i think the display case may have been added later, not much but it maybe added after the build. also maybe some walls/entry may have been widened or removed. Its rather cute what if you add a cozy chair, and a floor lamp?

Thanks so much for taking the time to do this, Nancy! I haven't moved in yet or decorated (it's not my couch) but you make an excellent point that it could be integrated with the room with some color, etc. I'd like to use a deep blue in the nook, hopefully that wouldn't be too dark. Thanks!

Neat place. Going to be fun. A dark blue might not be best, but a medium blue i could see and perhaps a nice tufted, velvet blue bench in front of fireplace. I might try painting the backs of the bookshelves the same color. I might try taking the doors off which would make them more a part of the room. I would also look for a nice piece of artwork for anove theabove the gireplave. Some lighted candleabras on the mantel would be enough light. Have fun.

Auto correct. I meant look for a nice ...

For above the fireplace.

I could see a bench in front too

Look up ingelnook fireplace. You might get some ideas from them.

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KdQ73UjT9hY/TVkbhHH3lYI/AAAAAAAAB-w/92m9bNbHUjY/s1600/inglenook-fireplace-image-faz.jpg

Claudiann, you've blown my mind! I tried googling "fireplace in nook" and nothing came up. Great to know there's a name for it. A quick search shows that most inglenook fireplaces are a rustic style, though there are some amazing Victorians. I love the ones with built-in side benches but I don't think there's enough room in my nook for that and most are not set in as far as mine. Flo- great idea to paint the back of the bookcase the same color as the nook. Dark blue would probably be too much. A bigger challenge I have with the entire house is that I prefer a modern/Scandinavian style that I'm trying to integrate with the home's traditional bones. The general color scheme for the house will be black, white, navy and brass. Fun challenge!

Too dark? I'm in love with this color...

Oh, then the light blue/gray color would work in the fireplace area and the back of bookcases. You could think about perhaps putting to appropriate sized columns on top of the mantel and paint those your white along with trim and then do the rest of the wall in your lighter blue then the bench in navy velvet and have the bench base be aged gold! I can see it now! Then, a couple of antique gold candelabras and a nice little Scandinavian print above and between the columns would finish the look. The reason I suggest the short columns above the mantel (just inside the outer surround sides below, is because it would look "more built-in and finished" rather than "stuck in". You could even do the backs of the bookcases in a wallpaper with the blue and a white pattern of some kind. Lots of options.

While the space above your fireplace is smaller, this is the scale and look of the "columns" I think would give your fireplace a more "finished" period look.

In thinking about this today, I think a mirror over the fireplace would be better than art, because of the need to gain light in that space.

HI - Get a contractor or two in to have a look . I think the cabinet and so on have been added after the fact and might be possible to have things re-moved and re-modeled . Also get a fireplace person in the check the fireplace and see what can be done with that and if it is still fit for use . If this is a new purchase .. the fireplace should have been inspected and certified for insurance on the sale and purchase of the house .

Is it symmetrically placed in the alcove? If so I agree that the display cabinet may be a later addition and so could be removed (maybe even one side of it closest to the fireplace) and seating put in there.