Thank you everyone for the advice. Was hoping there would be an easy fix, but doesn't sound like it will be easy. We ordered the floor and had it installed by lumber liquidators. We are not happy about it and going to try to talk to a manager tomorrow hopefully we figure out something. Other than that part the rest of the floor looks good just such a bummer :(

We do use the fireplace regularly. We're going to go with a slate slab (thank you everyone) that the contractor is going to try to recess. Even if it can't be recessed the only reason to walk into that area is to access the fireplace so hopefully it won't be too much of a problem. I've gone back and forth about wood in the kitchen because it would eliminate the problem with the fireplace hearth. But, the wood would blend much better with the rest of the house, especially since we entertain in the kitchen as much as in the living/dining room. I like the feeling of wood under my feet more than tile and the tile would also have to work with the slate entry. I could do slate throughout, but the cost is a bit much. Thank you everyone.

Really nice house. You could remove (but not discard) the existing mantel and live a while without, taking the time to consider all your fireplace options, including a more bulky but less wide mantel that is a part of a fireplace surround. (The current mantel could be reused as support for shelving or a new mantel.) Would not paint or widen the existing built ins Would not paint the wood around the cased door opening to the entry unless you do decide to put white (or wall colored) built ins on that wall incorporating the tv behind where the floor lamp now stands (third pic). If you do keep the built ins beside the fireplace their current wood look, then definitely leave the baseboard the treated wood to match the built ins. If you paint the current built ins white, then paint the window trim white, too; however, otherwise, if the current built ins are going to stay wood as is, you could decide to paint the window trim white only if you're not going to add drapes that would cover most of the window frame anyway. Would definitely paint the trim at the top of the wall the wall color since ceiling white could visually shrink the height of the room. As you consider wall colors, in addition to considering blue or gray, you might consider a wall color that is a tan (but without pink or yellow hue) such as the lightest color in the stone in the fireplace -- and keep the ceiling white. If you paint the new built-ins surrounding the tv either white or a light wall color, you should seriously consider updating the ceiling fan with one that is silver metal and tinted semi-clear plastic/vinyl blades. As to the front porch, does any part of the floor of the existing stoop extend beyond the front wall of the house or do the steps start as you walk out the door (as the sloped rails suggest)? Something you might consider is building a treated lumber deck over the steps from the front wall of the house to the sidewalk from a point midway between the door to the right front corner of the house, with wooden steps leading from the side of that deck to the sidewalk and having it built with posts extending above the deck for the railing and to build to in order to add a porch roof later.

Gosh, that firescreen is EVERYTHING. So pretty. I understand you not liking the tiles as much. There are definitely options that could stay in keeping with the style of the screen and fireplace. Here are a few options and as others have pointed out above, if you search some Arts and Crafts style tiles you'll find plenty of inspiration. My mind immediately thought of green. If you want tile there are lots of choices but you consider something like a soapstone or granite etc. Gorgeous colours in this one - it would make a nice border and then fill in with plain coloured otherwise. I think this is so lovely. Gorgeous colour and design. This one too. So beautiful and classic. You could have a look at some hand made tiles - have a look at Cle tiles for some options that would also look nice in your space. I'd contact a local metal shop and get a recommendation for who could look at the screen. Or if there is an architectural salvage shop they will likely have contacts for that type of thing. Please do come back and post after photos so we can see the results.