The wheels on the front legs of those chairs will ruin your floors so YES to a rug. I would do a round rug in a light pattern. I would have the chairs angled towards the fireplace, with them facing the kitchen, it feels like they are observing the kitchen. It’s a lovely, cozy space! The fireplace looks great and the bookcase is a good use of what you labeled an “awkward” space.

Your fireplace is lovely! I like the idea of the one comfy chair with ottoman. Swivel chairs work great in places like this. You can look towards the kitchen or spin around towards the fire. The ottoman can be a second seat if needed. I would add beautiful light on a dimmer hung near the ceiling by the book case and a bigger piece of art over the fire place I think the mirror is too small. Or add a few other vintage mirrors if you want to keep the mirror. And a rug. You’ve got a great start, almost there!

I do love the navy chairs, but I don’t think they are quite right placement wise for the spot.
If you want to keep that placement two small comfy swivel chairs wouldn’t block the view of the fireplace from the kitchen.

Love your new book cases. Your fireplace is a tish STARK now, maybe it's the dark blue chairs? Perhaps the mantle should return. Why the blanket ladder in the corner by the fireplace? I would find another place for the ladder and it needs a throw. The firebox is set up in a manner that says it won't be used anymore. The white would get soot laden, no proper doors sucks all the air from the house if lit, the tools are gone. Perhaps then, just removing the screen and loading the firebox top to bottom with tree limbs, round cut ends showing would give you back a bit of the warm to compliment your floors? I am not sure a chair is called for at all given the footage, seems more like a pass through than a destination.

I love your awkward space and what I can see of the kitchen (hint, hint, more pictures, please).

I think your idea of one chair and a small ottoman shifted to the right is spot on. The first thing I thought when I saw your pic was that it needs a round rug.

I get what arcy is saying about the fireplace. It is almost perfect, just missing the mark by a hair. IMHO, the mirror is not working. If you keep it, it needs to be lower, but honestly, I'd replace it with a larger piece of art or a set of hanging woven items.

I think the fireplace stones should be painted a deeper neutral and add back a rustic mantel as @arcy_gw mentioned. Not crazy about the mirror or the ladder, but it's not terrible either. Love your chairs, round occasional table and the bookcases. Good job updated the space!

I love the 2 chairs in my old house my friends would always hang out in the kitchen so 2 comfy chairs are nice for when you are busy but a friend is over and you can stop for a glass of wine or a coffee . If that does not happen for you then one chair and ottoman for yourself is good.The mirror needs to go and be replaced with a nice large piece of art. The blanket ladder if a spot to hang throws great if not remove it . I sure hope somewhere in the future that island will be gone since those walkways are really tight good that you moved the fridge at least is the island shorter to give better space in front of the range ? If so good job.

Love the new look of your sitting room. The painted stone fireplace looks great as do the new built-in book cases. Could you reorient your chairs so that they face the fireplace? I'm not a fan of seeing the backside of furniture but perhaps turning your chairs would create a cozier look. If you are switching to one chair could it perhaps be a downsized version of a comfy overstuffed chair in warmer colors? Right now your sitting room seems a bit on the cold side. Might also suggest a rug to anchor the area and give it some separateness from the rest of your kitchen. Good luck!

I'm pretty sure the clearances are fine. They seem to be within recommended limits. Having lived with both a tight island (actually my clearances are almost the same as yours) and a kitchen with a huge aisle and no landing space in the middle, I can tell you, I'd take a tight island any day of the week.

@ShadyWillowFarm Thanks so much yes those blue chairs have coasters on them but recently moved to the living room because they are too light and my dog likes to barrel into them a litte too much😆

@Jennifer Schuessler thinking of adding a bookcase light—my husband just needs to wire it something similar to this

House of Troy T21 Classic Traditional 3 Light Title 20 Compliant Picture Light · More Info

@arcy_gw thanks for all the great suggestions! i am thinking about repainting the fireplace and bookcase in a warmer white. When I did it, it was on a whim while my husband was away for a few weeks . I hsve thought about stacking logs inside—thanks for the reminder. The space is definitely a pass through but I wanted to at least use the space for something

@daisychain Zn3b ooh I love the idea of some woven art. I placed the mirror there because there was already a dowel sticking out. But I can try Bigger! and Lower!

You guys are great! Thanks for all the suggestions!!

@Patricia Colwell Consulting oy vey that island has been quite the talking point in my house for the last year. The kitchen was recently redone and that island was the only thing my husband requested , so there it sits. I actually like it and use it more than anything else. We did shorten it—72 inches and there is plenty of space around it to prep and cook.

@Norwood Architects thanks for all the great ideas!! As far as a rug, what size and orientation would you suggest? I was thinking a 3x9 runner along the fireplace and then layer a smaller one near the bookcase under the chair?

I just put together a mood board of pieces I have and I like. These have the feel I’m looking for. Thinking of a long jute runner with the smaller terracotta ans navy rug layered under a single chair and ottoman , Navy blue and white pillow pulls from the living room. I really love the colors of the art piece—its 41x61” . And a basket with throws—no ladder. Brass library light at bookcase. Am I getting there?? Trying to use what I have and keeping purchases down a bit. Do I need to start over? Add more? Thanks so much!

I think you would need one larger rug in the area on not a runner and a smaller separate rug.

@lyfia yes lots of suggestions on a rouns rug but what size? Should I go small and place in front of bookcase?

Go ahead and put together the look for which you have the pieces, take pix and we'll chime in.

That’s a nice, cozy nook!

@Kristy Seaman what is the size of the space you have available. From edge of FP to island and from edge of bookcase to sunroom. I can't read the sizes on the plan. I would get something that fills that area, and allows a chair in the corner to have the front legs on the rug, but still leaves some flooring open in front of the fireplace and leaves flooring open on the side of the island.