@Kris McGinn Like this?

Please pay attention to BeverlyFLAdeziner. 99% of the time she is 100% right!!

@heatherlyman yes, that's exactly what I was thinking! Wow! You are good at the drawings and so fast!

But would that work for you, Dear Hubby, your teen, and the gangs of guests?

Does my name show up as Kris McGinn? Or are you just excited about this project? 🤭 I ask because my name was showing up different to different people once before.

If you like the arrangement and there's room for it, would you find a slim console useful? Either behind the sofa or near the table on the wall that has the TV currently? I was thinking behind the sofa. It could hold snacks, or pretty flowers, or could even hide a couple stools for when the gang comes over and serve as extra TV seating. Mostly I was thinking snacks. I don't know... It has to feel right for you, and there has to be room.

@k123 Thanks for the ideas. Not sure if you are Kris McGinn but this is what I saw:

You’ve gotten great layout ideas. I’m just here to say your fireplace is lovely. The wall color is probably not doing the stone work justice, so consider that to be your next project (after moving around the furniture).

I also think your rug is a bit too large. Maybe something to enhance the colors in the room more (?)

Thanks @RedRyder I’m getting advice from Maria Killam’s team for new paint for the whole house. Can’t wait yo see what they suggest since they focus on undertones and cohesiveness. The current psint is a green beige and there’s a lot of green grey and brown in the stone so it seems like they should go together (to me). Im no expert tho!

Still trying to find a rug to make the room look better.

I would place another sofa on the other side if you have enough space to have a more symmetrical layout. Perhaps even curved sofas, if the current sofa side allows for it. Paint the wood on the fireplace darker and the walls (and ceiling) another colour (looks like a warm grey would fit better). I think, the current wall colour clashes with the fireplace and the rest of the furniture. I would choose a brighter carpet and add a accent colour with window treatment, cushions and accessoiries

Let us know the wall colors they recommend!

I think Kris is a K with the numbers 123 and I am the letters kl with 23. Just don't call me late for dinner! 🤭

How did the furniture rearranging go? Did it tire you put? What did you learn? Have any pictures? Or maybe you haven't done it yet? Sorry... Don't mean to be pushy. Just curious.

@kl23 I didn't physically rearrange it. Only used the pictures. I'm not quite sold on the other layout. Still may talk my husband into mounting the tv on a mantle mount to the fireplace above the mantle. Did you see my edit to my original post above with a new photo?

The one where you added the orange rug?

@kl23 Yes, the orange rug.

@HU-608346701 Check out the edit to my original post where I put a brighter rug. I think it works!

@heatherlyman I do like how the bright rug color brings out the wood window frames and mantle. It also makes the stone look more beautiful. I'd really like to see the picture go away. A lot of times we see posts where a person says they don't like an element in the room when there's nothing wrong with the element; rather the rest of the room doesn't fit it. You show that by your new rug picture. When you get the rug color to bring out the woodwork, the beautiful glow of the wood also brings out a similar color in part of the stone. I think this room was made for a color scheme of honey/caramel and charcoal/black as a background to deep green house plant(s) and a spark of red at times. I see you are trying lots of rug colors now. Stick with one that matches the wood color of your mantle and windows. But it's great that you are trying different things!

Rather than hiding the stone fireplace, I think your best bet is to use it to direct other choices. You said you were going to recover the accent chair. And you like neutrals. Depending on placement, what about a leather in black or English tan?

I know we mustn't mess with Dear Hubby's chair, but it does look a bit worn. He likes leather too, I see. An English tan might wear better than black for his big chair. And recliners don't have to be big and bulky looking to be big and comfy. I work outside too and hard physical work that wears out the summer help, so I know the importance of a comfy chair. But he likes a sort of contemporary look and that can be had in a recliner.
And everyone loves the sofa, but it is rather heavy looking where it is. However, that's the perfect look for placement as a divider in this room arrangement. And the sofa color is a bit off with the fireplace, but won't matter as much if it's placed on the other end of the room like in this photo. Plus, replacing your throw pillows with charcoal colors would go a long way towards helping it relate to the fireplace and creating contrast that will visually reduce its bulk. Try adding some like you did with the rugs and see.

