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The only pieces of furniture that look to be comfortable in that space are the huge carved hutch and the clock in the alcove! The rest of it looks too formal or like they just came from Grandma's house (which may be the case, as you hinted.) I like the few pieces of copper I see, and would consider adding more of that for a hint of rustic bling. I think the rugs are bringing the whole space down. They look washed out against the rich, dark floors. Color is missing too, but your upholstery plans sound like that is going to be a given. Since paint colors need to work with fabrics and textiles in a space, you can't really select that until all your upholstery work is done and new rugs are in place. There is too much knee-high stuff around the hearth; pare that back, as well as the little stuff lined up like soldiers on the mantel. I'd be looking for a great piece of art no wider than the firebox opening to hang 5" above the mantel. Chunkier decor pieces that can stand up to the heavy beams and stone will help it feel better. If the TV is hidden behind those doors on the right, I don't think that is working. Just expose it - it is expected and not necessarily an eye-sore. Personally, I would put that gorgeous hutch in the foyer to make a statement. On the wall where it is you may be able to angle the host chairs with a round table and a lamp for a nice reading area. I could go on, but I'll wait for your reaction.

Awesome suggestions! I like the idea of moving the hutch. The very dated rugs are from a cool 1909 craftsman mansion, where all my antiques worked. I'm not a great room fan, but it is what we have to work with. We don't have a TV, but would like to preserve the space for someone who does. The interior of the cabinet is not beautiful -- so what to do with those slab like doors?

Larger rugs? Smaller but more numerous? I'm looking for elegance and the whole space drags me down. I really don't like heavy or overstuffed -- any more suggestions would be greatly appreciated!! Looking for a pair of chairs to save this room (maybe swivel so you can turn between lake & fireplace). We need a hero!

What a great space. I'd love to refurnish the whole thing. Modern, lodgy style.

A beautiful home! I’d start with bright colored rugs, and a few huge chandeliers. I like the furnitures in there.

A great-looking space is like a great painting. As you look at it, the eye moves naturally from one beautiful part of it, to the next one.

In your room, the room itself and the view beyond are the beautiful things. In some ways, if you took everything out of the room, it would be more of a "wow". But of course, then you'd have nowhere to sit! But my point is that this room needs no "decor" items at all. Every unnecessary item distracts the viewer from enjoying the main show, the room structure and the view.

So, I'd remove everything that's sitting on top of a piece of furniture, including on top of the kitchen cupboards. Remove all the plants - the beautiful greenery is out of doors. Remove the little things sitting on the floor beside the grandfather clock. No wreaths to stop the eye from moving out of the window to the view, and no doily-like fabrics anywhere - they're completely the wrong tone. No bright red plant pots. No pops of color. You get the idea.

Your search for a "magic bullet" of chairs to add, will not bring you joy. You need to deduct, not add, to make this room better.

Consider hiring a cabinet maker to install something custom in the TV spot, perhaps lighted shelves for a special display of large items - a copper or pottery collection. Small rugs are a tripping hazard, so I'd stick with larger ones. The room is the star here, and the view is the wow, but you have to be comfortable in it. Are there rooms throughout the house where some of the antiques could be tucked into the decor? I think the lines of your pieces, especially the Queen Anne and the curves of the sofa, are just too feminine for the masculine room. However, I have some friends whose lodge if full of antiques, but its the scale that makes it work. Here are some pix.

Pattern isn't straight-striped, but craggy-natural like your surroundings maybe? has browned burgundy and deep color, but wakes up with lively green, orange. Wool.

https://www.houzz.com/products/momeni-delhi-dl-42-multi-area-rug-8x10-prvw-vr~17562655

Your sofa seems a blend, can't tell.... 2 chairs like this?

https://www.houzz.com/products/art-home-furnishings-epicenters-upholstered-wilsey-chair-prvw-vr~72006358

Pops of contemporary-type colors, e.g., lime-y might be enough.... instead of Danish or straight-lined furniture.

was pewter a thought of anyone's? not chrome certainly....

I'm not expert, but would flooring need a sanding? Considering a floor stain that's from massive fp - a stone color? more cool, and less deep than currently?

Could allow piano to 'show' better among so much wood around and above it.

You have to reflect some of the house - if keeping the golden - this would add something organic and somewhat striking, spreading out from fp:

https://www.houzz.com/products/surya-modern-classics-can-2031-8x11-parchment-dark-khaki-rug-prvw-vr~14881543

My last rug and Suzy's grey/greige wood floor photo - for your flooring --- but Idk about it with your furniture...? Suzy's called "Modern Antique room"

Your chandelier doesn't speak elegance, sorry. This is called "Colorado Springs" - you in CO.?! ;-)

not large probably... but is it a direction for bling of some kind?

https://www.houzz.com/products/feiss-colorado-springs-6-light-chandelier-chestnut-bronze-prvw-vr~49376517

Gold art for example.... or palette burnt orange/ a slightly muted green...

[https://www.houzz.com/products/threads-of-degas-girls-original-art-prvw-vr~26897493[(https://www.houzz.com/products/threads-of-degas-girls-original-art-prvw-vr~26897493)

I agree that the clutter and leggy small decor items are detracting from the space. And you seem attached to the great room furniture but I think the scale and visual presence are off. The pale colors and delicate legs are no match for the fireplace, windows and the impressive beams. As pictured above, I think a few pieces of impressive large furniture would be better than trying to add more undersized items to the space.

With some stuff removed, the focus becomes the beautiful fireplace. Before and after. Do this first before you go out and buy or change anything else.

Suzy's photo showed soft amber paint - Idk but if you don't change paint, what else but accessories... if you keep cream/gold furniture [and gold is nice with wood and black piano] how about this rug - too much pattern?

https://www.houzz.com/products/dynamic-rugs-blue-designer-line-area-rug-prvw-vr~40595345

Or solid rug by the fp, and what might blend over to the side.

This might be an idea for the TV spot if you could plan a bar there. Do you drink at all or entertain with liquor?

Oh you folks are so amazing!!! What great suggestions. My husband is stoked & just about to replace the TV cabinet with a lighted Scotch bar. Less is definitely more. Beautiful chandelier suggestion. You are so right!

Oh, we want to see that!!! Let him go for it!

I agree that removing the smaller/lighter weight pieces from the room would help. I would suggest removing the leggy table in your entrance and replace it with the more substantial drawer cabinet currently behind your sofa. Also the rocker upholstery doesn’t seem to go with the rug, and doesn’t seem heavy enough for the room. Could that move to a bedroom?

Rocket mentioned moving the cabinet behind your sofa. How about putting it where the carved hutch is if you move the hutch to the foyer? Then hang a good looking piece of art 5" above it. The art can be as much as 75% as wide as the cabinet.