Here is our living room — the place we gather to read and relax. It has taken us awhile to properly finish this room because it is an oddly-shaped room, quite long and difficult to figure out! We used to have some gaudy 90’s-style stained glass windows on either side of the mantle, which made it difficult to hang art next to. Once we replaced them with regular 9-pane windows, we chose a piece of art that we both loved (an Ed Freeman print). Choosing art was not easy, as apparently Andrew and I have very different taste in art! I wanted a painting, he wanted something less textured, so we finally agreed that a photograph was the way to go.

I love the colors in this print — they bring out the blues of the couch and our deep blue dining room, and also compliment the pinks of the pottery and pillows we have lying around.

The console table holds blocks and Pokemon cards on the bottom, prettier items and photography on the top.

It took so many years to come to terms with our space! We were all trying to squeeze onto one beautiful antique couch (which I loved, but became terribly uncomfortable over the years). We finally ordered one we would all fit onto. Having the space for all of us to sprawl out together has made such a huge difference! Plus, the back and arms of this couch are wide enough (and sturdy enough) for the boys to lie down on. Milo often reads along the long edge under the windows, and there’s still room for everyone to sit under him!

Andrew chose some artwork from the amazing tattoo artists who did his floral chest piece. I think it fits beautifully in our living room!

Pillowcase came from Turkey. I found it on Etsy. The Mongolian sheep fur pillow behind that is extraordinarily soft and plush. It’s nice to cuddle up with when it’s cold out!

My friend Elisha gave me the above hanging globe planter for my last birthday. I had a beautiful air plant in it, but we don’t get enough light in our living room, so it did not make it. I decided to try some of these vines instead, which can handle little light. They seem to like it there, as they have grown quite a bit over the past few weeks! 

On the console table, we have a collection of found wood from various trips, plus our fun “come hither” hand, a gift from Andrew’s brother Billy. It makes me smile every time I see it.

The vintage wooden oval mirror I snagged at a local antique shop is one focal point of the room. I have always been searching for one, and finally found it for a real steal. I love the delicate carvings along the top.

Fresh flowers make a huge difference, and we almost always have some flowers or greenery in here. My friend Maggie dropped by and brought me these beautiful peonies from her garden. They cheer up the whole room, and I love how the pink looks with our navy couch!

This fiddle leaf fig plant is only making a temporary appearance during the summertime. I had just given it a shower before moving it downstairs (yes, a literal shower, in the tub). I will move it outside onto our front porch for a month or so before it becomes too hot, then it will go back upstairs where the light is best.

Lighting in this room is immensely important; though we have west-facing windows and south-facing windows, the south-facing side is met with a large overhang for our front porch, meaning a lot of that lovely light is blocked. Our living room can become quite dark during the winter and on rainy days. I found this large arc floor lamp to arch up and over the back corner of our couch and I love it. It provides a warm, bright light perfect for reading (the drum shade has a bottom to it which helps diffuse the light gently).

And there you have it! Have a wonderful weekend. I’m so excited to have my boys home for the summer with me. Bring on the adventures!