We are putting swivel chairs on that side so you can easily watch tv/fire or turn and look at the water. Think we'll look for a console for tv. We don't want it up on the stone and not sure about hanging it on the wall. My husband has a lot of audio components to store below tv.

Really nice house. You could remove (but not discard) the existing mantel and live a while without, taking the time to consider all your fireplace options, including a more bulky but less wide mantel that is a part of a fireplace surround. (The current mantel could be reused as support for shelving or a new mantel.) Would not paint or widen the existing built ins Would not paint the wood around the cased door opening to the entry unless you do decide to put white (or wall colored) built ins on that wall incorporating the tv behind where the floor lamp now stands (third pic). If you do keep the built ins beside the fireplace their current wood look, then definitely leave the baseboard the treated wood to match the built ins. If you paint the current built ins white, then paint the window trim white, too; however, otherwise, if the current built ins are going to stay wood as is, you could decide to paint the window trim white only if you're not going to add drapes that would cover most of the window frame anyway. Would definitely paint the trim at the top of the wall the wall color since ceiling white could visually shrink the height of the room. As you consider wall colors, in addition to considering blue or gray, you might consider a wall color that is a tan (but without pink or yellow hue) such as the lightest color in the stone in the fireplace -- and keep the ceiling white. If you paint the new built-ins surrounding the tv either white or a light wall color, you should seriously consider updating the ceiling fan with one that is silver metal and tinted semi-clear plastic/vinyl blades. As to the front porch, does any part of the floor of the existing stoop extend beyond the front wall of the house or do the steps start as you walk out the door (as the sloped rails suggest)? Something you might consider is building a treated lumber deck over the steps from the front wall of the house to the sidewalk from a point midway between the door to the right front corner of the house, with wooden steps leading from the side of that deck to the sidewalk and having it built with posts extending above the deck for the railing and to build to in order to add a porch roof later.

Agree the entire thing feels heavy and massive for the look you want. I think the best thing for you to consider, is a skilled interior designer in your area. A clear idea of what you want in a feel for the house. Do some very significant research on both, knowing that a good designer will have the trades necessary at her finger tips. A "community" of ideas here, can get you thinking to be sure, but in the end, you will benefit greatly from a one on one situation.. Consider every aspect, such as do you even want the bar area, or do you need something else? Even dedicated wine storage or something? Your best plan, is a PLAN with one on one help. Take your time, and do your homework. Start with that "inspiration" idea book. And the PRO on site. To design and decorate in haste, is to REPENT at leisure : ) Do it once to love it.

I'm having the same issue. I want to add some built-ins around the fireplace in the house we just bought, but the fireplace is almost flush to the wall, and it is stone all the way to the ceiling, like yours. I found some pictures showing it can be done and look good. I think it helps if you can somehow tie the mantel into the built-ins. I'm thinking of putting wood facing around the top half of the fireplace and matching it to the built-ins.