stand here and take a picture straight ahead (or is that kind of what pic 2 shows?

do you need a dining table next to windows? (pretend this is a table!)

That is the photo from where you are standing looking into my dining area. The narrow area behind the fireplace is ok narrow for a table ... more of a quaint sitting area.

This is area I need most help with although help with entire living area is necessary.

That arrow points to dining area just past my little sitting space

Beth how do you envision the rest of the space, really ? On the other side of fireplace too. I’m going to white wash the brick and keep bluestone natural blue.

I love that first pic I posted w/the white brick.

what's your decor?

look at vintage brick two sided fireplaces and get some ideas (try pinterest or here on houzz)

A floor plan is what I would need and the the first thing is find a new home for the TV on a wall somewhere.The plan you posted is hard to read measurements and hard to get a feel for where the entry is . I think I would be looking into removing that FP

After white washing the fireplace, I would prob add drywall on one side and put the TV there- then it would feel like a more like a cozy half-alcove instead of an awkward fireplace in the middle of the room.

I agree with Beth. Re-clad that fireplace so if feels more like a room divider. I think it would look cleaner if it's done with sheetrock as Beth shows, but you could also do large format porcelain tile. See a couple of examples, below:

I think the TV belongs on the wall this room shares with the kitchen.

I wouldn't rip out the fireplace unless you're prepared to redo the roof and the floor. You certainly could clad it, but I like the vibe of the brick and think whitewashing it would look good.

I'd reserve the back side of the fireplace as a place to enjoy the view with a cup of coffee or glass of wine, just an informal sitting area for two.

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><md>To give you more of a perspective, my front door is right beside the stairs.

Two reasons I did not put the TV on either of the two adjacent walls in this space is

1. Walking in the door and seeing the back of a couch, whether it be sectional or stand alone, I don’t know. Feel like it wouldn’t vibe too well. Always thought it made sense to have couches against the wall in L shape.

2. I have yet to re do kitchen. Thinking about maybe opening it up in the future. But I guess I can deal with the re arrangement of that at a later point

Front door

I'd rather walk in and see the back of a couch or chairs than a TV too high on a fireplace.

There's something 'fitting' for tv there because of the various dark slate pieces...

Valid point. And it’s why I bought a samsung frame TV. Looks like a piece of art when not in use.

And my wife has been considering moving the TV to wall. Thank you for advise.

Front entry is on other side of house - you walk in, face left. Standing there you see out windows and fp is in right part of vision....Behind fp seems a 'dead end' with no necessary traffic going through...?

Interesting to close off next to fp so there are 2 rooms...? as you enter house do you like seeing through the windows / will they be fairly covered up for privacy?

Chill-out space with a game table in a distinct activity zone.

https://www.houzz.com/magazine/play-up-rooms-with-game-tables-stsetivw-vs~2115084

In corner, I see a round table to soften many angles in fp and windows too.

Too much in front or side of fp? paint is grey?

https://www.houzz.com/products/wild-white-horses-painting-print-on-wrapped-canvas-60x40-prvw-vr~94670565

https://www.houzz.com/products/kaleen-hand-tufted-montage-collection-rug-8x10-prvw-vr~47987905

For corner? with simple linen color chairs to blend in.

https://www.houzz.com/products/safavieh-mnc206-7r-monaco-synthetic-power-loomed-eclectic-area-rug-67-round-prvw-vr~43173542

Called Adirondack style, but this could be a dressier color... is like wall paint?

https://www.houzz.com/products/safavieh-adirondack-woven-rug-silver-black-10-round-prvw-vr~43195478

https://www.houzz.com/products/english-meadow-embroidered-pillow-prvw-vr~52871971

https://www.houzz.com/products/bandhini-drapery-curtain-panels-brick-red-prvw-vr~66991244

I 'vote' no for any built in because you might find versatile pieces better.