Getting lots of comments on the built-in....think 1970s built-in...it needed to go. The bottom cabinets were about 2 feet deep, and took up too much of that wall, plus didn't allow for a nice accent chair. Of course we would've assumed that they had built the fireplace properly instead of not finishing the stone around. I would much prefer wood floors, but DH doesn't want hard surfaces everywhere...I know the wood would hold up better long term and be better for resale.. I think I am going to have him put up a wood piece on the bad side. Eventually we might do some nice smaller scale built ins...but the other built in needed to go before flooring. I will make a mantle box probably with a nice corbel on the bottom on each side. The fireplace cover definitely needs to go. I do like the idea of painting the inside of the fireplace a matte black...and I can look for a different "fire" for inside the fireplace. I will find a nice picture or mirror for above the fireplace, and decorate the mantle ledge. Hopefully with a nice paint color and the rest of the room decorated, the fireplace will be nice. Thank you everyone for your replies. Beverly-is your first photo and the one next to it a before and after? I would love a link to that if you have it...I do like the grayish green color they painted the mantle and the corbels under the mantle. Thanks!

Yes, 65" is the diagonal measurement. The actual end to end measurement of the tv is 57.5 inches. The wall that it is hanging on is 7'4" wide. Thanks! That is Hank. He is a rescue that I have had since March.

Anglophilia- We love the idea of the “triangle of light”. It will do so much for the space. I totally understand your rant of lack of tables/lights! You can find me reading pitifully curled up next to the only lamp in the room, with my drink out of arms reach on the coffee table. I think that these suggested ideas of where/what types of tables and lights to add in will make this a much better space to hang out in. Artemis_ma- Thank you for the insight! I appreciate it. That seems to be the general consensus of what to change in this room. I love this red brick, so I’d much rather design a room around it than to paint it! Lascatx- Great advice, thanks. And thank you for the helpful LED information, I’m sure that will make all the difference. We’ve already started the hunt for a new rug—we’re excited to see what that does for the room and where to go from there (for the coffee table, etc). Artdreamer- Thank you for the advice! We used to have a beautiful palm tree in the corner, but unfortunately it only lived a year or so. Not sure if I just don’t have good luck with plants, or if it didn’t like our cold, dark winters. We may try again! Those are great rug suggestions, and I like the idea of adding a mirror to reflect light to further brighten the room. Thanks! K Fitz- No problem! I’m sure it will be more messy and difficult than the internet makes it seem (aren’t home projects always this way?) but… 1) We plan to follow this set of directions to remove the brick: https://www.wikihow.com/Replace-a-Damaged-Brick ). 2) We will then cut the brick in half (either with a circular saw or by hand with a chisel https://www.thisoldhouse.com/more/how-to-hand-cut-brick ). 3) We will then re-insert the brick, pushing it back in until it is flush with the rest of the brick wall.

Removei hear you. I would definitely mount the tv to a wall. There’s a lot of things going on in the room and I feel like here , less is more. The stone is probably not structural. Is the other side of the wall stone also? Or sure remove it!! If hubby likes stone we can maybe add some stone tile or something. Something more updated tho. As far as the couch goes what’s the room past this room. What do the two brown doors lead to? If they go to the same room maybe we can close one up or something.