I would keep the basic arrangement you have now with the TV on the long wall and the sofa opposite. Depending on how many people watch TV in here, I'd put two chairs flanking the TV console to form a conversation group with the sofa.

I think the fireplace wall adds character to the room. I wouldn't demolish any of it. You could whitewash it and maybe fill the shelves with more interesting and varied stuff.

Send the torchiere lamp to live with a starving student in the dorm and get a real floor lamp for the space.

I wish I had a better suggestion for those heavily textured walls. I'd probably just repaint with a really flat lighter color and leave them be. I definitely wouldn't do shiplap. If you feel wealthy or know a good drywaller, you could probably have them skim coated smooth.

The heavily texture walls could get a nice fine plaster finish, that leave it smooth. I personally apply one that looks and feel like silk, that provides a modern look and give livened light to the room. There are some metallic ones too. There are others that would cover the texture and look like a stone and have a smooth finish like "Marmorino plaster" applied in a light color. It would enhance the brick wall, and give it a super chic atmosphere and from the distance complement the kitchen in white. Kind of unifying the space.

I whitewashed your brick, painted your fire surround with high heat black paint, installed a new thicker mantel in walnut (though you might want to go more rustic here), filled the cubby with firewood, and started collecting white porcelain for the shelves (because it will show up against the dark background). I also painted your walls a light neutral and removed the chair so the fireplace can be seen.

A sectional along the window wall and facing the fireplace OR two swivel chairs in front of the fireplace that can be turned to either enjoy the fireplace or to face the tv (obviously, there would also be a sofa on the window wall, tv on the solid wall).

Love the idea of remove the brick and shelves on sides of fireplace..depending on the style you are going with..if farmhouse modern....whitewash it...if modern contemporary paint it solid white...shiplap would look great..you have some great ideas go with your gut..could you reconfigure the wood shelves seperating this room from kitchen so that your tv could be built in the cabinet...than you could do sofa one the large wall and two chairs in front of window.

Thank you - every one of you - for the ideas! I’m just overwhelmed with the possibilities (first world problems, I know). Hubby is very handy, as is his family. He hates the textured walls, and wants to either hide them (ship lap or board and batton) and/or skim coat them himself. I do love me some shiplap, but I’m concerned that it will be too much. The fireplace - I would say more farmhouse modern. I can always paint it solid. I do not like the brick on the sides. We were going to take out all the brick with the exception of the center. Yes? No? Bad idea?

Okay - I should also mention that this is a tall room. 12-foot ceiling. I also really REALLY want to do a white tongue and groove paneling on the ceiling. We plan to have recessed lighting put into the room. So, the only TWO things I know for sure that I want are the paneled ceiling and the recessed lighting.

The TV on the built in cabinet... hmmmm.... That could work.

Husband has three must haves: 1. textured walls must go. 2. must have seating FACING the TV 3. Must keep the large TV. I mean, he’s been a pretty good guy for the last 26 years, so I guess I can give him those three things. ;)

If you build the tv into that bookcase between the kitchen and family room..you could flank fireplace with comfy chairs facing TV and add a sofa along the wall..would look beautiful looking in from kitchen...I agree remove brick on both sides of fireplace...panel the ceiling and the walls..it will flow nice from your white kitchen..add warmth with fabrics and wood tables...I think it could really be a knock out room! with a 12 foot ceiling you could add a modern farmhouse chandelier it would look fabulous still add some recessed lighting that is a must.

Inspiration...

Modifying the bookcase to hold the TV is a great idea. Then you won't get as much glare on the screen and you can put the sofa facing the window. Chairs flanking the fireplace will be close enough to enjoy it, can see the TV and still form a conversation area.

If Hubby can skimcoat the walls himself, I say go for it. (It'll be a big job, though.)

You could even put it on an articulating arm to swing out for viewing and push back out of the way when you're done.

Okay. I really like the idea of the TV going on the wall opposite of the fireplace. I don’t like seeing it from the kitchen - and I don’t want it to be the focal point of the room. We will be taking out at built in - so we could create a new built in that accommodates the TV and the components! Do y’all think I can fit two chairs with small ottomans on either side of the fireplace? Or too much? Love the inspirational photos! LOVE these ideas! LOVE! And the farmhouse chandelier with some recessed lighting - AH-MAZE-ING! You two are amazing!

What is the width of the middle part of fireplace you are keeping?

Width of wall on each side of fireplace...once brick is removed?

With 12’ width of room two chairs should fit perfect....and you have plenty of length in the room with 20’

Each side is 40 inches. We were thinking of taking out the brick pillars on either side of the fireplace. If I put in different shelving (maybe not all the way up?), the shelving will stick out further then the fireplace. So, perhaps the brick pillars stay? Also, unfortunately, we can’t do windows on both sides of fireplace (something I wanted), because of the exterior of the house.

You could also continue that short bookcase to the ceiling..I see you have a small desk and computer on the other side in the kitchen...than your hubby could build a small work station in the kitchen and the computer screen would not show into the family room..

I think you could use glider rockers. They are smaller, super comfy, and come in many styles/fabrics.

Funny you bring that up! Originally, we were going to take it out completely and open up the entrance to the family room. But earlier this morning as I was contemplating it, I thought about how the boys (we have 4 boys) and hubby LOVE watching their action movies on high volume. SO. LOUD. So doing something like you suggest would buffer the sound considerably. But nowadays, everything is all about being open concept. Another idea we had originally was to make that wall of bookcases a small workstation - that’s why I didn’t think about putting the TV there. But I like you idea much better.

I would not add any shelving on each side of fireplace...it is the perfect opportunity to add some great art and get rid of clutter...it will make the room feel wider too! With all white shiplap and that big window the room will be much brighter..we all love open concept but in your case with step down family room and the need for tv storage and possible work computer desk in kitchen you need that wall!

Ahhhh! OOOOhhhhh! I see! But... what if I really didn’t need a work/computer desk in my kitchen? The reason we had it was when the boys were younger and didn’t have their own computers, it gave us a chance to keep an eye on how they were using the computer. Now, we all have our own laptops. The only person who uses it is my husband. And he has taken over my dining room table with his work computer and files (which is an entirely different discussion).

following

I agree to get rid of the brick on the side. Here a picture of someone who did shiplap above with a barnwood mantel. It would look good with your brick on the bottom portion as well.

I know this is REALLY late, but I'm finally getting around to posting the updates...

Wow it looks amazing great job..so clean and crisp with white wall panels…super cute!!

Great changes! Love it!

Looks lovely! Maybe adding wall sconces on either side of the tv would add depth and more visual interest to the wall. here are some great options:

https://www.douniahome.com/products/riad-wall-sconce

https://www.douniahome.com/products/moja-wall-sconce

What a wonderful before & after! you must be so happy!

What an inspiration…I love it!