Thanks for your feedback. Hadn't thought of glass doors. That would look great, except we have furniture close enough that the doors wouldn't quite open fully, which may be ok, but we also plan on placing books we are currentlyer ading along with a nice basket for daily used toys. I think that would be a great consideration down the road though, and something we could add later. I will not make them the depth of the fireplace, and can't anyway due to windows/trim. They'll be about 13" I think, which is an inch back from the little stub wall on the right. For the top trim on the side bookshelves I was basically going to copy the fireplace trim but with just the two pieces visible, not three. justgotabme that's exactly what I'm thinking of, and good to confirm that it would still look appropriate even though I don't have windows above the bookshelves. What height do the bookshelves go up to for the best look/proportions? You can see the fireplace is basically a three-piece trim. We can do same height as the existing mantle, or just below that mantle shelf (below the top two pieces of trim), or below all three mantle trim pieces.

To answer questions, yes we gutted and opened up this home. We want our family room just inside the front door as it functions well for watching children playing outside. (Rather than a formal living room, but we want to create a NICE space) The dining room has the fireplace and is open to the kitchen, which has an amazing 10’ island with a bar height side with 4 seats and then a counter height end for food prep. We’re loving the kitchen tho still waiting on light fixtures and backsplash. The flow is working well for us but the furniture placement and how to highlight the fireplace and it’s area is the challenge! Thank you BTW we DO have another room that would serve as the formal dining room but we don’t have that need at this time and are using it as a lovely home/mom office and playroom, so toys stay in there and not all over the house.

Love your cabinet! I agree that the area looks just fine bare. You have nice molding nearby, and not a huge empty space. If you decide it needs more, I’d do something like this. Simple and balanced (with the art going just above the height of the door). I like how this has a layered look: I do have art around my TV for something interesting to look at when the TV is off (it’s a big wall, would look awful empty).

If this is really being a built- in and all new I would do drawers on the lower not cabinets. Can be one piece front with hidden drawers inside. Why haven't they given you a 3D rendering? Hope you are all on the same page for look and finish of cabinetry. I would only go to 10 at the max. Here is a photo/visual to help (not really your ceiling type but very talk shelving)... once you have all those shelves you need to fill them... it really depends on how much you want to display, have visual "stuff" on that wall. I'm assuming tv is on the left, are those the connections for wires? Also, to keep in mind the sides are not symmetrical, just for keeping display items balanced. The more shelving, the more visual "stuff" to deal with. Looks like a beautiful space, it will be lovely when finished! Congratulations on your new home! Good luck!