I'm thinking if you try this arrangement, maybe recovering the accent chair in black leather would be best, but when that is done they will first refinished the wood frame. Have them restain it the blend with your mantle and window trim. Maybe not match but blend with a caramel color. That will really set off the black leather and both will sing with the stone. If placed as in the attached picture, maybe a coordinating foot rest? Not bulky though... Should have legs. Also a little side table, stacking maybe, and again, not bulky. Could be a lovely spot to sit and rest. Early morning cuppa, evening glass of wine... And could always be pulled into the TV area on occasion.

Also, I can't remember if you've purchased the table or if you will do that only if you change to the attached arrangement. If you do, you might like to have an area rug under it and a contemporary light fixture above it.

Could you post a picture of the wall with the front door, looking from the fireplace? I'm wondering if that wall could have a dark background if you did decide to place the TV there... to help it blend in.

Geez... I just noticed your beautiful flooring. It's the perfect color.

Yes! This feels more like it. More contemporary.

If you want to keep the sofa, choose a rug that fits the colour temperature. I think the yellow one is too warm although it is beautiful. How about something like this:

https://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/Home-Garden/Alexander-Home-Charlotte-Modern-Abstract-Area-Rug/33416089/product.html?refccid=MC5OABNLMCOJJ62FP6W5KVBJZE&option=62469304&osp=true&lyceumGuid=d2303595-f4fc-45b7-844c-b2f3d9987421&searchidx=20

I love the first changed pic with the orange rug!

Bringing in that terra-cotta/orange rug really helps the room! Starts to pull everything together with the woodwork the mantle and even the colour in the stone. Amazing!

I painted the room slightly less yellow, the wood on the fireplace slightly grayer and put in a different rug. I think even with this terrible quality (I'm not really an expert on picture editing ;)), it looks much more harmonious and welcoming.

@ HU-608346471 and @kl23

That's for all your comments and efforts! That's a nice neutral rug you suggested from BBB that seemingly goes with everything. I'm struggling because it still looks bland to me and I like to look at something beautiful in the room and don't find anything that eye-catching and do like the art vs. the stone or tv to look at since you can see it from everywhere in the room. (Note that the front door is on the same plane of the house as the reclining chair, not on the side of the house where the dining room table is.) Of course there is beauty outside our windows and we are SO incredibly lucky. For those folks that love our stone, I'm so glad, I just don't find it interesting enough as my focal point but it could be that I've just been looking at it for 18 years.

The mantle is easy enough to stain to blend in better to the fireplace (with husband buy-in) but I don't think I'm going to paint the wood trim since the wood blinds are the same color and I'm not painting those. I suppose I could replace those too tho in time. I don't really want to make the room darker with paint. I'm looking for fresher, not darker. I really like what you did with the lighter paint color in your mock-up and that's where I was headed but still waiting to hear back from the Maria Killam team for paint suggestions.

I may have to somehow convince my husband to just drywall the top part of the fireplace which may, if I catch him at the right time, start a discussion about modernizing the fireplace and tv placement as well. To move the tv above the fireplace will have to involve him and rewiring and drilling thru the stone. mmmm12COzone5 suggested trying the tv on the hearth to see if we like that room/viewing configuration but I remembered the pilot light on the fireplace keeps the fireplace warm which isn't good for the tv. I may be able to turn off the pilot light.

