I also have a long narrow LR -- approx 12' x 24', and I have to fight windows, radiators, a door, a large entryway, etc. :) I had the same thought about the sofa arrangement.... Would it fit to move the loveseat on the right so that it faces the fireplace and defines the LR space? then maybe put a nice skinny table behind it? Move the wing chair to the right, nearer the window & FP.

It’s interesting to have two comments suggesting to move the loveseat over to create sort of an L. I used to have it that way but found that while it works in the living room, it creates a bit of an issue for the dining area, effectively blocking the view of the fireplace. When I moved the loveseats off to either side, it really let the whole area breathe As it didn’t look so congested.

lukkiirish, could you post a picture from a wider angle? It looks like yours is a full-size couch facing the fireplace, and with your room only 12 feet wide, I’d like to see what the walk-through there looks like to get into your living room. It is a beautiful room.

The fireplace wall can wait for sure, it’s just with the kitchen Reno and what we’ve done so far, this is going on about two years. I thought it might be nice to have a living space that was finished for a Christmas after two years of not.

I’m impatient now.

I guess the question better asked might be do you think that end would look better with built-ins or without, or small bookcase or secretary desk etc.? The beauty part of that, of course, is that it can be left and those ends still look “done”.

this unit from ikea I was looking at for each side of the fireplace (Am I right in thinking both sides have to be the same?)

I think your dining room looks a bit crowded with the settee and the 4 chairs around the table. Maybe if you want to keep the settee you use that instead of two of the chairs and bring in the extra chairs when needed.

You have very specific ideas about what you need help with, yet, those are not the things that I would do first other than finishing the fireplace. Lighting, such as losing the swag, and the light over the fireplace would be my first things. I would lose the curly q table and the swag over the door too. I think the arc lamp is fine. I would change out the sofa cover to a plain quilt.

I would say yes, both sides should match. Does that arrangement meet the size requirements for each side of the fireplace? I would only get doors on the bottom half and leave the upper portion open.

I know the tin is a lot more cost effective, but personally, I think it will cheapen the look of the fireplace. Can you share what your original vision for the fireplace was? Do you have an inspiration picture? What about the tile you were considering when you got the quote? Do you have a picture of it? Did you get several estimates or just one? There are so many variables, that maybe with a few tweeks, tiling could still be doable for you.

Bumblebeez, I’ve become immune to what’s in the room now as essentially everything there are placeholders, except the loveseats and wing chair.

Good call on the swag over the door, I haven’t even noticed that’s still there.

The room has been finished in fits and starts, so it’s why I need objective eyes. What kind of light would you suggest to replace the track light, which is a holdover from the previous owners. I know it has to go to but didn’t think it was a priority. You make a good point though, if it’s what grabbed your attention first. I’m limited by the line of sight for the TV so It would have to be a ceiling mount (no) or another tracklight.

i know the swag for the chandelier is unfortunate, BUT can’t see a way around that until I’m ready to replace the ceiling.

It can be a tough process to get those finishing touches just right. Take your time and relax.

Just some suggestions to try for your rooms. Move the love seats so they are in a "L" shape. Most likely, I would move the one on the door wall next to the other one so it faces the FP. Move the wing into the corner where the arc lamp is currently. It will open the room from the doorway. Don't squish the chair in the corner though.

Take out the small black cabinet, green shutter and miscellaneous things on left of FP. You could try the arc lamp in that corner. The green shutter can be painted in a complimentary color if you like it and want to use it somewhere.

The room has a lot of small items in it right now. Remove them and think larger scale items. Just be sure the new items aren't "over sized" either.

Take out the small round scroll-y table. You could place it behind the wing chair and put a small up light on it.

The gold picture and the round wall item are floating in there placements. There is nothing anchoring them to the space.

Try the gold picture over the wash stand. Can we see a straight-on pic of that wall? Is that a bay window in the DR? Move the settee to the window wall. Add a couple of colorful pillows that work with your paint color.

. Remember to have fun & play!

