This is lkplatow's sister. Thanks so much for your advice - I'm just horrible at picking interior finishes and this room has proven to be a challenge because of its location, shape and function (or lack thereof). Right now, it's used mostly for a den/playroom for our 4-year-old. Once we get the shelving figured out, we'll move a lot of the open toy storage into the base cabinets, and his books on to the lower shelves. Again, have to apologize for the clutter!! Here's a wider shot of the room, from the doorway to the kitchen which is opposite of the fireplace wall: There are some faux beams on the ceiling that have been painted the same color as the paneling which is on the walls. (We'd love to drywall the whole thing, but again, time being what it is, we really just need to get this room pulled together for the short term!) The next three pictures are starting on the left side of the shelves and looking along the adjacent wall with the sliding glass doors to the backyard, and then the small seating area with the leather club chairs, and a vintage advertising poster on the wall. Please ignore the lamp - I hate it but DH doesn't. We're working on that! :P (Oh yes, and the brass switch plates are also getting the axe ASAP.) Continuing to look at the opposite side of the room from the fireplace, you can see the doorway into the kitchen and then immediately adjacent on the other wall, the doorway into the center hall of the house. And then finally, coming back around, this is a shot of the wall to the right of the shelves/fireplace with the door to the hall in the back and the door into the living room in the front. We put in these white built-in's shortly after we moved in. That room was a desert rose color that was way dark, so we painted it a creamy yellow and all the trim white, along with building a wall of bookshelves with a fireplace mantle in the middle. I don't know that I'm crazy about the idea of going black on the shelves. I was originally thinking a shade or two darker than the wall color, so this is a lot of good feedback! Keep it coming!!!!

I'd make the small area on the left a storage/ closet with mirrored front door and add molding. Absolutely do a bench seat with storage at the window. Round table ( with leaf expansion). Bench that doubles as coffee table or bench at the table. small but comfortable couch on the long wall (left). A few chairs and a small occasional table. Don't forget to add wheels to the table so it's easy to clean and move for parties. Should seat up to 9 adults with this configuration. Make sure the bench/ table is at least 18" wide and either 6' long or 2 sets of 4' in length. Don't forget to hang curtain rods height above the window for a more spacious feel. Add a chandelier to the window area that is moveable ( chain hooks). This should give you versatility. Good luck!

This is a unique, beautiful layout, but - Holy Cow - there's way too much going on. Simplify. As others suggest, raise the living room floor and get rid of the step down and railing. It would combine the entry and living room and really open up the space. It would be safer, too, because it's easy to forget situations where there's one or two steps, especially for guests. Paint the brick. Easier and cheaper than drywall and would retain the interesting texture. Lighter color railings would help. The hillbilly front door has got to go.

I agree with bpath about a cabinet, if one would fit here (I can’t tell how wide the walk-through is). There are Etsy sellers who have cool vintage-style music posters: If no room for cabinet, West Elm has cool MCM wall shelves: This was on Pinterest, but I’m sure easily found: eBay and Etsy are great sources for finding vintage pieces, if you want more unique art ... love this authentic MCM horse: https://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Mid-Century-Modern-Wood-Metal-Aluminum-Horse-Wall-Art/174621477394?hash=item28a8404a12:g:9nMAAOSwKthgF3fl These vintage ships are great: https://www.ebay.com/itm/Mid-Century-Wall-Art-Wall-Hangings-Sail-Boats-Brass-Copper-Metal-Wood/224339923210?hash=item343bb3910a:g:8c0AAOSwkMBgHITK Sorry, got carried away, love looking at art. :D