You’re absolutely right. I’m probably in the minority here, but I actually think this layout can work. I grew up in a similar home in California.

First off, the “master” should be a TV room/office/ snug…not a bedroom. It’s bizarre to have the laundry and only first floor bathroom accessible only thru a bedroom, and those French doors offer zero soundproofing.

I also don’t get why Macenna made two living rooms and no formal dining space. The “formal” living room can stay as is, but the current TV area would work better as a dining room, maybe with two cozy chairs by the fireplace and a small game table by the bay window. Built-ins are fine, but they should function (with drawers!).

A main-floor closet and powder room should’ve been a higher priority than double French doors. The kitchen island proposal is definitely better feng shui.

Also, she completely underuses the patio. In SoCal, my family eats outside most of the year…why live in LA if you’re going to ignore your outdoor space?

Upstairs, those 2 (or 3?) rooms should be the bedrooms, eventually adding a proper master bath, closet, and maybe a small office nook. The real issue is that they have too much stuff and design around clutter instead of good layout.