Wow, that was awesome Mark, thanks for that and everyone else. I thought about the desk facing the other way actually, to avoid feeling enclosed I do have really great views there so I thought about a small couch and maybe a bookshelf on the back, but having the dining table in front is probably not the best either.... complicated :( Here are a couple more pics, today was a beautiful day so I managed to get more of the views

Hi Jennifer K, thanks for your comments. The photos you have posted are really lovely but not really suited to our environment and house, which I know is impossible to tell from one photo. We have built a modern farmhouse on 10 acres. That room looks out to beautiful green countryside and the river below. The dining room is a bit of a feature and is completely different to the rest of our relaxed lodgey style house but I don't want it to be too modern, if that makes sense. The photos have given me a few ideas so thank you so much for your help!

If it is a casual buffet type meal you don't need to go over board on the dinner table. I would suggest a lovely table runner a pose of fresh flowers (not high so that you block peoples view across the table). Some lovely place mats, standard silverware and glasses all set out and a couple of very simple candle sticks - I also love the idea of the mini Led Fairy lights but maybe around the room (perhaps a mirror if you have one in the room). If you have napkin rings or can make lovely napkins shapes out of origami, that adds a little bit of class and perhaps a small chocolate at each place setting. Don't go over board. After all it is the company (and the food) that should be the star of the night and you need to relax as well. Not every decorative piece needs to be on the table.

I have your setup #1 and it works well, we do drip a bit of water on the floor between sink and dishwasher, but you learn not to!! Also it gives a full clear bench on the peninsular for eating, setting out, or working or whatever. Your kitchen is slightly narrower, from memory ours is 1.6M not 1.3 as you have yours, Our peninsular has a circular end which has actually proved very beneficial for sitting round, and seats up to 5, meaning you are not sitting in a long line, but facing each other round the end, - I love it, it is a real gathering point. The outer side of the peninsular curves in to the centre, then flows out to make the circular ending, so its not protruding into the kitchen but into the other side, sorry I don't think I can add a sketch to this.