Thank you for the ideas! I am able to keep some heavy appliances under the work table, -karemore55-, the ones the 2 year old cannot pull out. I could keep the coffee maker, but I am trying to drink less... And I am writing this while I drink the second cup of the day. I like the idea of a shelf made of wood like your said -marleneM-, the one there now is very oxidized. I can use it as a base and add wood around. I will think about it and if the self up there is not in the way, then I'll make it nicer. I will take a break now. See if somebody help me with the light fixture. Find out about the butcher block. Paint the second coat on the cabinets. The prep work... And maybe I will even cook. I'll still be reading comments and looking for ideas.

Dunno if this is a weird idea… but I will throw it out there. Get 3 pieces of wood painted black and affix them to the face of the podium (construction adhesive) with the upper edge about 3/4 or so of an inch higher than the current surface. Then fill the whole surface of the platform with loose polished black river stone like this stuff http://www.stonecontact.com/products-147696/black-river-stone I don't think it would be too tough to lightly vacuum once in a while to keep clean.. and would be an easy transformation with a surface that is not going to suffer in any way.

I've been tied up with travel and Thanksgiving so just getting back to all these great suggestions. To answer the questions about the tv, there is a nickel size hole in the mortar that the cords are fed through. Directly behind that section of the fireplace is a built in hutch of sorts in our office so our players and sound system are in that hutch. The speakers are wired through the attic. The big "black thing" by the curtain is the subwoofer. It would certainly be nice to leave the tv where it is because of the risk of it heating up if it were too close to the opening and the current ease of hiding the other devises. I'll have to post a pic tomorrow of the office - hutch is in an exposed brick wall on back side. I just recently checked out R and B and loved their furniture options. I need to go back when I don't have little kids with me. It was super busy since it's only open on weekends. Definitely the right look and feel and the leather is easier to maintain with our Brittany spaniel who thinks he owns the place. ;)

I'm for a hot contrasting color but I think white would be okay if you got colorful upholstery. Looking into the room you'd just see an outline of white against the blue walls and mostly the fabric. You could leave the woven part natural and just do the wood in white or a color. Here are few pics I found with contrast that might help you visualize it?