without better pictures and actual measurements it is really impossible to make workable suggestions. Take measurements, draw them on a piece of paper, take a photo of your drawing, and post that picture here. Also just take more photos in more directions, and show what is behind the curtains.

It also helps to know how many people you want to be able to seat comfortably. If you never plan to entertain in that space, and it is just a conversational nook for 2 people, what kind of seating do you prefer?

Without knowing anything precisely, if that was my only space for guests, I’d put the fireplace in the corner and use your existing chairs plus something like one of these, if there is room

Moes Home Abigail Chaise Umber · More Info

Evangeline Parisian Settee - Gray, Black · More Info

Three's Company Right Arm Facing Chaise · More Info

Glenna Left-Arm Rounded Chaise Piece · More Info

Ok, I'll take better pics and measurements and edit this post! Thank you for the suggestions!

It’s a really fun space!

Have you tried moving the existing furniture around? Does the fireplace fit neatly in the spot you’ve marked on the paper?

In the whole house picture it looks like there was a dining table in there at some point

So maybe I would try something like this:

I’d arrange 3 round nesting tables like these at the outer curve of the bottom of the spiral stairs (or just two of them)

Gold Metal Nesting Accent Table with Black Glass Top Set of 3 21", 19", 17"H · More Info

then I would move the sofa to that side of the room at an angle facing where you say you are going to put the fireplace.

Then take the two chairs and put them with their back to the window, with a table in between them.

Personally I would probably try to grow a couple of bamboo trees behind the stairs, and hang a kite from the ceiling over them — or a might look to find a way to get a very tall arc floor lamp back there to have it come into the room.

living room · More Info

or maybe in the other corner, I would have one of these floor lamps instead

Layered-Style Handmade Floor Lamp · More Info

Spiral Body Handmade Floor Lamp · More Info

Metal Aadjustable Pulldown Floor Lamp, 34x19x69" · More Info

Kind of depends on your fireplace.

Eventually I would look to get a curvy sofa and maybe swivel chairs instead of your existing chairs.

I think eventually you might as well put a mirror on the wall at the foot of the stairs

and some possible rugs

Well Woven Allegra Traditional Tribal Area Rug Natural 7'10" x 9'10" AL-22 · More Info

Surya City CIT-2339 Modern Area Rug, Coral, 7'10" x 10'3" Rectangle · More Info

Rugs America Jasper Contemporary Geometric Soft touch Area Rug, 8' X 10' · More Info

Safavieh Hollywood Collection HLW709 Rug, Ivory/Peacock Blue, 5'3"x7'6" · More Info

Safavieh Rodeo Drive RD863 Area Rug, Yellow/Gold, 7'-6"x9'-6" · More Info

Blue Facet Mid-Century Modern Geometric Area Rug, 7'6"x9'6" · More Info

Blue Faded Moon Contemporary Modern Area Rug, 7'6"x9'6" · More Info

Turquoise Ficus Modern Floral Area Rug, 7'6"x9'6" · More Info

Darling Modern Buzzing Bees Area Rug, 7'9"x9'5" · More Info

The curving stairs aren't as tight as a true spiral staircase, and the black metal works fine with the house. I would change the location of your planned fireplace though. By putting it in the middle of that wall, you are cutting into the main area you have for furniture. I would place the fireplace on the short wall to the side of the stairs, where you have your basket in the photos. That area is too small and disconnected for much anyway, and you will still be able to see it from your main living area. You can float your sofa between the kitchen and living space, facing the view and windows, with additional seating to the sides.

What “free standing” fireplace do you have? Can you post photo from stair case far wall to opposite wall. I think a combination of chairs and clever table might work best. Here is coffee table that converts to table. Chairs can fit up to this table.

Tuck bookcase behind stairs.

Its 14" deep, 28" wide, 23" high and will vent about 2-3 feet above it

Of course, the bookshelf will tuck behind stairs. I tried to show that somewhat but use your imagination. Shelves can help with storage and bring a bit of warmth. Repeating black of stairs and stove is a good way to integrate pieces.

Flo, thank you for these ideas. I love the idea of swivel chairs. So no couch or loveseat? We have a full size dining table and chairs on the other side of the room so I don't think we'd need another table. Here's a pic of the other side of the room (sorry taken at night). I also included an aerial of the living area.

Very nice. But with swivel chairs you could have conversation area. And more comfortable too. Cute place. I wonder about swapping table and seating areas? Or do you need that much table? I was suggesting a more flexible arrangement. Do you sit down routinely with 4-6 people? In cabins most people put that size table outside on a deck or patio? Just curious about that pick.

