I'd do: -a sideboard between two windows. Craigslist is an amazing idea as is Danish modern..problem is won't be for a song anymore since the sellers picked up it's hot (and nobody knows that I -well and probably some other people LOL- understood it 7 years earlier when all the vintage from these decades started naturally appearing in second hand stores and estate sales as the owners grew older and older and had to part with their stuff)..so try to compare the prices-everything mcm is, like, automatically twice, triple price of other pieces since it's mcm..especially when somebody's refurbished it. Still, very well worth checking into..saw totally amazing(was very hard not to write it in caps..ok still going to do that: AMAZING) credenza/dresser, wood plus white, rounded, great condition, leather handles, very tastefully done, looks like new..they wanted 500 for it which is great considering the piece itself, and the prices on this style right now..the owners probably weren't fans and just wanted it gone..and of course it was gone in a day. Hell I'd buy it myself -I just couldn't think of space to put it. Sorry that was long..just to repeat the Craigslist/vintage advice..and not to be surprised about the price discrepancy..I'd still hunt mcm since I simply love it..but there are many interesting things out there that can work. (if somebody asks me-I know nobody does, but just in case-buy armoires guys..while you can..they'll be all the rage very soon)) -an art above the said sideboard -shelves on the opposite wall. I mean if you feel a need for shelves..books etc. It can hold also other collections. And plants. And art. Slim shelves, great storage, great impact. But I love books everywhere including dining so take my suggestions with a grain of salt. Shelves can be used for many things though, as I've said. I don't like when they say "Conversation piece" but some pieces are like that. Once we had a laugh for twenty minutes over some improvised ashtray-it was a weird pottery piece. -corners? A tree/bigger plants would do great there. Indirect light. Lots of it. Not kidding..they'll thrive. Put the smaller ones you own already on the taller shelf-here's your corner. Or they have to be in front of the window? Depends on the plants of course. But bottom line-I'd play with plants arrangements there you don't need to fill up the whole room..as much as I'm into stuff I need some negative space as they call it..figure out your level of comfort as you go Also the more you consolidate in one place-art, credenza, shelves, etc-the emptier the other can afford to be. Just balance it out. -I'd repeat the white of the chairs somewhere..sideboard as was said or accessories..say even white ceramics or white mats in art? Center piece(ok hate this word too but whatever) in white, like a vase? I'm into vases lately..some are so indefinitely cool..and you can do pattern too..white plus something. White plus brown will be amazing too..picks up the wood and the upholstery. -Wouldn't paint the table-I think it's too nice as it is now Well..sorry for the lengthy post ..I wish you a fun and meaningful decorating!

I guess I should have mentioned there's a fireplace on the all brick wall of the living room on the far side of the living room, and the current entrance has a partial (3/4 height) wall/bookcase to separate it from the family room.

J Castellanos - Sorry, you didn't deserve that in your thread. It's just that these Houzz "pros" are supposed to know not to pop into a thread with the sole intent of advertising their own products, and that is what the aforementioned "pro" does repeatedly. It's tiresome. Now, regarding your decorating issues ... What is on the wall across from the sectional? I see you've got your TV and console set up on the one wall, but wonder if you could move to the wall opposite the sofa and then "flip" the sofa around so that it's open to the fireplace? As it is now, it doesn't look like the fireplace gets much enjoyment by those seated on the sectional. I'm thinking that if you could rearrange things a bit, you might have space for a desk behind the sofa on the wall where the TV is now. I would not move the dining set into the living room, as that will cramp the space.

Agree with lynartist get someone knowledgeable in to look at the walls. Shifting the color used makes a huge difference. I would not have the walls smoothed or made shiny. But there are all sorts of ways to approach this and end up with a great looking home. Consider moving the functions of the two spaces. A modern dining area with a fireplace, even such an ornate one, could be spectacular and marry well with a more intimate USED space for conversations, drinks, and even just solo book readin'! Making the switch would also de-emphasize the fireplace and allow it to look its very best. A bit of a paradox but look at many old European houses and you'll see it again and again. My other preference would be to have a wood refinisher take down the shine on the floor. Congratulations and I hope you let us know how this progresses.