I was in the market this spring for two super comfortable chairs and ottoman for my deck. I didn't want to pay a lot of money, of course, but was willing to pay for comfort and I was not going to buy online w/o being able to sit on it! So I checked out BedBathBeyond, HD and Lowes. HD (only) had a set that was terrific. It is part of a Martha Stewart collection called Charlottetown. I bought it online so I could select from a wider selection of available fabrics. If they didn't have that set, I would have ended up at a furniture store paying lots more money for sure. Total was $477 for two chairs and 1 ottoman (no tax/free shipping). I went with a non-Sunbrella fabric choice to save $100 or so plus I liked that color the best of all the fabric choices. The set is faux wicker, which was fine for me. If I was doing much larger areas, that would be add up a lot and a lot of assembly!!! I also don't think you should get eating table & chairs to identically match seating sets. Seems like it might be too matchy-matchy, but it might depend on the particular style and your actual physical layout. I was in HD last week and the outdoor seating department was being taken apart :-( I also purchased 2 awesome cushion covers for rain. I love them. Easy to use and good pvc-lined fabric, really blocks rain and no mildew inside if left on extended periods. special ventilation. http://www.overstock.com/Home-Garden/Veranda-Patio-Lounge-Chair-Cover/8207328/product.html

"They" say its bad to mount a TV over a fireplace but sometimes its the best option. I think its only bad if you use the fireplace regularly and heat may be a problem. we rarely used ours so it was the best place in our small open concept home. the pluses were that it eliminated the glare factor from our windows, easier viewing from our recliners, we can watch from dining area and kitchen and can still watch if someone walks in front of it. (some reasons why hospital rooms have them mounted high). like all tv locations sitting too close doesn't give the best viewing and will give you a stiff neck. I think the TV consoles and stands for TVs in my youth were much worse because the were basically on the floor but it was the "normal" then. I remember laying on the floor to watch as a kid because you could see it better but hated when someone walked in front of it. times have changed and some people take a lot longer to adjust to the change. Rather than mounting it to the brick I would think about just beefing up the mantel. my husband made ours wide enough to use the TV stand and not mount it one the wall. hiding the wiring and associated equipment is the bigger problem. you need to have somewhere to put them beside the fireplace.

