Yes, I know. Small spaces are so hard sometimes. But look at Taiwan, or Thailand, they have small spaces and definitely make it fit! It seems like you like to change things around often. I change my room around too. For organization, I suggest get a small desk and stick some shelves over the desk only. Youll have alot more creative room on the floor that way. Have a rolling side table. 2 floor liners and/or rug throws to place wherever. Comfy pillows to lounge on the floor. Go to Anna's linens or the nearest discount fabric store and get some cool fabrics to use as window shades. You can change the fabric depending on the season or if you get sick of the color. You would be amazed the difference in how your room looks depending upon the color the curtain creates when light shines in the room. For the bed, Get two throws, have fun with the design, get something you like regardless if you think it will match or not. Lastly, you can put the extra throws, pillows, blankets in bins under you bed. Cheers!

I would consider something light with some other colors to mix in like this. http://t.homedepot.com/p/Silestone-2-in-Quartz-Countertop-Sample-in-Mont-Blanc-SS-Q0220/203674451/ I like the wood paneling and would paint it a white with a warm feel to it. A white will reflect a lot of light from your large window. I wouldn't paint the window casing as it might tie in better with the rest of the house. Good luck!!

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

congrats! first, sand prime and paint out those cabinets....i'd go with a grayish shade of white or pale gray that will work with the flooring. i'd also carefuly chip off the yellow tiles. since on a budget, consider applying some beadboard as your backsplash, painted in a glossy, oil based or marine paint in a crisp white to keep it scrubbable, then, dress up the edges with some small mouldings, painted in the same white paint. this is going to be SO MUCH less costly than tile! and it will look great with the butcher block countertop. you can probably refresh the butcher block with a light sand and oiling. you could even get an additional piece of butcher block (ikea) and create a step-up 'bar' for some stools on the peninsula for some casual seating. then get a pair of pendant lights to hang from the pot lights above (they make lights that insert directly into the pot light...no hardwire necessary).