Wow, you guys are great...very active forum. I now have to many ideas, lol. As far as inspection...let's just say are local guy isn't the smartest cookie in the jar. Nonetheless, this will look good when done and be top notch ready for any inspection. I appreciate the help!
Moving on...I have nice birch to put back up, so adding any width will require framing different for the windows as mentioned and cutting the paneling....but I really like the idea of adding the 1xs to make it 1 1/2 total and put in the insulation. I saw at lowes today that there are 1 7/8 metal boxes which could attach straight to the brick. Now, suppose I use both old boxes' holes for a space for cable and cat6....then attach metal boxes to the left of the original where they simply run straight up?
Building the 2x4 wall sounds good too because I can eliminate the wood on the wall....but this room is 13 x13....kinda small already. But it seems like that would give me LOTS of room for electrical and a good air gap. However, a major caveat, and a big one, this is solid brick so I already have like 7 or 8 inches on that window.....that would give me around 10.5 or 11 inches to frame up.
I'm about to dye the concrete for the floor....will not be actually doing the electrical yet....lots of thinking here.