Your fireplace stone is gorgeous. I agree with the other posters : lay something dark at the floor like soap stone tiles or slate and paint the fire box doors with high temp spray to get rid of the gold.

Quick comment at nave next to fireplace. What about sitting a desk type chair at the table there and make an interesting writing/reading space?? Try removing 3 pictures at side and replace with maybe a coordinating picture above fireplace. Would make look like one large fireplace.

Since the fireplace, TV viewing and outside landscape are all priorities, I feel that sofas and angled furniture take up more space. Is the fireplace the third priority? For the best use of space maybe ...

Floor Plan #1
Get a gate to run the total length of the danger zone at the staircase
- purchase another folding screen, place next to the existing one for a backdrop for the white sofa
To create an L-shape grouping
- white sofa in front of screens, straight on facing the window view.
- TV on the large wall in the center
- move large painting to brick fireplace
- brown sofa facing the TV, at right angle to white sofa
- chair opposite the white sofa angled to TV, similar to same location but closer to center of window.
- move large armoire right side of the fireplace
- place the table (that's near fireplace) as a sofa table behind the brown sofa (could use as a desk there also)
- two small pouffs or storage ottomans on the fireplace hearth for extra seating
- a 4 ft plant at the left of fireplace corner that opens to dining room (if there is space)
- coffee table at white sofa
- end table at chairside with a lamp on top
- use the left and right side of the TV wall space for collages of family photos or two large artworks

I don't think you will be blocking much of the outside view with only a chair. When you watch TV, sofas and chair allow good viewing. When you are relaxing and enjoying the window view, you would have both sofas to view from. The room will seem more comfortable and an overall nicer visual. It's difficult. It looks like the fireplace may have to take third place priority.

If you want to try the arrangement that I mentioned above. We would love to see if it works.

Floor Plan #2 . Another option would be to ..

- place the TV on the fireplace and arrange furniture accordingly.
- an L-shape, place the white sofa on the large wall
- long table behind it, can still use it as a desk also. Leave the room for it. The sofa will come into the room further and closer to the TV if moved to fireplace wall
- brown sofa in front of the screens
- chair at the window angled to fireplace.

This would really open the room a lot and all three priorities of fireplace, TV, and window view work great. The armoire on the right side of fireplace could house the TV components etc.

LB, I like your first suggestion for furniture arrangement. It appears the fireplace is all by its lonesome on the other side of the stairs, so I don't think your second suggestion would work. But with the first arrangement, some poufs or small chairs by the fireplace could create a small conversation/reading/getting-toasty area.

I like the natural look but would update the fireplace surround, add a thin piece of granite or quartz of a neutral/complimentary color to the mantel shelf to really dress it up. Last, make your new fireplace the focal point by arranging the room so that everyone can enjoy. You may also want to change the tile in front to give it a softer look and better flow.

Maybe, I'm not sure Grover, hard to see the spacial perspective. Probably would need more photos. Maybe we'll see then. Difficult at this point.

Change the fire place screen

LB interiors, what do you think? The large armoire that is now behind the sofa is built in...but I tried to take your other tips. Let me know if I should make other changes :) it is an improvement

This is a problem room with three focal points, two of them immovable and opposite each other. The new arrangement now cuts off the fireplace completely. (Also, the photo on the mantel really is too large, but that can be dealt with later.)

Could you put the TV on the right corner of the window angled toward the room, then arrange the seating on the blank wall and in front of the stairs? Make it so every seat in the house has a view of two focal points--either the window and TV, or the TV and fireplace.

Can the TV go on the wall next to the fireplace where the plant is now? Then you could arrange the furniture so that you can see both the TV and fireplace at once......

Hi, I like it a lot. Great job and thanks for trying this! How do you feel about it? Difficult with two opposing focal points. I think it's your best option. If a TV is placed on the right of the windows, it would be directly in front of the window and be awkward angled with the TV back facing the small chair and table set.

The art is too large, place it on the right in the niche on that wall and get a mirror for the fireplace wall.

Just a tweak and move the TV to the left a bit, opposite the center of the brown sofa. Center to center of both pieces.

a very effective fireplace redo: http://www.eastcoastcreativeblog.com/2012/11/brass-fireplace-update.html

fireplace redo is great! the planters in the stair divide could host some tall indoor plants, then put obstacles in front of the rock wall to make children stay away from area... ( they will grow up before you can blink, then you can do whatever you wish...

Another couple of thoughts. I can't tell what you have behind the screen. In place of the screen, maybe you could purchase a bookcase unit with a back and open shelving. The same height as the built-in armoire. Same color. The length wide enough to accomodate the white sofa and staircase lengths. Use both as a backdrop to the sofa. It provides a clean level horizontal line in the same coloring. Or... since the screen is same height as the armoire, spray paint the screen the golden color in the armoire.

Do you have a shallower console table to use behind the brown sofa? It would give you more walkway space.

Thoughts .. If it works better for you, you can move the console table back on the right side of the fireplace. Add 3 floor plants that are 3' - 4' high behind the sofa. Vary their heights. I like a sofa that is open to other spaces that is backed by something. or .. maybe you have a chest or toy box chest or cabinet (narrower than the console table) to place behind the sofa for toy and game storage for the children.

Lb interiors, what do you think of this table behind the couch? We are still finishing the painting (bottom not done) but it is a better size. I think the fireplace looks stark with the mirror, maybe I should get a bright print? Do you like that size? Thanks again for your expertise and help!

