Built in bench for the sun room
One way to open up a contemporary floor plan is to add a sunroom with full window walls. In this photo, you can see the white built-in storage benches, which double as window seats / bench seating under the window.
Just out of sight is a granite counter top breakfast bar with arched opening view into the kitchen.
See the floor plan and more photos of this North Carolina custom home here: http://www.stantonhomes.com/Treehouse.aspx
Something like this with some tweaking like built ins, wood burning stove, and a bench/daybed.