Frodo,
210-52 can be a bit confusing. Specifically the two small appliance circuits are required to be distributed among the Kitchen, Pantry, Breakfast room, dining room, OR SIMILAR AREA.
210-52 (b)(1) 99 code.
It is not a hard thing for me to believe that somewhere in the country some inspection agency has determined that a living room is similar, but let's look at the intent of that section.
It was written because people are likely to plug in high draw appliances in those rooms, coffee pots, toasters, broilers, etc.. Not likely to happen in a living room
The living room (referenced in 210-52(a)) is occasionally confused in this manner, but it only has to have its receptacles on the General Purpose outlets, no reference to number of circuits.
