Left Into the Living Room!

*Joining another Metamorphosis Monday Party! and Show and Tell Friday at Romantic Home. Also joining Kelly's Korner!*

When you first walk through our front door, you can turn left into the living room, turn right into the office, or straight ahead to the family/kitchen area. I'm willing to show one picture of the office but no more than that! Why? Because I think our office is kinda boring. I am really grateful that we even have this space (Yankee Boy was doing work on the floor or on the dining room table before), but there are some touches I want to add and they are low on the financial priority list so this is all you get for now!
Office Before...

And office, well, not after but just for now...

Now, let's turn left!

What do you think of when you here the term "Living Room"? It's funny, because most of us don't do our actual "living" in there! And yet, the part of me that loves all things traditional with a hint of formality, still loves the fact that I have one of these rooms. Its true that it is mostly used by me to read a book in my favorite corner, or when we have parties and don't want to be surrounded by toys. But, my heart still thrilled when I first saw this space because it was very hard for me to imagine myself living in a home that didn't have one!

Here is the only 'before' photo I could find of the Living Room.

You can really only see one little corner of it but it gives you an idea. And let me just say right off the bat, we inherited the green carpet from the previous owner and at this point, we are just having to work with it folks!

Here are some afters...

I had originally made these drapes for our old house and I love them! It is a plaid moire fabric that I scrimped and saved for and I even taught myself how to make them with a heavy lining so they would hang just right.

One of my recent additions was these cubes that we use as a coffee table...

But, they also do double duty as extra seating...

The tray was an "Aunt Bee's" purchase and really helps to add some character.

Here is a look at what the sconces over the fireplace
 looked like before...

And, here is what they look like now...

They are from Ballard Designs (LOVE, LOVE, LOVE Ballard!)and are the same as the ones in the Foyer only with different shades. Here is another look...

This is my favorite reading corner

I can pull up one of my handy-dandy cubes to use as a foot-stool!

My Daddy gave me this painting as a gift before I got married. There is a poem on the back called "A Daughter" that I will have to share with you some other time. It's hard to make it through it without crying and I happen to be missing my family at this present moment!

I fell in love with this fabric years ago and still love it today! It made me finally teach myself how to sew decorator pillows with fringe! It was so worth it!

I love the color in these prints!

I have to show you that photo up close...

Is that boy's face not just absolutely precious!

Who are those young wipper-snappers? They are getting ready to celebrate 12 years of wedded bliss in a couple of months!

Here is one last look for good measure. This is the view looking back towards the dining room.

Thank you for allowing me to indulge myself a little bit by giving you this tour of my home. I look forward to next Monday for even more transformations to be revealed!