The space already seems so open - what are you trying to accomplish by taking down the fireplace (and having to re-do the floors as a result)?

I’d be thinking more about purchasing some furniture.

here’s the kitchen and breakfast nook which seem very separated and alone. i’d like to have a more open flow.

Definitely need furniture. we just moved in. couches coming!

room is 17 w x 20’long

Your house will be unpleasantly noisy, especially with the higher ceiling. I would not do it.

Live in your home for 12 months before you make any drastic changes. It's a perfectly lovely home.

The brick seems like the only architectural feature with character and adds a lot to the space. I'd live with it like it is and then see after 6 months what you think of it. Your dog is beautiful and I'd like to swim in the pool!

I would leave it alone. Looking at your kitchen is not a great look from a living room. Kitchens sometimes get messy, and thats not what I would want a guest looking at when sitting in my living room.

here’s the view out from kitchen. you can see living room and breakfast nook

Maybe a frame TV on a feature wall

I love that the dogs have taken each other’s dog bed.! Power play 😀

Have you ever lived in a home THAT open concept? I might visit a few or talk to those that have before I removed that wall. Open is nice but a view to all all the time loses privacy and separation when it is preferred. 100% put the TV to the left of the fireplace and orientate the room toward both!!!

I would leave the fireplace as it is....just clean up the brick so that it looks pretty.

I never like kitchens open to LRs and I think the FP is interesting I have no idea of your style since what I see is pretty much nothing. I assume this is anew to you space so no wall removal before your have a much better idea of how this space functions. I will need to see the sofas when they arrive that might give us a bit of an idea of your style . I think anew space needs to be lived in for at least 6 months to even beging to know what needs change. I see a lot of clutter and bookshelves filled with stuff that does no need display is IMO a lot worse than an interesting FP.

What is on the other side of the wall where the glass uppers are near the breakfast nook in the last pic you posted? While I’d leave the brick wall, I wonder if you can take out that section of cabinet and whatever is behind it and create an open breakfast nook and kitchen combo. It seems pretty chopped up back their.

Can you post a simple sketch of the layout of the space?

the pantry is behind the cabinets. but you bring up an interesting idea! thanks