We are doing a Master Bedroom/Bath remodel that will extend into our long and narrow (25’x11’) living room making it smaller. We have a large Flexsteel sectional and Teak Dining set which we would like to keep. We will be putting in Engineered Hardwood floors, changing changing D/R light and wall paint color. We are thinking of removing the double sided gas fire place to make the room more spacious (we don’t use it) and painting the spindles white on the stair railing and matching the railing and base to match the new floor . Our L/R faces South and Stairwell north. I have very little confidence in making these choices.

I am looking for suggestions on:

1. should we remove Fireplace (easy to do) to make the room feel more airy

2. light or medium wood floor

3. upholstery (leave it or reupholster it)

4. wall color

5. D/R light style

6. paint or leave the stair railing