Thanks for the advice, have decided to ditch the brown and go for something lighter and brighter...maybe next month I will look at replacing the pathetic prints on the walls and the grubby coffee table...

I would place the sofa facing the fireplace either with access to what's behind the draperies or not, and put the tv where the chair is--roughly. On the far end I'd arrange a small conversation/reading/activity area. IE:2 chairs, a table and a lamp or a small activity table with a hanging lamp. Of course, seeing the scale of your new furniture, once you receive it will help. I just hope you have selected comfortable furniture in a smaller scale than what you have.

Your space is quite roomy at almost 23 feet by 16 feet 5 inches. It would help us to see all four walls. Is this going to be an area where you will eat as well as watch TV? I would put in some recessed lighting: (I like the idea of painting the ceiling a light blue or yellow.) You need to have table lamps and or floor lamps as well. If those are light fixtures on the beam, I would remove them and repair the beam. Would you husband be open to staining the beams darker? Something like this: A fireplace mantel like the one in the Crisp photo would finish off the fireplace. With yellow and cream, you could go with warm colors, browns reds and oranges or blues and green.

Ikea has some that i use often they come in different sizes.