Kitchen expansion shelving

I got my kitchen set up today! I guess it's quite a bit bigger than I thought with all the floor space not full of boxes! I will strive to keep space in the cabinets, because I really don't need that many more kitchen things.

I've been trying to figure out how to merge the kitchen with the adjoining room (across the stairwell, so there's no chance of physical expansion). One idea is a long shelf, about the height of the fire place mantle, stretching from the living room side of the wall through to the kitchen. Place cute kitchen items, booze collection, etc, on shelf.

 http://interiorgallerydesign.com/kitchen/open-shelves-modular-kitchen-interior-furniture

http://vi.sualize.us/view/ryegirl/b53b324830ed50416473180ccc18fcd6/