I'm looking for opinions.
I'm installing 3.5" x 3/4 hardwood flooring. I think I want to start on wall D and have to reverse direction when I get past the half wall to continue to the front door. I would continue forward from the half wall through the rest of the living room. The laundry room is tiled and won't be done. Do you think this is the best approach or should I start in the middle of the room?
What is the best way to snap a reference line since I can't accurately find the halfway point on wall A since there are cabinets on the kitchen wall B which makes it hard to measure.
Thanks for the input,
Scott

Whatever way you choose should work if you are careful and do it right.

Control lines are going to be critical to make certain that flooring will meet properly.

Watch where you reverse directions. Don't place splines in the middle of a high-traffic area if you can help it. I know someone that started in the middle of his kitchen, running a spline down the center of the kitchen and adjoining hall. You guessed it--the spline broke loose quickly and began to squeak; being that the squeak was right in the middle of the kitchen... Because he was able to access the floor from underneath, he could drive in screws that helped, but not completely.

More then likely you can start off on wall D without issue. You didn't post distance or wood species to give an idea of expansion and stability of the flooring your using. But if it's to scale seems the major expansion is under 20'.

If you start off wall D you can snap a control line about 5' out all the way across from wall A to wall C (or a bit farther out than that half wall reaches). Install your first row of flooring on wall D by the hearth. Then measure back to the tongue. Transfer that distance to your front door and snap a line and install your first row there. Continue installing your flooring in both areas towards your control line and have them meet on the other side of that 1/2 wall. No need for spline or reversing direction, the time it will take to snap that extra line and checking to make sure they are staying even from the control line will easily make up the time it would take to close up at the front door.

If by chance you are 1/8" or 1/4" off, just rip down one of the rows. To the n@ked (way does the board censor n@ked? and places "clothed" in it's place???) eye no one could tell you have a 3 3/8" row mixed in with your 3 1/2" flooring (and that's just if you do get off just a bit). But in a small area like that it's pretty tough if you just use your tape and keep checking the first 3-4 rows.

Thanks for all the info. I'm using pre-finished oak boards if that makes any difference. The room is about 20 x 25 (drawing is not to scale)
One other question. Should I cut off the tongues where the boards met the wall? I'm planning on leaving a 1/2 to 3/4 gap(not sure which yet).
Thanks,
Scott

With using pre-finish you won't be able to rip a row to make any adjustments if you start in the foyer and fireplace wall and meet at the end of the 1/2 high wall. It's still very doable, just have to make sure both sides are even all the way up.

As for cutting off the tongues, they don't have to be cut off when closing up if you have the room. Most the time they get cut off cause the contractor is using 3/8" base with no shoe so we need to be 1/4" or less from the sheet rock.

Sounds like you know what your doing. Spline it at the ½ wall like you said. When Installing the spline, glue it in and fasten that side just like the other side, driving fasteners through the spline. When doing it, engage a small scrap with the groove side, right next to your nailer so it doesn't bend down the spline, making it a pain to get the next row in.