Yes, the fireplace/TV dilemma. I'm one who prefers the TV not be mounted above the fireplace. I think it's too high for viewing, and aesthetically, it's also not always pleasing.

Since the fireplace appears to be centered on the wall, and the adjacent wall is windowed, if you want to avoid having the TV over the fireplace, I think the next best option in your room would be to find a cabinet or shelving that could hold the TV and place it next to the fireplace. It looks like you have space for it. Then, as far as furniture placement, treat the fireplace and cabinet as one unit. The more it can blend with its surroundings, the better. I've seen where cabinets are actually built into the fireplace stone for this reason. I'm posting a link so you can see what I'm talking about.

Here is a link that might be useful: Fireplace/TV Dilemma

Another vote for a thin cabinet that could hold the TV and the components and the darn wires OR perhaps consider a cabinet that can raise the TV up for viewing -- and hide it when not in use.

And yes -- another vote for installing it on the right-hand side of the fireplace.

And then add thin custom shelving (with a cabinet on the lower part) on the left-hand side to add visual balance AND great storage options to the room. Maybe add lights to shine down on both sides?

Lovely floors!

I too do not like the tv above the fireplace, so I would have the tv wired to the right of the fireplace. Yes, you may get some glare depending on your choice of window treatments, but that's always proved tolerable when we've had tvs near windows/doors. I'd flank each side of the fireplace with stand-alone cabinetry and have a wow! painting above the one to the left visible from the foyer and the tv either mounted on a rotating bracket above the one to the right or placed on top of the cabinet, but I'm ok with looking at a flatscreen as a functional item. If you prefer to hide your tv, then you could opt for complementary armoire to house the tv and a tall secretary, curio cabinet or bookcase to the left, get a cabinet that raises and lowers the tv, or even consider camouflaging art to hide the fact that you have a tv.

As far as seating, I like the staged configuration well enough minus the corner chair. Depending on your family size or entertaining style, I might add two chairs flanking the left side so you can seat eight comfortably. Larger gatherings can be accommodated with chairs pulled from the DR if necessary. Enjoy your new home.

How about an armoire in the corner where the grey chair is now? There should be some meant to be in a corner.

Thank you all for your input! I too, tend to hate the over the fireplace look. Initially, we thought about the Right corner, as you all unanimously suggested and planned on a TV lift cabinet. Then the idea of two facing couches running perpendicular to the fireplace was raised, with the TV on the opposite wall. But that seems uncomfortable since you would turn your head to see the TV. We have since thought about Diagonal couches, over the fire place in a frame, projection TV's, you name it. My head is spinning! Since you are all unanimous, I think I have to follow your advice!
Thanks!

I would do the TV in the right corner, in an angled cabinet. Couches, one to the of the fireplace facing the window, and one at a right angle to that, facing the fireplace, with walking space behind it.

A wonderful chaise or upholstered bench under the window, with a floor lamp to the right side of the window for light, and to balance some of the height of the tv cabinet on the left side.

I absolutely am in LOVE with that apartment from the architecture to the flooring to the high ceiling.

@Les917 - Thanks for the complement, I fell in love with that space the moment we saw it. Are you on the LES? Shout out to a fellow NYer.
Question about the layout suggestion - do you think it would feel strange or closed to walk into the room and see the back of the couch? In this case, if I put a couch to the left of the fireplace, you would see its back from the dining room and the foyer. Thoughts? Does not seem Feng Shui, but would certainly be comfortable for our needs!

What a gorgeous room you have there.
I like Les's suggestion.
I do not think it would look strange and think you might be able to put a sofa table behind the couch, I also think that a chair could go in the corner to the right of DR doors.
Alot depends on what your furniture is like in sizes.

There really are only two choices. Is is true that over the FPL is not a perfect viewing angle. If that is really important, the TV has to go in the corner. If you are going to stay modern, i would not hide it at all, just get a really pretty one. We had a ultra thin sony with a clear glass frame around it I really liked.

What I dont like about that is the lack of symmetry, and I also dont like TV in living rooms per se. So I would instead chose the mirror TVs. A friend of ours had one and I never watched TV on it but it sure looked great as a mirror, albeit a tad thick. You can distract from that with mantle decor. I do not know if the Tv watching experience is compromised, ive only used those tvs in hotel bathroom vanities (where they were fine)

Here is a link that might be useful: mirror tvs

I wish I had seen this pic before painting my living room! I'm in love! And that rug is just fantastic! I agree with the other suggestions but either way, what a room!

