I think I'd want a larger screen for the room with the TV. Maybe capture that space back into the room.

I don't really understand what's bothering you.

The "entertainment unit" looks to be repurposed closet, which seems like a perfectly fine use of the space, however outdated entertainment units may be. I wouldn't want to see the TV through the glass when the doors are closed, so if it were me I might apply some kind of window film to the doors.

Both items are newer additions and somewhat out of sync with the rest of the home — original floors, working cased doors, beautiful marble bathrooms.
Repaint the bookshelves? Add grass cloth at the back of the boxes? Leave the modernized cubes or rework as more classical? The closet is definitely odd, but I guess I need to find out if it is structural. I have no idea what to do with it.

If the ceiling is consistent throughout the house I would probably keep it. It may have been done later to cover cracks or something. The original ceiling probably would have been papered. This is "mop" or "stomp" texture.

Regularly spaced shelves would be fine but you will need a divider down the middle anyway to prevent sagging.

Did they salvage the baseboard around the entertainment closet from somewhere?

"Others than the stalactites on the ceilings,"=not even CLOSE! This is a knock down effect that really is a great way to hide what is no doubt a road map of cracks!!! I agree on the closet repurpose. Comes down to how YOU use that room/TV. In my home those doors would stand open sooooooo often they would be a PITB so might as well be removed when means that entire area needs a rework as a closet is counter indicated. The small doors on the bottom--doors with in doors??? Pass. I want it to be a pass through French doors to a lovely sun room.

Curious about the “entertainment closet.” It clearly looks like an add on. Can it be completely removed? What is immediately behind it? Is there another closet in the room behind it? A plain wall there would be nice. I would take out all the “modern” shelving and assess the space on either side of the beautiful fireplace. Lining the back of the recesses with grass cloth or painting them an interesting color might work. How much space do you have? Matching small bureaus with art above, lighting, etc. might be nice, but much depends on structure and size. I would probably go with more traditional built in cabinets with art hung above them, or placed on shelves. Again, with lights recessed in the niches. Beautiful home with lots of potential! Lucky you!

If possible, I would remove the closet. That will require a certain amount of patch and repair, but I think it would be worth it.

That entertainmemnt thing needs to be gone they are totally not needed anymore and for sure not in that house . I aslo think all thoce flimsy looking shelves look cheap and not a good idea in thet sapce with the nice trim work everyhwere else.

I would remove the closet completely, the room will feel so much larger

The built ins look like they were modeled on a west elm bookcase- fine in a different house but a bit odd here. Budget to replace with standard shelves?

The fireplace in the room with the tv cabinet- pop off those silly appliques- those are not original and detract from the lines of the fireplace.

Beautiful house, gorgeous proportions.

Get rid of the entertainment box-y thing. It looks like a mausoleum in the middle of the living room. Put the TV in a different space altogether. It really doesn't belong in a room like this.

And TV-as-living-room-focus may have become passé already, because we now have so many more options for visual technology. Now might be a good time to really think through how and where visual technology belongs in your home; this could inform your decision about that box-y mausoleum-y thing.

I don't think the bookcases are a problem at all. I think you'll find, as you look through period photos, that it was common to have bookcases.

However, the problem in this photo is the STUFF on the bookcases. There's too much, it doesn't fit the cubbies, not striking enough, etc. I would really think through what to put there. Have some key pieces and maybe light them so they really stand out.

If you want the shelves to look less 21st century, I think I'd remove the actual shelves and replace them. The wood should be thicker and not so machined-looking.

Put cabinets in the lower third of the bookcases. This isn't a study: it's a living room.

For bookshelf items, perhaps: an etching (edwardian cartoon?) in a nice frame on a 3-legged stand (so it's not at the back of the shelf); an inlaid tea caddy; aged photo of your current family in an antique frame; edwardian children's books (e.g. E Nesbit) or retro murder mysteries (Agatha Christie)...

One of my biggest problems with the bookcase room is the furniture: it's too big for the space. The couch is too long and the armchair too bulky. And with a couch that long, you've gotta have a long coffee table.... really altogether too much. Research side tables and coffee tables that get moved around.

I see chintz peeking out in one of the photos (with the bookcases). Chintz might not be a bad idea for that room in lieu of that HEAVY leather furniture, or maybe something washed-out shabby, or even a slip-covered couch in a boring brocade. The current looks to me looks more like "smoking room" furniture. Lighten up!

Put an oriental rug in front of the fireplace.

The wood bookcase in the room with the patterened rug should be moved to the right, centered in the space. The pictures above it are too small and/or should be spaced differently. IMO, it would be better to have something shorter or taller in that spot because it's too on a level with the mantlepiece.

Edwardians liked to merge indoors/outdoors. I would be sure to add some significant plants to the room!

I can't believe I just wrote all that! I grew up in this stuff...

Mausoleum:

Yeah it does seem a bit awkward and I too would think about removing.. How deep is it, how far does it stick out from the walls? Seems like a lot of wasted space only for one tv. Its odd that they would think this somehow this was a less obtrusive solution than merely sticking the tv on the wall or housing it in an armoire. I think a hundred years after the invention of TV even we antique and old house lovers are used to seeing TVs and dont feel the need to hide them away and pretend they havent been invented.

But first think hard whether you need any storage function there? They did do a pretty good job with matching trim and everything. f you need storage of colllectibles, art pieces or whatnot.... maybe the door could be widened to full width and make it library shelving with three or four glass doors....

So those are MLS listing photos. The back of that closet/entertainment center is the wall of the dining room with the two framed posters. Apparently there is electrical and HVAC in that wall. The kitchen runs along the back of the house and shares the long wall opposite the pine shelf. I am pretty sure the sides of the mausoleum are needed to keep the second floor in place. What do you think about a “closet” office or butler’s pantry within those walls?

As others have said the entertainment "closet" should be removed if possible. Is there anything structural about because it appears to have been framed out at same point.

You can hang the television set on the wall and have some kind of attractive cabinet below for any storage.

The shelves on either side of the fireplace are what they are. If you remove everything from them they can be styled either attractively or not. Functionally I think a combination of open shelves for displays and closed cabinets to hide things is the most functional and aesthetic choice.

I don't know what you mean by the stiletto?

Stiletto? I think the OP said stalactite, referring to the heavily textured ceiling. (Stalactites are the formations that hang down from a cave ceiling.)

Beautiful house!

@N Johnson

I LOVE the idea of a closet office in the mausoleum. It would be a fresh and contemporary idea, while still keeping your supports under the 2nd floor.

Thank you, Tangie! I happen to have some old five panel doors from a Craftsman cottage — I wonder if I can sub those in for the glass doors. Cross my fingers that the measurements work.