Yes, take the mirrors down, the ornate fireplace surround and traditional french doors / banister have added some traditional elements . . so work with that but pull the relief above the fireplace down until you decide how you want to decorate . . . with the wood tones and white, the buff brick, you may want to begin with a soft cottage tone . . against the white, what about a muted mossy green - something like bm nantucket breeze very close to dune grass

http://www.benjaminmoore.com/en-us/paint-color/nantucketbreeze 

http://www.benjaminmoore.com/en-us/for-your-home/rooms-by-color/well-dressed-living-room

terrific against the white trim, will work with buff brick too .

How about slipcovers for your chocolate leather upholstery? Kind of a canvas tone that you bring out for summer? Use the leather in the winter with some apple green and cream print pillows . . consider the pathways through here . . a slipper chair at the fireplace with its back to the brick / angled in, sofa pulled forward with a narrow desk and straight chair behind it, a great lamp on it, used as a sofa table, a round pedestal / chalk painted coffee table would be great .. . . the room is too long to push it against the wall . . you need an apartment size sofa / not too wide - with the back of the sofa not past the end of the window. Unless you need media in this room .. opposite the window is probably best, .. you might get a rustic narrow wooden bench to sit in front of the window and use from the slipper chair as an end table / pull it around to the fire / seat more people . . how many people want to gather here? Is there an exit to the left of the existing sofa out of the room or is this one way in and out . ..

White linen lined curtain panels that mostly sit open, letting the light in ..

I want to use the space as a casual living room. I want to have enough seating for eight up to maybe 10??? Add a tv, but don't want it to be a total focal point.

I'm definitely interested in taking down the mirrors, and I consider myself very handy (especially with demolition work hehe) but this job intimates me!!!

Does anyone happen to know if there is a specialized contractor that does that type of work?

A glass contractor will do the removal for you if you like .. they may be able to reuse . . .but the refinishingof the drywall underneath is something you can do / cut out big adhesive coins / patch and finish . .

Post dimensions / doorw-ys for more help

Is that a stairwell to French doors beside the FP?