I would leave a 3' wall next to the fireplace so you have the option of placing a chair there, then do as suggested above and open the windows into a doorway.

Because the windows are there already, you don't have to worry about a new header; there's one there already, so removing the windows and lower wall is apiece of cake. If you want to go wider, then that will involve a new header.

That's ok it can be decided by a columned idea around the window area , which would be the area of the new French doors. This would delineate the area away from the side door . Would that work. Aleece arborhill interiors

Yep, and it looks as though the door and window are at the same height which might mean same header. I would open a doorway from the edge of the tile to 3' from the edge of the hearth. (Because it's going to be easier to patch the tile than to make the two wood floors look good together.) Use trim to match the wood trim in the family room. It will be beautiful.

Pop the other window out and replace it with a bookshelf, either two-sided or finished on one side.

For those advocating the opening up of the wall, I would not do any of that without removing the drywall above to window to determine the actual structure. If a continuous header or beam is not present, please make sure that you get someone with a knowledge of structures involved before removing any part of the wall.

If you are looking for a simpler or less costly modification, I think you have a few options depending on how open you want things to be: 1. If you don't need separation between each of the rooms, simply remove the door and windows and keep the openings. I would stick with just wood window sills with the drywall being patched on the other three sides of the opening since it looks like all other windows in the house are done that way. 2. If acoustic separation is required or you like more defined rooms, I would do what was recommended above: replace the metal double hung windows which are very obviously exterior grade with two pairs of wood casements. Replace the exterior grade steel door with a single wood French door.

If you want to be more fun and daring, you could fill the openings with decorative screens or see-through art works, hang plants or other art objects in each, or even build a couple shelves in each to display glass objects.