We have a similar issue with a rectangular room and windows at both ends. Our feature wall is much longer than yours so we have decided that the fireplace will be central and the focal point of the room. We will build in a simple unit to the right of the fireplace (the southern end of the room) and that will house the TV and media materials with minimal open display shelves for a few special things. At the other end to the left of the fireplace, where the floor-to-ceiling north-facing window is, we will have enough room for our great grandfather's handmade beautiful Edwardian bookcase and two comfy reading chairs strategically places at the sunny window. Re couches, we will probably buy a two and three seater, placing the longer one opposite the fireplace and the shorter one in an L position at the TV end. There are only two of us so watching the TV will be from the longer lounge and when we have need of both couches, it will be for visitors and the TV won't be used. We will put down a floor rug that allows a border of our wooden floors to be visible at the front of the couches and smaller coffee tables at the end of each couch. I want a nice clear space between the couch and the fireplace to make the room look less cluttered. This is all in the planning budget for the new year and I'm busy looking now at color schemes and furniture that's suitable for the room size. Good luck with your project. Annie

Do you want a beach theme because of the refreshing feeling? The calm? The relaxing nature? Defining this will help you to make decisions. Find a picture of an ocean scene that you are drawn to and print that out and use it as inspiration. See example here: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/101542166573196260/ Beach themes tend to be lighter, but you can work with your darker furniture and your current curtains. Consider adding colors like whites (colors of shells), tans (sand color), blues (aqua like sea or light like the sky). Also you can create the FEEL of the beach without using shells and shell prints. See here: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/389702173979896669/ and refer back to your inspiration picture for color and texture ideas. Consider working with what you have for now. Adding cushion covers, plants and flowers. Above, Sian has provided some good images for inspiration. Also see this one for dinning chairs with white covers: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/403001866625446214/ or painting chairs white: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/24629129187661902/ Artwork: lower your current artwork so they are somewhere between 57 and 63 inches on center try it out and see what feels best for you. Lastly, I am not sure how your usually use your living space, but consider rearranging your furniture. Pulling it away from the walls and create conversational setting. You can put your entertainment center against a wall and open up access to your kitchen bar and get bar stools (in white or wicker or a fun color). See here for seating layout ideas: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/222013456605572141/ and https://www.pinterest.com/pin/446841594251073283/ with seating facing each other, pulled away from the wall. Hope this helps. Have fun with your space! be wonderful

Thank you for your comments, would you do anything to the plain white wall if i were to leave the stripes on the family room end - or any ideas on how to incorporate it (there is a doorway through to a play room/office).

Thanks everyone, we appreciate the ideas. We've considered similar plans to the ones shown but I think the general take-away of more rotating and re-arranging of furniture in the plan is the way to go at the moment. The alcove "study nook" in the Family Room is definitely an odd space that we have been very puzzled about, but our longer term plan is definitely to close it off and extend the en-suite as some of you have suggested.