I didn't see it mentioned, but why not bring two focal points together and put the tv over the fireplace? It appears smaller than the B&W print? I just did this and was able to secure a wallmount bracket using special fasteners just into the mortar and didn't have to drill into the bricks so it was "reversible".

I too really like the stonework...IMHO, your stonework is nicer than the aggressive brass allows visually...a black surround imho would really make it a stronger and easier focal point to play with? ex [houzz=]

Hi, yes that table works much nicer. I like it. The mirror over the fireplace may work if you paint the gold metal firebox black or bronze. Or, you could paint the mirror frame a mahogany, cherry color. Once accessories are on the mantle. it will look different. Maybe you can put some accessories up. Do you have candleholders, vases, sculptures or special things you've collected? A big round colorful plate?

I mentioned the 2nd option above for a floor plan by placing the TV above the fireplace. Is that something that you definately do not want to do?

Another idea. Under the narrower console table, you could add two square storage ottomans for kids stuff or blankets. They woud provide extra seating for large gatherings.

Hello! I like the idea of moving the tv to the fireplace,but I don't think my husband would go for it... He likes to face the view when watching tv. The new layout is great! I really love it!
I will have to search for some accessories on the mantle, I have lots of things but not sure what would look good... Do you like how I have arranged the items on the armoire?

Nice. I like the three vases. Maybe move the fan to the right on the bookcase. Place the family photo on the wall where the sunset pic is. Hang lower on the wall, about 14" from the top of the bookcase.

Thanks for all you help and tips LB!!!

Sorry, 14" above the bookcase.

You're very welcome!

About the TV on fireplace wall. That is .. the very best solution to have an open view of the fireplace and all the furniture would be directed to all the areas needed. The poor fireplace is so neglected and it is the primary structure in any room.

All major furniture pieces are always directed to it in some way. Secondary chairs are many times placed on the sides facing away from it but toward the sofas. Just wondering if hubby could imagine it that way, as if the mirror were the TV.

When we watch our TVs, we're watching and not usually viewing in any other direction at the same time. When we want to view something else, we seat ourselves for better viewing to that direction and usually not much attention on anything else. Just a thought.

I'm so happy the new floor plan is working for you!

Accessories. Maybe you can group then on a table or the floor. Take a photo and let me see what you have? or a few photos if you don't want to take them away from another location.

I agree that placing the TV on the fireplace wall makes the most sense. It could be placed on a swivel stand so that it could be angled to suit the viewer. You could also consider a small entertainment armoire that could be closed when not in use. And, I have yet to meet a man who is thinking about the view when the football game is on!

The candleholders in the oriiginal photo will work on the fireplace mantle.

After looking around, I seem to only have vases, picture frames and elephant wooden statues (I guess that has been my go to purchase when traveling). I think I will go searching for some unique items at the store. Any ideas??

I will talk to my hubby tonight about moving the tv, I think I can convince him:). If I do move it to the wall, then how do I arrange the room???

Look at the #2 floor plan that I mentioned above. I may have another idea. I'll think about it.

I just wanted to let you know that painting the fp trim is really easy - I purchased a high temperature flat black paint and redid ours from gold to black in just an hour or so, with most of the time being spent taping off the glass and the brick. Made a HUGE difference right away. Of course if you are going to get a whole new insert for efficiency reasons, that would work too, but cost more $$. I also love the suggestions for a dark wood mantle and slate floor tiles too.

Hi groveraxle! we are now beginning our fireplace renovation, do you think we could also add a wood mantle to the picture that you created?

hellotara, I've cleared off your mantel and gotten rid of the blower so you could see just the fireplace. I also painted the doors black. Here's a version plain, one with a reclaimed timber, and one with a full surround.

FTR, I like the plain one best.

Your firepl is not that bad. It's the screen with the brass has to go. All black. Walls could be painted a bolder color you have no contrast between FP and wall color. What other colors are in room?

Change out tile on floors to a slate. Lowes, carries nice colors. Then on mantel, could change mantel out to a thicker maybe reclaimed wood, to add bulk to FP. Picture and items on it are not working . I have a feeling this whole room is beige

Thank you for the great ideas!! I like the wood mantle and I like the idea of painting the whole room a better color. What wall color would look good with the brick??

I have the same stone fireplace in my home. It covers the entire wall. I also had a brass glass door surround almost identical to yours. I removed the brass surround and replaced it with a new black glass and door surround. The black surround itself is thin with 2 doors of glass, not 2 bifold doors with 2 panes of glass per door. I like this look very clean; the surround does not compete with the stone, which I think is lovely. I hired a company to do this. They came out and removed old surround and cleaned the fireplace stone removing any soot. Some was impossible to remove as the brass surround had been in place over 25 years. As you can see from the picture, I don't think it looks bad. The house is 50 years after all!

We often do fireplaces. However, we often tear out the existing and replace with a new fireplace insert & stone.

Joy, your fireplace looks great!

What color should I paint the wall that would contrast with the stone?

Color for wall next to fireplace? Many alternatives for you to consider. Do what you like. Keep the color you have, change to another shade more in the same color family of the stone and do it in a darker shade, or pick up one of the accent colors in your room ( soft green? aqua? cinnamon? turquoise?) My stone tended to be on the pink side so I did not want to go with color on the wall in the same color family. How about a soft gray? You can't go wrong here. It is your home. You know your furniture and colors that you lean toward. Pick something that you like living with and will enhance your stone.