Here's something. The shoe rack in the entry closet...art is the purple line. Fireplace/TV is the red in the niche.

My sketch of the concept:

The entry rug, the console table, and the indoor tree provide a nice line of sight from the front door. Is that a window? If so, adjust size and position but keep the tree.

thanks! we thought about fireplace in the niche as well, but was concerned that area is a high traffic area - e.g. it's a little weird to walk in front of the fireplace to go to the dining room.

My pkeasure.

I considered the foot traffic in front of the TV and came to the conclustion that on big game days, people would have to wait for the play to be over to cross by.

Here is an alternative...

There is no access to the seating. How many do you need to sit?

Put a bookcase in the niche. and go with your original seating with the TV across from it.