Living in the Golden State:

Empty Dining Room

This is from the top of the stairs, looking at the dining area, or what would later be the dining area. Through the sliders, you can see the patio. That was a point in favor, kind of an extension of the dining room to the great outdoors, but not too much so. More on the patio later. You may be able to see a big brass hanging light fixture in front of the sliders. We've since replaced that monster.