I find that the configuration of the couch by the bar is a bit congested and tight but you're absolutely right that it takes the focus off the couch/fireplace and potential mismatch and heaviness. It would be nice to mix up the configuration on a whim. Maybe I can hire someone to put a cable jack in that corner where the dining table is now, which would be easy enough to then 'try' the configuration on my husband. Then it's a whole different lighting configuration needed but that's easy and inexpensive too. I have to say, I do like to sit on the couch and talk to people in the kitchen without having a big bar in the way which I wouldn't be able to do with the back of the couch to the kitchen and being so close to the bar, you wouldn't be able to see over. (The dual-level bar is outdated but my husband has said it will be a loooong time before we update that.)

The recliner definitely needs to be replaced and I'm going to take that fabric off that I just put on as a stop-gap to keep from showing how worn it is from me not staying on top of cleaning it (but now it just looks ridiculous). It is dark brown, not black, leather. I will have a discussion with him as to how attached he is to that style. I think it's a classic style that is big and 'heavy' like the couch. I'll try to do more mock-ups to play around with color of couch, pillows (as suggested), rugs and alternative coffee tables. I think a lighter, more sculptural coffee table in the center could make a big difference as would a nicer looking tv console similar to the cabinet in the photo below in the room with the cloud art.

Again, I love how below they make the fireplace fade away and the focus is on the sculptural c-shaped marble table, artistic and bright pillow fabric. The wainscoting is also a beautiful blue (carpet is sage, couches are slate) and there's another fun cabinet element next to the fireplace to look at as well as the clouds art.

I think an orange rug may get me through for now.

You can suspend the tv from the ceiling. A ceiling mount - and that way you don’t have to damage the stone. TV will still appear to be over the fireplace and it essentially will be - but suspended from the ceiling. I know the wall and ceiling there are slanted, but it can still be done.

You want to believe what you want to believe - but the existing stone is not dated and it is really the best feature in your room. Stone is the material of castles and fortresses. Dismantling the fireplace stone so that you can hang a tv or art on a piece of drywall is really not going to improve the space.

You have a beautiful home, gorgeous windows and views of nature. Your husband likes the stone as is which should count for something, in and of itself. But the fact is he just has better taste than you do. You came here to get support for your plan to trash the stone but so far, you are not getting it here.

Bringing in some orange is a good idea. I also liked the red Persian one you photoshopped into the room.

I would find a more interesting orange rug. Something that leans Southwestern will complement the fireplace. Here are a couple of ideas.

Two more.

Thanks @RedRyder. Southwestern (or Moroccan for that matter or anything like Southwestern or Moroccan) are styles my husband particularly dislikes.

Hi heatherlyman, I totally understand your concerns. Looking at the picture with the marble table, I think symmetry would make a big difference (did you consider a second sofa?). I also would consider painting the stone, if there is no other possibility. It really seems to be the thing that bugs you most and it does not help if other people like it, but you don't.

Paint! always the best option !let me show you my before & after.the bottom is howit looked like when we bought it. top is the after!

There will be a gas shut off valve in the fireplace that is pretty accessible. I always have them turn the gas off when I rent a hotel/condo with a gas fireplace since I can't stand the smell of the burning gas.

Consider not having a coffee table unless it is regularly used for something other than holding decorations.

If the trim matches your blinds I agree I would just put that painting concept right off the table. Go for the rug first…I found it made a huge difference in your mock up. And maybe the two chairs, the worn recliner and then the one with all the pattern on it which seems like a one off that doesn’t work all that well.

I wouldn’t put the TV on the fireplace I think the TV is fine where you have it and you’ve got the room set up to accommodate it. Sometimes there has to be a bit of compromise!

Heatherlyman, have you tried squaring off the LR furniture layout? Leave the TV as is. Place the couch perpendicular to TV floating between DR table and fireplace. One chair could be left as is in the bay window with the other chair facing the TV on the other side of the FP. Similar to this mockup of Beverly's but using your current furniture. This might take some of the focus off the FP since the furniture wouldn't be arranged with it as the focal point. Also might feel good to not have so many angled pieces of furniture.

Here are other options., something modern and geometric.

Something more modern.

