I think starting with a lighter color palette for the living room would open up the space nicely. We used a warm ivory on the walls and a bright white for the trim and it made the room feel much larger than before. For the floors a medium tone engineered hardwood gives good durability without showing every speck of dust. You might consider adding crown molding as well since it adds a finished look without a major investment. The lighting fixtures can change the whole feel of the room so swapping out an old ceiling fan for a modern flush mount with a dimmer switch would give you more control over the ambiance. Area rugs can define the seating arrangement and add warmth underfoot. I would recommend measuring everything twice before ordering furniture to make sure the proportions work. Taking photos of the space from different angles helps visualize how things will look once everything is in place. Let me know if you need help picking paint samples or arranging the layout.

We could take the northern route through the mountains if the weather looks clear. I checked the forecast and it seems like conditions will be good for driving next weekend. There are several scenic overlooks along the way where we could stop for photos. The drive takes about five hours without stops but we should budget for seven with breaks and meals. I know a good diner about halfway that serves generous portions. If we leave by seven in the morning we would arrive with plenty of daylight to spare. Let me know if you want to adjust the timing or if there are specific places you want to visit along the way. I can also look into booking a table at that restaurant you mentioned. We should bring layers since the temperature drops in the higher elevations. The views from the ridge are supposed to be spectacular this time of year.