Thanks for the feedback everyone; you make good points. We will also have a TV down in our rec room in basement which is great for our two teenage sons and our 12 year old too (not as easy to supervise as you have lebwhite). We will put their X-box downstairs as well. The TV on the main level will be our second TV. Our daughter just turned 6, so we don't want her watching what the boys do most of the time (although she does get exposed to big boy TV). My husband and I very rarely watch TV (I am too addicted to GW for that LOL) and he is always working. We don't even have cable, and just rent movies on the occasion. I would say the four kids do screen time in one form or another more than I care to admit. As porkandham suggested, I will be sorry not to have the fireplace in the same room as the TV, but we are to have radiant heat, so it will be cozy everywhere! The fireplace will be used, but is also wanted for design reasons. Also, I agree that it would be nice to watch TV in the large great room, but something has to give (i.e. find a new spot) as I am not finding an easy solution to squeezing the fireplace, TV, display shelves and window seat all into the great room. Suero, thanks for the sample furniture layout that would work if we use the playroom as a TV away room. When you suggested two chairs perpendicular to the couch, were you thinking having those chairs on the side of the big window, or nearer to the entrance of the room? If we do put the TV in this smaller room, would you recommend french doors and hall door to keep the TV sound from traveling throughout house. I know the author of Not so Big House is keen on this kind of closed in away room, visable but not heard from main room especially the kitchen (see Fun2Bhere your idea is in line with a famous architect you are not the only one who sees the benefits of a separate TV room). Also I really wonder what to do about the proposed railing between the foyer and TV away room. Should we keep it as a half wall, even though the railing will make the foyer seem larger?

i would not place over the fireplace, that is too high. you can put on an arm on the left side of the book case where the slot is for a smaller one or leave on the wall it is on, then i would give it a larger console. i think i would continue to have the sofa face the fireplace then have two swivels on the right side of the couch so they can turn to the fireplace, the tv, or the couch. i would not even ask about shelves i would quickly have them filled. if that step down gives a problem i think the least expensive solution is a slanted piece of wood shoved against it. well and glued down. if you ever want a little more color or zip, let me know can give you at the least some cool pillowsl. let me know.

Can the fish tank sit on top of the record player? Those could go between the windows. Personally, I would have put the TV on the wall right of the FP where you have the whatnot shelves and would have floated the two loves in an "L" out in front of the TV/FP area. The chair and ottoman would go in the recess by the closet for a quiet reading nook. Add a bookcase and lamp to flesh that out. You can still try that arrangement, but there is not much space for seating within easy viewing distance of the TV when it is high, smushed in to the corner and adjacent to the stair area, doors and traffic path. You might seriously want to reconsider the TV placement for optimal use of the space with your current furnishings.

Can you post a photo? Your description sounds like your TV is mounted pretty high...? Center of it should be about 42" from the floor.