Lukkiirish, my idea was to use two types of tile. One, an eight inch square that would go in each corner, and the other a 3x12 grey distressed tile for the balance. One of the trims pictured. The square tile in the photo is broken.

The Designer at the tile store helped me with those selections and suggested I lay this honeycomb sample on the floor in front. I’m not convinced.

Beaus Rose, horrors, no, everything in the living area other than the loveseats and the wing chair are not meant to stay. They’re just there for practical reasons until I get it set up.

Here are additional Dining room photos. The settee can’t go On the wall where the washstand is now because it’s too tight. The settee used to be in my bedroom where there was really no place for it either, and so I brought it in here thinking maybe it would work. And maybe it would be better if the table was a different shape. The Settee is an expensive piece that I had a perfect spot for, about two houses ago. I’ve held onto it because i do like it, and could never sell it where I live for nearly what it’s worth but maybe it’s time.

Do you like the settee down by the table?

If you can fit it elsewhere in the house and you don't actually need it in the dining part of the room, I'd remove it.

Leave either side of the fireplace open and look for a couple of matching bookcases? If I do put furniture in there, do they have to match? I looked at an IKEA unit that is almost exactly the same size as the nook on each side of the fireplace, but I'm stuck there too because I'm thinking maybe "almost" wouldn't look right either; that it should be a complete fit or something much smaller.

I like the idea of bookcases in there. I agree with lukkirish's idea of taking your time to achieve the look you want and had hoped for, even if it means waiting to save to do the work.

That said, I do like the Ikea units, and yes, you, or someone you hire if you're not at all handy, can make the Ikea units look built-in, which will help and will be MUCH cheaper than the cost of built-ins. Do you have any handy friends or relatives?

Very pretty, the decorative tiles tell me why you like the idea of the tin. Besides the floor, is this just for the surround or were you going to put the tile elsewhere on the fireplace itself? Maybe you can solicit suggestions here for ideas. Something similar that would require less cuts, the more the cuts, the heftier the price tag.

The tile is just under the mantle. On top is another problem, I.e. doors. sigh.

Rebecca, I kind of like the idea of having the extra seating, the settee just doesn’t fit, that said, have you considered building in a window bench there?

It would make for great storage, add some character and if you ever needed to, you could always use it as a banquette, leaving more floor room for the living area.

For the living room ceiling fixture, you might want to take a look at the Feiss Peyton flush mount, which I think would go with your more traditional/antique furnishings,

http://www.feiss.com/21524/2---Light-Peyton-FM354BK.html

Not sure if you have enough space with the television (11.5") for something like this fixture,

https://www.savoyhouse.com/melrose-semi-fush-977

Rebecca, I'm wondering if a rectangular table would be a better fit, literally and figuratively, in the dining area and allow the settee to coexist better.

I had some IKEA units (matching) flanking my fireplace at my last tiny house. I think that is a great idea and if you ever get enough dough for built-ins you can take the IKEA stuff apart and move elsewhere or sell. Love your dining room chandelier!

I don't think it's that hard to move the swag, the ceiling hole can be repaired, it's really not that big of a deal and would make a huge difference. It's hard to see things the way others view them but that's why we are here!

Curious, if you arrange your sofas into an 'L' arrangement, how much room will be left for a walk way?

I’ve got this far and it’s starting to come together. I will look for bookcases for the left side of fireplace (and might actually already own something I can make work) and then something complimentary for right side of the fireplace. What’s here now will not be staying.

I can go ahead and order a rug now that I’ve settled on the furniture placement.

I’ve got a slipcover on that wing chair but now that things are coming together I think the original pattern will be fine so I will remove the slipcover. I have a matching chair for it so I’ll bring that in, for the other side of the table by the window.

I’ve got an idea to temporarily make the fireplace frame somewhat acceptable for the holidays, come January we can decide the permanent solution.

Chijim, as you can see There’s not a lot of room but I think it meets the minimum.

I’m still playing around with the settee in the other end of the room and will post pictures once every re-arranged it. I’d like to get rid of it but there’s no room anywhere else for it at the present time.