My design dilemma is what to do for furniture on either side
of the fireplace. The family room is 22’
wide and 16’ long. The fireplace is 6’9”
wide and the wall space on either side of the fireplace is 7’10” wide. The fireplace is 9’ tall, but the natural
cherry trim around the fireplace is only about 5” deep. Our family room is open to the kitchen where
the cabinetry is also natural cherry and the granite is a dark brown/black
(same as surrounding fireplace).

We have looked into adding cabinetry and shelving to the fireplace
wall, but because the fireplace is almost flush to the wall, adding cabinetry
would create a recessed fireplace or we would need to move the fireplace
forward from the wall. Both options were
very expensive with questionable outcomes.

We need a media center to the right of the fireplace and the
tape marks on the wall currently depict a piece of furniture would be 36”h and 65”
w. This area is where all cable and
electrical outlets are. I also would
like a piece with feet because there is a vent on the floor in this area. We placed a table with lamp and artwork to
the left of the fireplace to gauge scale and look. We have settled on the Pearce Pottery Barn
sectional to replace the current sofa and love seat combo. All other furniture currently in the room
will be removed.

Almost all pictures of family rooms with fireplace that I
have seen always have built-ins of some sort creating symmetry on either side
of the fireplace. I am thinking of placing
a media console/credenza of some sort on each side of the fireplace, but I am
stumped as to whether I choose 2 identical pieces to create the same symmetry
or something completely different on each side.
Also, most pieces that I have seen are usually only about 36” high and I
am unsure of whether this is the correct scale.
Finish of the furniture is also a question in my mind. I’ve attached a picture of a Bassett credenza (H34” W64” D17”)

that I am drawn to, but I have no idea whether it would work or not. I’m open to all ideas and suggestions. Thanks!