Personally, I think there are too many tables (and cabinets) lining the walls as you walk in. Maybe replace the demi-lune table with a chair and a round table or a floor to ceiling picture gallery? Over each table, you currently have one rectangular piece of art. Make a variety of vignettes. Hang art in a grid over one...layer art and mirrors, like suggested above, over another. Open the secretary and place a banker's lamp and a small wood desk chair at an angle in front. A Persian rug, about 3/4ths the width of the entryway, would be a warm welcome, too.

How about putting your little glass/iron table between the sofa/chair arms. I have that same little table at the end of my couch. You could put a plant on it. I found mine handy for a cup of coffee or the book I am reading. I would put nothing in the spot where your table is now. On the other side I would put the branches in the corner with the little table grouped nearer it.

Installing a 72" mantel leaves about 5 1/2 inches on either side, using a 60" mantel would leave 11 1/2 inches on each end. Since the fireplace is 36 inches wide, the 5 ft mantel would provide a balance of 1 ft of mantle space on either side of the firebox, while the 6 ft mantel would provide 1.5 ft of mantle space on either side of the firebox. I have a 3 ft wide mirror that I want to place on the mantel also. Still unsure what will look best, but the 6 ft mantel definitely provides more room for mantel decor. Still unsure, plus another question is how deep should shelf be?

I'm planning an island in our kitchen renovation and it sounds like you have plenty of space. We have 48 inches at our ends and then 84 inches to split for the parallel sides. My island is currently 8.5 feet by 42 inches.... I could reduce to 36 inches wide and then have 90 inches to split. Although I really like the look of 42 inch wide. If you live close to ikea that is a good spot to go view kitchens with varying isle space. 40 inches looks plenty to me and 42 is huge. If your wall us gone get boxes and map it out. You really need to a visual. Good luck! Let us know what you de use.