Hi again all, and thanks for so many thoughtful comments. The drink issue is definitely something to consider, and I've got it covered pretty well except for the instance (rare) where a third person sits in the middle of the couch. I'd just have to hope that the tray would hold that drink ok, or that they would just hold on to it. The surface of the ottoman is actually pretty level, so the tray would actually do the job, I think, unless there was an unusual amount of activity going on. Otherwise I have side tables for all of the other seating. If I didn't have room for those, I'd probably reconsider the ottoman altogether. Debbimc, thank you for noticing the rug. It is an old Karastan I got on ebay several years back, and I do love it. The pattern is called Hunting Scene, I think, and it still shows up on ebay from time to time. I am such a fan of Karastan rugs; they are beautiful and wear like iron. This process has been great for me. I love my coffee table, but I was in PB a couple of weeks ago, saw it on the floor, and just had to try it. (30 day return policy helps) Now the mood in the room is more relaxed and, well, inviting. Along with how the space looks, a room should be about how you FEEL when you are in it, and somehow, that ottoman seems to make people feel good. That being said, I'm sure five big barcaloungers would make us feel good, but we also want things to look nice and have visual interest, so therein lies the search for the room that can do both. That's why this forum is so helpful, and fun.

I would prefer the smooth leather top for ease of care, although I like the "clubby" look of the tufted one. Tufted ottomans that are actually used (for feet and dogs in our house) get so much dust and stuff in the depressions around the buttons, they are difficult to clean. In decades of having houses looked after by two different housekeepers, their ONLY complaint was that tufted ottoman. We replaced it. I don't especially care for the combination of leather and zebra print. Either is great on its own, though.

Love the Kilim style! Perhaps keep watch on your local Craigslist for a good price on a coffee table that is the right size/shape and has nice legs and convert it to an ottoman. Cheap table...nice fabric :). I am sitting here looking at my ugly orange oak coffee table, almost the size of a small dining table, and imagining turning it into a beautiful ottoman. But, I have no skills! When I mention getting a new table, my now sixteen year old GD says “You can’t get rid of that table. What is C (the 4 year old GD) going to play board games and Old Maid and Checkers on with Papaw?”

First thing I might do is to have sofas facing and the two chairs looking at t v. That will give you an option of one table between two chairs. For the coffee table, placed perpendicular to the fireplace, an upholstered bench with a tray. As for the fireplace/tv wall, because the tv is bigger than the fireplace, I would either make a fireplace surround for balance, or paint that wall black.