Your second graph-paper design layout is a winner! See what this design does for you: Gives you a clear, easy pathway to all the seating in the room. Placement of the two chairs gives clear visuals to both your bookcase and into the next room = open and comfortable! Placement of your sofa on the long wall creates a strong anchor for the seating group. My recommendations: (Please look at my planning-ideas photo below.) Keep all your furniture, which is very well chosen and attractive. Replacing your existing chairs is a waste of money and time, quite frankly I do not know of a more interesting, better choice than these two graceful, curvy chairs: They’ll look great when approaching from the back and the upholstery offers interesting accent colors. (These colors would be great to pick up in odd, colorful pieces on the bookcase and to carry throughout the room.) What I would add: THE ROOM LACKS A FOCAL POINT: Buy one very large, inexpensive canvas landscape. (Example: 40 x 40 “Silver Leaves Canvas Art Print” $39.99 https://www.kirklands.com/product/Art-Wall-Decor/Art/Canvas-Art/Silver-Leaves-Canvas-Art-Print/pc/2283/c/2293/sc/2673/244340.uts Give yourself a focal point and colors that you like that repeat colors on your two graceful chairs (Yes, your chairs are traditional and this landscape light, airy and a modern interpretation of a traditional design: But feel free to gracefully mix styles by repeating the colors and the “mood” to get what you want.) By the way, this particular landscape repeats the color of your coffee table. THE WINDOWS OFFER NO INTERESTING VIEW AND NO PRIVACY: $130 Buy good-looking plantation-style blinds for inside-mount in your three windows. (Example: White Cordless Faux Wood Blinds with 2 in. Slats $43 https://www.homedepot.com/p/Home-Decorators-Collection-White-Cordless-2-in-Faux-Wood-Blind-35-in-W-x-72-in-L-Actual-Size-34-5-in-W-x-72-in-L-10793478352425/300053220 This allows you to control the sunlight, the view, and your privacy. (Measure inside the window: at the top, middle, and bottom. Subtract ½” from the smallest measurement. Have the width of your blinds cut to this width, which is included in the price.) THE ROOM NEEDS A RUG TO ANCHOR THE CONVERSATIONAL GROUPING: @$200 Your rug appears to be an 8 x 10, which you may very well have good reason for choosing. However, I would ordinarily recommend a rug to encompass all the seating, so I would usually go with a 10 x 13. I always recommend polypropylene (or any such-like material) because this rug will take whatever you dish out: Wine, mustard, etc. If you put an inexpensive rug padding (bought at your local carpet store: That which is put under wall-to-wall), your rug will feel expensive, even luxurious. Examples: TRADITIONAL: Cape Cod Beige 10' 0 x 13' 0 Area Rug $175 https://www.homedepot.com/p/Unique-Loom-Espahan-Cape-Cod-Beige-10-0-x-13-0-Area-Rug-3137526/302716121 CONTEMPORARY: Jardin Ivy Multi 10' 0 x 13' 0 Area Rug $213 https://www.homedepot.com/p/Unique-Loom-Jardin-Ivy-Multi-10-0-x-13-0-Area-Rug-3126068/301076471 You could choose to accompany your rug with a traditional-patterned drape (example below) or a solid or striped color. THE ROOM IS “BOXY” AND LACKS SOFTNESS: $150 An easy fix is to add floor-to-ceiling-length, inexpensive DRAPERIES on each of the three windows. (You could mount these up and under your existing valances. You could also choose to add some subtle, decorative trim to your valances --- Example: a glued-on, simple braid of grey, an inch or so from the edge. You could try it --- if you don't like it, don't glue it!) Each drape should be drawn back: Two framing the sofa on the sofa-focal point wall (with the long side closest to the sofa, so the draping leads the eye toward the sofa) and one to frame the opposite window (long side away from the sofa) Example: Home Decorators Collection, Semi-Opaque Plazzo 96 in. L Cotton Drapery Panel in Sea Breeze, 100% cotton with a 3 in. rod pocket $52 https://www.homedepot.com/p/Home-Decorators-Collection-Semi-Opaque-Plazzo-96-in-L-Cotton-Drapery-Panel-in-Sea-Breeze-9833510810/300820929 You would also need three decorative tie-backs: $25 Montevilla 5/8 in. Facet Ball Holdback Pair in Vintage Bronze, Steel construction for durability and strength, Includes mounting hardware for easy installation $8 https://www.homedepot.com/p/Montevilla-5-8-in-Facet-Ball-Holdback-Pair-in-Vintage-Bronze-680656136454/204201047 CONTINUE TO REPEAT YOUR COLORS, TO CARRY THROUGH AND UNIFY YOUR DESIGN: Add a few toss pillows: Consider some “Faux Suede” solids (easy-care microfiber, great for naps!), then have fun with whatever interests you in smaller pillows (if that’s your cup of tea). Consider using wall paper behind the shelves on your book case: Inexpensive & interesting Add decorative items to carry out “your theme”: Look for whimsical, “fun” things. FINAL SUGGESTION: I’d keep that coffee table because it is a nice, generously-sized table. You could put on the table: A combination of interesting items to express family interests, what you like to do. Example: A couple of books, displayed against one another, perhaps along with something that goes with it (Handsome, travel books and a little globe). Add a circle shape to break up the table’s “squareness” Example: A big, round basket, used to contain interesting or useful things) or a tray (perhaps with matching coasters/napkins that are great to have at hand for sitting around in comfort). Soften up the look with “staging” to create a mood, a scene Example: Playing a game (such as Monopoly, etc.) = On the tabletop, put a board game or stack two or three. Use the shelf in the table for the four pillows that match your chairs: These pillows could convey the concept of easy relaxation, sitting around the table, playing a game. You have superb taste, so why not have fun with the lovely things you already have? For way less than a thousand dollars, you can take this beautiful room and make it spectacular! Enjoy yourself! Wishing you and yours safe and happy, Leslie Isbell

Unfortunately I now have more than enough time to get the room ready - I called Macy’s to get an update on the couch order ( was supposed to be delivered end of July ). And it was pushed out till September! And of course nobody thought to notify me... good thing I checked in. 😂