decided to commit to the foyer arches and columns without the half wall. Should I continue the chair rail into the foyer? I want to add an accent color either to the foyer wall or dining room. Ideas?

houssaon If you remove the chair rail, the it will add to the visual separateness of the foyer. There is no reason to have the chair rail in the foyer, so I would take it out.

creeser I agree with houssaon.

lpmenache You have made all the right choices, yes to arches and columns, no to 1/2 wall and chair rail. Good work! The rug does more to define the space than anything else.

eustaciaj UPDATE and still need help.
Arches complete. What next. I need to repurpose the dinning room set for a while. Should I paint it black? Replace two head chairs? Accent walls? Foyer: get rid of clock?
Living room: how can I tie the two rooms together?

eustaciaj UPDATE and still need help.
Arches complete. What next. I need to repurpose the dinning room set for a while. Should I paint it black? Replace two head chairs? Accent walls? Foyer: get rid of clock?
Living room: how can I tie the bar and living room together?