Wow, what a gorgeous NYC apartment! What are you renovating? Looks perfect to me! :-)

I would not do a corner armoire. I just don't think it will live up to the wonderful architecture in the room. I would do built ins, probably on both sides of the fireplace. Put doors on TV section or not, depending on whether you mind seeing the TV or not.

I think all that wonderful architecture needs a really nice built in to match it and look intentional.

Thanks Jillinnj - we are renovating the kitchen, 2.5 baths, all new electric throughout, putting through the wall A/C's (to replace window units) and all new plumbing. Also, hard to tell but the moldings have been painted so many times they have drips everywhere, so we are getting them sanded and the walls sanded too, so we can paint them nicely. Its a lot actually! I am totally overwhelmed by all the decisions and choices. Need to tell the electrician tomorrow about TV placement so he can wire appropriately!

Thanks everyone for your advice.

The back of my couch faces the door as you enter our house. Since I have a sofa table with decorative items behind it, it's never bothered me to have it there. Gorgeous apartment. What fun!

Rachel - here we meet again :)

We're actually struggling with this same issue now. I don't know how serious you were but I did note a question of whether you even wanted a TV. We haven't watched TV for over 2 years and only a handful of movies. I hated the idea of having my livingroom centered around something that was not only unsightly, but also rarely used.

The current arrangment we have, which I think would look wonderful in your livingroom, is we have 2 loveseats at a diagonal to the fireplace and have the sofa where yours is now. In your case though, I would pull the sofa out and create what in essence would serve as a sofa table/pop up TV unit. You can still keep the picture you have above the sofa and the TV would rise out when "needed".

Visitors have often commented on how they love the arrangment (without my saying a word). It's so easy to converse with everyone who is in the room. At least four people (more depending on any additional seeting) could comfortably watch TV.

Your home is BEAUTIFUL!!!

What a gorgeous place. Since you mentioned you are having all new electrical, I'd think about having wiring for TV put in a couple of different places, just so you are not always limited to one furniture arrangement. If you are having built-ins built for the tv, then maybe there won't ever be rearranging, but once in a while I like to move things around. I think in that room I might like to tuck the tv in the space to the right of the windows in the area of the ficus, especially if I want seating flanking the fireplace at some point.

Great point Olychick, I thought about that spot too. Will ask him!

I agree with the comments above, your place is beautiful! TVs are always a an issue and are hard to incorporate into clean design sometimes. I thought these articles might help you out a bit. Best of luck!
https://www.houzz.com/magazine/tech-in-design-where-to-put-your-flat-screen-tv-stsetivw-vs~733378-Premiere-Season--Where-to-Put-Your-TV

Here is a link that might be useful: [Where to put the TV[(https://www.houzz.com/magazine/design-dilemma-where-to-put-the-flat-screen-tv-stsetivw-vs~185304)

Our TV is in a niche - over the FP - but it can be done anywhere. It's tilted, so the niche is about 6" deep. I had sliding panels custom made to cover when not using. (Two go to the left, one to the right.) They stay closed all day, as I do not turn on the TV (DH does). I used copper panels, but anything could be used. Originally, I was looking for a wallpaper to do a folding screen, but never found "the one." Then the sliding panels came to me one night when I couldn't sleep. We have a lot of copper inside and out, so it makes sense. You could make the panel slide sideways, up or down. Could be wallpaper, fabric, metal, photograph, artwork, etc.

For perspective, the FP mantel is 6ft tall. I'm 5'8" and can reach the bottom of the panels to close. They are on drawer glides, so very easy to open/close (with one finger).

Here is a link that might be useful: great room

Sort of off topic, but not. Someone emailed me via GW asking about my rug. I replied but it was in my ougoing on phone and i deleted by accident. Searched what I thought was her moniker but no GW matches....

Thank you. I purchased it at a locally owned rug store four years ago. There is no tag and maker not on ticket - that way no one can shop internet. It is a Soumak, in case you didn't know that already.

Wow...that's a lovely room! I am with jillinnj...I really think you should do built-in cabinets flanking the fireplace. If you do paint grade wood to match your trim and moldings....it may not be too crazy expensive, and you will just love having the shelving and storage. Plus...it would hold its own with the beautiful architecture in the room AND you can close the cabinet over the TV so you don't have to see it if you aren't watching it!