Paint: I would wait on selecting a color until you have your furniture and accessories chosen. The present color (in picture anyway) feels washed out and a creamy white would be more modern and crisp. - Built in‘s/tv location: with the width on both sides of fireplace being different, you’ll have to configure bookcases accordingly, if going that route. Suggest holding off on making a mantle change until you figure out wall - try to envision whole wall in your decisions Really like look below - Seating layout: really like your inspiration picture and as per the layout, centre to fireplace. If space in front of window feels bare, you could add the console table there vs behind couch as you enter

What a spectacular house and setting! No, I wouldn’t paint the cedar shakes. The natural look is perfect with this color scheme.

Update on the day: The living room is so clean. The floor looks fantastic, the furniture is polished, fabrics are washed, cords are corralled. I’m even up to date on the Murdaugh trial, having listened to the Netflix doc at the same time. The poor kitty ventured out once the vacuuming stopped. I haven’t done much in there ever since DH moved his office home…noise, bustle, commentary, meals, etc. But now it looks so good, the dining room next door to it wants a spa day, too! For now, I’m going to collapse in a clean chair with a glass of wine and watch something entertaining.

At our old house, our stove died and for YEARS, I cooked with a 2 burner hot plate and a toaster oven. We did not replace the stove until we moved into our new house, do not know why. I guess I just made it work. Now, I always have backups to cook. In addition to the pink air fryer and toaster oven, I have an electric skillet and electric griddle (both in a beautiful shade of pink, to match everything else) just in case the stove dies and I cant replace it right away, or more likely, delivery is delayed as is was for the fridge. They are both still in the box. But I like having them, just in case. I find takeout less and less desirable now, and do not remember the last time I went through a drive through. I just feel so much better eating home made food, I cannot imagine going for a week or more eating nothing but takeout. And SO will almost NEVER eat food that is not homemade. He thinks everyone that is not me is "nasty" about cleanliness and food prep and hygiene. He's gotten worse over the years. I have a glass top stove and like it fine. Its easier to clean. I can very quickly adapt to any heat source for cooking though. My parents and sister have gas stoves, which are easy to cook on, I have an electric glass top, which took a bit of adjustment because I had to learn that the burners STAY HOT for a long time after you turn them off and you have to factor that in. Same with my stove at work, which is electric with the coils, with I find fiddly to clean and wouldn't choose that for my home. If I ever have to replace the one at home, I would get another glass top. As for my day, it's just getting started. Work work work. I MUST remember to stop by the store on my way to work tomorrow night and get the last ingredients I need to cook the finger food feast for my sister and our own Christmas feast. I need chicken and a baguette. I do NOT want to have to go to the store on Christmas Eve, after working all night, in the middle of a cooking binge. So I hope that I haven't forgotten anything. For tonight though, I am going to settle in, pick which Christmas movie to put on the projector for decoration for everyone to enjoy (either Elf or Christmas Vacation, cant decide) I play it on repeat all night, and hope I have a slow, uneventful night.