Thanks for the great points. I had planned on a deeper storage area on the bottom for electronics which are 13" and 15". The depth to the window molding is 15" so I would have to do a step-out to get the depth for the components. Don't know how that would look - because, obviously, LOL, I'm no designer. I hope I find one :-) The tip about the height is great - helps a lot. Panel isn't out of the question, especially if it looks better that way. Incorporating a new mantel isn't out of the question either. The ceiling is 12' so I wouldn't want it that tall. I'm just about ready to forget about it and just get something smaller for the TV, build bookshelves on another wall and move on to something else.

I'd suggest looking at houzz.com. You'll find lots of inspirational photos there...search on built ins in living rooms.

To answer questions, yes we gutted and opened up this home. We want our family room just inside the front door as it functions well for watching children playing outside. (Rather than a formal living room, but we want to create a NICE space) The dining room has the fireplace and is open to the kitchen, which has an amazing 10’ island with a bar height side with 4 seats and then a counter height end for food prep. We’re loving the kitchen tho still waiting on light fixtures and backsplash. The flow is working well for us but the furniture placement and how to highlight the fireplace and it’s area is the challenge! Thank you BTW we DO have another room that would serve as the formal dining room but we don’t have that need at this time and are using it as a lovely home/mom office and playroom, so toys stay in there and not all over the house.

The photo you are showing is not a flush fireplace like you have. The shelving would most likely be 12 inches deep, so would stick out next to your fireplace. Quite honestly, I would not do it,although, I think if you put built ins on both sides, you might be able to make it look decent. My fireplace has a built in on the left and none on the right. To make it look balanced, I have a free standing cabinet on the opposite side, because, it just looks weird to have a built in on one side.