Nice and big! My suggestion is, when you go to paint the built ins, first design a custom carved out space for your TV.

How old is your son? For little kids, I love a sectional because they encourage cuddling.

Thanks @auntthelma! I actually think we'll place the TV on the left side wall as I think it'd be really high above the fireplace. My son is just one so looking for soft and comfy items (hence, a round ottoman instead of a glass coffee table). And I agree, I would love a sectional in this room as I can see lots of friends/family hanging out here over the living room.

I would put the tv on a console on the wall where the door is. Make an L shape with the current furniture, facing the tv and FP. Put a comfy chair on either side of FP in front of built-ins.

When you paint the built ins, paint the trim as well at the ceiling.

I would definitely consider removing the top triangular pieces of the bookshelves. They're useless as storage and they don't enhance the look in any way. If you leave them, you will need to put something on them, and I'm not sure what that could be.

I agree, the top shelves are awkward and I'm keen on removing them! I'm also going to see if our contractor could square off the tops of the arches.

Yes, to all the painting! Wait on the windows - furniture first and curtains later.

I hate sectionals, so I'm prejudiced. Leather is a good choice ONLY if one buys super high-grade leather, which most people cannot afford. Most leather today is bonded leather - it's not even all leather! The words to look for are "natural/full/pure aniline leather. You will rarely find it and in a sectional, you are talking the sun and the moon. No other leather truly stands up to wear and will last a long time.

I would do three sofas in this room, or two sofas and two club chairs. Buy from a company that allows choices of fabric and COM if possible. Use any of the Sunbrella or other fabrics that are made today that resist stains and fading.

You have a one year old so now is the time to start training this darling! NO FOOD OR DRINKS OUTSIDE THE KITCHEN! It will make a huge difference in how this room wears. And that includes hubby, too - no pizza and beer on these sofas, or at least not when your little one is around (monkey see, monkey do).

I would choose a sturdy material over leather, with perhaps the kind of pattern that will make stain residues less visible (in case they don't come out completely). All the changes you mention are perfect, also taking out the triangular shelves. The carpet looks new (although it doesn't match the paint but that won't be a problem for you), but I would suggest a large area rug in the sitting area to give a cozier look in this large space and to add some color. An Oriental or tribal rug would be fabulous, and then you'll have lots of colors to pull from it for pillows, art, accessories etc.

Have you considered changing the carpet to hardwood?

You have a wonderful space with which to work. You guys are going to make wonderful memories in your new home!

If it were my home I think I might paint the walls and ceiling the same color. If so, I would paint the crown the same color as the walls.

Yes, I agree with Anglo..... the true leather sofa we had has now been delegated to my sons teenage hangout room- getting even more abuse than when he was a kid!! And will go with him to his first apt. Good leather gets so much better with age. Besides the fact that it would be expensive in a sectional, I don't think it really suits your room.

Definitely remove the triangle on the left and the upper part on the right of the built-ins. And eliminate the arches!

I have an amazing chocolate leather sectional in our great room. The room is "Family Central", gets tons of traffic and activity and has survived three kids and a puppy. The best thing I ever did about 2 years ago was have a counter height sofa table made to fit the back length of the sofa. It's the perfect spot for the kids to sit, stadium-style (facing the TV) for when they have snacks or the occasional meal with a friend in front of TV, without the risk of things spilling. I highly recommend it for your space! As much as we'd all like to think that there will be no food or drinks in the main family hangout room, it's not reality, at least for my family's lifestyle.

If WARM and COZY are your target--I don't see the logic in white washing all the warm wood and brick. It is a beautiful wall. It would be a tragedy to make it less than what it was created to be. The very top shelves are curious. The casements look fabulous all the way to the ceiling..but they really aren't practical unless you wanted to add a library ladder. That might modernize the place. They were all the rage not that long ago. Just taking out the shelves would make those disappear and look fine "empty". The shelves scream I AM EMPTY, but filling them would make me think of the DUST accumulating. Congratulations on your new home!!

thanks everyone! @arcy_gw -Thanks! To clarify, I think even with adding in white and brightness, a room can still appear warm and cozy with the right furniture and decor (like a comfy sofa and chunky knit throw etc). I feel like with all the wood right now, it's a bit dark in the room.

Pottery Barn has sofas with indoor-outdoor Sunbrella fabric,

https://www.potterybarn.com/shop/new/sunbrella-feature

I second those who've suggested starting good habits while kids are young -- teach them from the start how to treat furniture and the family belongings properly. And this is the time to start with rules like "no food or drinks in the living/family room"; and yes, it's perfectly fair to have one rule for the adults and another for the kids. Or you can limit what kind of food and drinks to allow kids -- when mine were young, it was water or apple juice only for them in the living room, no milk or grape/orange juice.

Also, they grow fast : ) , so you don't really have to decorate around them too much (round ottomans vs. wood rectangular coffee table). I'd decorate for the room and with what you like. Buy quality the first time around.

The arched fronts might be fairly easily removable. And I'd almost be tempted to have the builder drywall over the shelving above the arches.

Whatever you choose to do with your cabinetry finish, I would have the left side fit to accommodate your TV and components. Then you don't have to have another piece of furniture in the room for the television, and it would make good use of the space. This room has so much potential! I hope you show us the room when it is finished.