Two that are more traditional

Thanks @RedRyder. Those rugs are definitely in the color family of the room. I'm still leaning toward the CB2 copper one or the more modern gold one in my first mockup. @lisalane I have set up the room as Beverly suggested and love the view out the big windows but it's not great for a family to tv watch and the configuration didn't work with the 9x12 rug I had so I moved it back. I have to measure to see if a square rug would work, and I plan to. This could be a great option to explore still. I would just have to figure out something else to do with our window-vented A/C unit that currently sits behind the couch when it's perpendicular to the fireplace. It's a nice hiding spot and I don't have other windows in that room to vent to. Perhaps the couch could be pulled into the room a couple feet to accommodate that. Not sure.

When you’re moving furniture around, it’s hard to know what size works when you just changed the whole feel of the room. Painters tape can help in this situation. After you’ve put the furniture in a specific layout, try putting down the tape so you can assess possible rug sizes.

I like more rug than just having the furniture feet on it. It keeps the room warmer in the cold months.

Thanks @RedRyder. I will consider that! Since you wanted your know, Maria Killam suggested SW Egret White or Modern Gray for this room.

I have a similar stone fireplace, that has been a frustrating issue. Apparently when the stone was installed, no one paid attention to if the rows were level! Anything square, rectangle, looks horrible. So, I have a large clock that shows off the fireplace. It gives your eye something to rest on beside the rock behind it, and no one notices that the stone is not level. My clock is black with only the circle, and the Roman numerals and 2 hands that show (no back panel of any sort. I also put a couple of inexpensive shiny (read chrome) vases on each side of the mantel. Again, you still look at the fireplace, but the stone has receded because of what I put in front of it. My latest addition is a black ceramic pot that is filled with fake flowers in summer colors; it sits on the hearth up against the glass. I may get a second pot for "winter," as we don't use the fireplace (it has major construction issues that are hidden). However, I was going to suggest a paint for you that has NO yellow in it. My fave, and I recommend it often, is SW "Anew Gray." It's not gray, and it is not beige either, but a great compromise!

Thanks, Connie. That sounds like a nice look you created. Sorry you're struggling with your too. A paint designed suggested a new paint color likely similar to the one you suggested but its SW Modern Gray (as well as Egret White). I'll check out Anew Gray. For whatever reason, she says a gray or off-white with a hint of violet goes with our stonework. I don't see it but I'm no expert!

I love your fireplace!!! I see it as the star in the room. I would not add art or anything on the mantle. It’s beautiful and should stand alone. No changes should be made to the fireplace. Work on the rest of the room and leave the fireplace for last. I bet you will see it was perfect the whole time.

Adding floating shelves around it can give it a fresh look, and a big piece of modern art or a cool mirror above the mantle can help draw attention away from the stone.

Your fireplace is not a pig, and your husband is right about leaving the fireplace as is. Don't even put any art or plants on it. If you wind up replacing the sofa at some point, and you don't really need to, get a butterscotch/camel color. Don't worry about "modern" when you have mountain house appropriate "givens" -- great stone fireplace, wood trim, etc. If you need color, add a bit of blue here and there against neutral taupes and tan pulled from the stone.

Here's a great palette going forward--tans, camel, ivory

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@housegal I ordered a camel rug on sale yesterday. I think it will help bring the room together. Others in this post suggested they liked that idea and with the mock up, it seems to work.
@Connie Bundy Looks like Anew Gray is in the same purple gray family as Modern Gray in Maria Killam’s selections so you have an expert eye.

@olychick and @freedomplace1 I thought I’d post something new per your suggestions. It looks better than a big rectangle of art and I have something to look at besides the stone (not that there’s anything wrong with the stone :))

@heatherlyman I appreciate your sense of humor. 🤭 I'm excited to see your new rug.

The color of the new rug picks up the colors in the woodwork. It is a great improvement.

My reaction was to paint the wood trim on the fireplace one of the darker grays from the stones to help pull that thing together more, so it's less contrasty. But leave the other wood trim the way it is now.