I think your house is neat and funky. I wouldn't fight it too hard. The furniture style that you like I think will harmonize your existing architecture. I would paint, do a nice chandelier rather than a ceiling fan, and get some furniture you love. The tall wood hutch doesn't bother me. The smaller bookcase next to it does. Your TV can work on the built it- but I would make the shelves behind it more interesting.

There is a lot of potential here!!
I’d start with. Probably removing the built ins. Lower the mantle a bit. And put the tv there. Yes to covering the beams. For sure. Paint. I agree to add a light over a fan. 100%. I also agree that the shelving unit near the hutch is too small. I would reface the FP in something cheap. Maybe just a simple cement covering. You can do tiles but not crazy necessary. Windows aren’t horrible and if it was replacing them or doing something else. I’d rather spend elsewhere. The railings would look great if they matched your inspo lol. I’d get some bids. The arched doorways are rlly pretty. You have a great space to work with. I’m so excited to watch the changes.

Hi thank you!!! A chandelier would look gorgeous, but I think the functionality of a fan wins out for us because with ceilings this high and a mountain climate, we need the fan to push the hot air down to the rest of the house in the winter. Is there such a thing as an attractive ceiling fan? (serious question!) I think we'll just put the little book case upstairs in the loft, which is desks and another book case anyway. So funny that y'all like the arches! We are so stuck on them. What do you think about squaring the one that goes to the staircase but keeping the others? It would sort of balance the visual impact of the other 4. Are you saying cover the beams with wood or just paint to match the room? or would you do another color? I have no design sense, but I see the potential too!

I am no structural engineer but I think you need to ask some questions of someone with genuine knowledge of structure.

I have noted the direction your ceiling is vaulted and that besides the rafters hidden by the drywall you have exposed collar ties for roof support.

I have never seen beams in that location. Those white beams that are floating in the middle of the room support what exactly because they die at the drywall??? The white beams at the sides of the room are supporting the roof. rafters

Are you sure the two floating beams are not just decorative because I don't see how they can support anything?

Hi Beverly! We also were very skeptical, but we pulled off the coverings and they are tied into the floor joists. Center Right Beam is NOT tied into anything, but the ones on the far walls and the Center Left are tied into floor joists from the Loft. Would you get an architect or general contractor to check that? (sorry I am a new homeowner - I don't know where to even start with investigating structural questions). Thank you!!

I wouldnt do much. Please do not remove all the character from that unique house. The stairway is beautiful, and fits the house far more than the one that is your dream staircase. I love the beams, and would leave them as they are. The arches, actually make the room. I would not like to see it look like almost every other home, and take away all its original character. I love the fireplace, and would not remove or lower the mantle, nor would I ever put a tv up there. I do agree, that the builtins could be removed, and maybe put a nice stand with the tv where they are located.

Melissa, a structural engineer & perhaps there is an alternative to what is there. You know, how sometimes people can remove a wall and replace it with a beam. Maybe the floating beams can come down and be replaced with a beam that extends above the windows.

Or maybe this area requires collar ties also

Or maybe the beams can be raised to the ceiling like you see below

Thank you! Gosh, I am struggling with this input because I HATE the stairs. I know they are unique, but they are also poorly built, poorly painted (like enormous globs of uneven paint everywhere - that's the whole house actually), poorly maintained, and designed in a way that makes them impossible to clean adequately. I certainly don't want to put in elements that don' match the house, but man do those bug me. But I will think very carefully before we do anything with them! I appreciate your input.

There are some fans that are nicer than others. Haven’t found one I’m obsessed with. But we’ll look.
I’d do the beams covered in some sort of light wood. Faux or not. Don’t care ☺️