This is what gets me. If they were forced to have load bearing pillars there, I could at least try to understand making use of the space. What is even the point of these walls?!
Everyone is so god damn obsessed with “open concept” that they try to wedge it in to places it makes no sense. When we were looking at houses, this kind of thing was everywhere. There probably used to be an enclosed rather small kitchen and then they tore down the walls and there’s no where for the fridge. So the kitchen is now invading the living room so there’s no where for furniture to really fit and the openness is broken up by this dumb enclosure which ruins the openness anyway. And it probably sold for over the asking price.
Usually it’s a flipper which generally means they have no taste, glob on to Pinterest trends, and do everything as cheaply and janky as possible.
Sounds like my house. The previous owner did all of the decorating, and she was not talented. I've only recently bought the house so I keep wondering around and looking at bits and going, why the hell did you do that.
It gets worse, what's going on with the door in the background? It looks like the wall goes to the same level as the 'nook' and the ceiling light is in the room beyond it.
Like there was some kind of mezzanine floor that got hamfistedly removed.
I bet the door is to a pantry. They don't need vaulted ceilings, so it's better used as space for potted plants and the fine/display china. I've seen a lot of plant ledges and alcoves in newer houses. They can make the spaces appear much larger than they actually are.
ETA: the fridge enclosure is weird though. They could have just matched the bar height and put in 12-18 inch counters to make it functional