You can experiment but I think a bookcase behind the stairs will look like clutter. If you need bookshelves, consider staggering shelves up the wall starting halfway up the steps, going up to the second floor or building shelves that use the actual back of the stairs to create shelving. and build a secret reading nook with seating and lighting

if the fireplace doesn’t fit neatly between the wall columns I thin it will visually break up the space into incoherency if you put it on the back wall

The open curve of the stairs is an outstanding dominating feature, which is why swivel chairs are appealing. As much as possible I think you need to go ”with” the staircase as a sculptural design, following and using its curve. Bring into the room more curves or very sharp contrasting angled lines.

If functionally you really need a conventional living room, get a very big round rug to redefine the space — lay part of it under the stairs— and consider building a raised platform unit just behind the stairs so you can set the fireplace on top of that. Create a visual block behind the staircase to box the room. Then you can put a small V sectional in the corner, or 2 armless loveseats with a corner table, then add swivel chairs and a coffee table

Divani Casa Edgar Modern Gray Fabric Modular Sectional Sofa · More Info

I don’t totally get the space with those photos and sketch and a fireplace, but I think I’d put my dining table in that corner by the stairs and have the living space along the window wall opposite. But that’s assuming you could do a round dining table that seats four comfortably

Following.

Consider a FP/gas stove like this on the window wall opposite the stairs. It has a small footprint and could sit between the fixed widow and slider, just about where you have the 93" dotted line if your floor vents aren't in the way or can be moved. Centrally locating it will help circulate the heat throughout.

Port Ludlow House · More Info

One very minor thing you could do to help organize the room is to put a black stair tread on the floor in front of the last step of the stair to reorient the flow. Right now, your stair case is dead-ending into a wall. You can probably buy a black stair tread or mat or anything non-slip and match-y, and use a box cutter to cut to the shape of a tread, but position on the floor so it suggest the walker should be heading toward the window, not the wall.

Is all of that little wall load bearing? If not, I would take away as much of it as possible even if that means you‘ll need to do a cosmetic fix on the flooring.

So I re-read your wishes for the room, and also noted you are near the beach as well as in the rustic woods, and want a cozy entertaining nest.

Here is something that might work for the wall at the end of the stairs

this table

Offex Table Top Hall Console Table With 2 Drawers, Dark Taupe/Black · More Info

Put a mirror over it

Sage 32" Modern Round Wall Mirror Aluminum Black Frame · More Info

and at the end of the table nearest the stairs, put a striking structured plant like a bromeliad. Position a small dark-ish circular rug under this table, big enough to be a landing for whomever is coming down the stairs.

If you want cozy conversational in the rest of the room, consider low modular sofas, and if you want swivel chairs, stick with something low profile and add boho foot poufs and textured lumbar pillows

Omax Decor France Lounge Swivel Armchair, Light Grey · More Info

try a simple textured rug on the floor or something in a very low key tribal pattern. Think of twigs and branches when it comes to end tables.

If you want to embrace the staircase, maybe artfully arranging these behind the staircase would be fun

Fine Art Photograph, Dunes Fence I, Fine Art Paper Giclee · More Info

Fine Art Photograph, Dunes Fence VI, Fine Art Paper Giclee · More Info

Fine Art Photograph, Dunes Fence III, Fine Art Paper Giclee · More Info

Put in one or two of these for books and low seating with lighting and pouf for a secret reading corner

Sapiens 60" Bookcase Tower, Anthracite · More Info

And if you‘ve literally got money to burn, you could get a cocoon fireplace, which could be positioned almost anywhere

Mid-Century Remodel · More Info

I hope you stay true to your vision and keep the sense of your home up front. I love the quirky staircase. It is full of character and so unique. You can take furnishings in any direction you want just keep good bones in tact.

Was just looking at something else and saw these chairs. Using several of them as modules to create sofa-like seating in your space, then adding swivels, could give you lots of flexibility in arranging the furniture and the fireplace to make it work conversationally and aesthetically

Kari Slant Back Wood Accent Chair · More Info

Most people, particularly men, do not like sitting in armless chairs so some type arm is needed.

I like sitting on armless chairs and so does my husband

some people of both genders prefer chairs with arms, ditto chairs without arms

i particularly prefer armless or one-armed seating next to an end table.

presumably you know what you want but don’t assume your guests share your preferences and don’t quiz them beforehand!

i wouldn’t put too much stock in declarations of what most people do or don’t like. If you have many friends with mobility issues that is worth thinking about.