FYI here's my fake stone around the gas fireplace. My stone is not as linear as yours, but notice they did a nice edge detail to ensure that it looked consistent where it met the black firebox. (PS 22 years old - never touched it)

Coordinate the electrician and carpenter work. When the carpenter tears open the wall and before the window get installed is when you want the electrician to do his work. If the electrician comes before, the wiring he runs could be in the way of the windows; if he comes after, it may be very difficult to run the wires. The electrician will appreciate having an open wall to work with. You also need to try to figure out what is in those walls already: there could be plumbing, electrical, and/or air ducts in there, and any one of those will complicate the job of installing windows. I'm also going to mention that the location of the tv so high up on the wall is terrible ergonomically. While many people locate a tv over the fireplace because it seems logical, you ideally want your tv to be at a height where the middle of the screen is at eye level when you are seated, rather then having to crane your neck up. If you must have the tv on that wall, at least get an articulating, fireplace tv mount so that you can lower the height to a better location when you are watching it. Something like this style: Fireplace tv mount

Interesting. Can CLASSIC ever be 'dated'? Your room is fabulous. In the early 90's we put in gas fireplace in our basement. WE sooo wanted green as you have but were not brave enough and went more of a taupe and used green in the soft accessories. Blue and green are a classic color combo. I vote with ignore the nay sayers and save yourself the bother of 'fixing' what's not broke!!

You could paint your fireplace, but it looks like you like orange (pillows). I would get some new artwork for over the fireplace with orange in it. Then I think I would paint the shelves white...(You have white in the kitchen) with back of them the wall color like you have now. Then I would hang some white sheers on the lower windows to soften things up.. If it still looks dark, then I would paint the fireplace or retile it with the tile you have on your kitchen backsplash if possible.