Hi Amy, I hear ya! I looked at Houzz Monday and then not at all till this morning. My kids just left for school moments ago. Woot, woot! As for the fp, the more I think about it, it's probably easiest to just do the fp wall with the tv above the fireplace. I've been fighting this idea for so long and tho I love the look of the corner unit I'm not so sure about the ceiling differences and how it would all tie in together. I would obviously update the fp and prob do built ins and that way I could do nice window treatments. I would also ensure I have a pull out TV for viewing from the kitchen. This room is so frustrating. Don't even get me started on other areas of the house. I'm also wondering if it would be nicer and more practical in the long run to ditch the two windows and do built ins with a direct vent fireplace and add windows on the fireplace wall. Not sure about this option. I have to meet with a structural engineer for a couple other issues. I can ask about this as well. What do u think? I know I'm all over the place but I am trying to think of the best option, not necessarily the cheapest. Then again, I have no idea of the construction costs if we remove the windows, etc. Btw - I like the sofa above with two vs three cushions. I like the wider seating. :)

Lydia- have you decided on anything yet? My Idea is based on this photo from Jesse, an Italian furniture company. It will be floating, bolted to the wall with 3 drawers on one side (the right) and a long shallow drawer at the seating space. I'll make the unit with my carpenter and although it will be mounted on a long closet wall, it will be between enclosed closets so no, there won't be clothing hanging around it! I haven't finished the drawings yet, so can't post them. It will be 18 or 20 inches deep and the bottom drawer will be large enough to accommodate a hairdryer. I'm thinking it will be 44 inches long; 30 seating & 14 drawer width, but I want to block it out to see if I can get away with less; I'd like more empty wall space around it. These specifics are thanks to this thread. You said you wanted elegant- I think a simple, wall mounted unit like this could be elegant.- it's essentially 4 drawers with a top. A cabinetmaker could knock it out in a day.

I just remodeled and installed a sit down vanity in lieu of one of the double sinks that had been there. I had always had a vanity in my bedroom and my designer and I discussed keeping the vanity in the bedroom or moving it to the bathroom. The vanity was part of a vintage Waterfall bedroom suite that I was having refinished. I actually repurposed the vanity into two night stands - i.e. the drawers on either side of the "table area" are now my night stands. We decided it made more sense to have the makeup vanity area in the bathroom because it freed up space in my bedroom - I now have a fantastic chaise longue :-). It's also more functional for me in the bathroom since I have easy access to water if need be. I designed the whole vanity to provide a lot of storage including pullouts to hold hair dryers with electrical outlets inside. I can't imagine standing up and leaning over a counter to apply makeup and fiddle with my hair as it's so much more comfortable and relaxing to be able to sit - I have access to the large mirror as well as a regular mirror for closeups. I bought a beautiful plexiglass bench that fits under the vanity area and doesn't add any visual clutter. My mirrors were designed to complement the sink and vanity area - the main mirror runs ceiling to counter and wall to wall. The area over the sink has another mirror on top with a ziggurat Art Deco design and two Art Deco sconces - the area over the vanity counter has a smaller mirror installed over the large mirror with built in LED bulbs to ensure that every wrinkle, line and pimple is fully illuminated :-). But the mirrors also work to open up my very small master bathroom (I live in a high rise condo). I didn't design anything in terms of resale - also got rid of the horrible tub/shower combo which left me with two showers. But I live in the space and I designed it to be functional for me - either someone will appreciate a large walk in shower and a comfortable grooming station or they won't :-).

I have an antique one I can sell you, all ready for paint. Honestly, there are lots of these around, going back to the Art Deco era and forward. If you want it to be part of your cabinetry, any traditional cabinet line will be able to sell you the center drawer part. People usually lower the counter top that section of their cabinetry, but if you are tall, you don't have to. Or look for one like mine. I have a fancy carved mirror for mine in the basement. I bought it to use as a sink cabinet in a wheelchair accessible bathroom, but decided against it.