When we were looking at flats online, this room, was one of the things that sold me on the flat. Does that surprise you? It's funny to look at this picture now and remember that, because we landed and I promptly ordered 80% of it to be moved into the garage. But since painting/re-decorating isn't really an option in our new place, I wanted the living room to be something of a blank slate, that I could decorate however I wanted and wouldn't worry about any of it clashing with one another. So the light and neutral walls, ceiling, carpet and trim were all perfect.
**Disclaimer**
Each time that I start to write this I feel a bit sheepish because it's a little like, "Hey here's my couch...and some shelves!" I guess I'm used to room tours being the sort of things that you do when you've remodeled or redecorated a room, and this one is barely decorated. But we have lived in London, in this flat, for 1 month and 1 day, so I know you'll forgive me. And I promise to update you when it looks pulled together. But for now, it looks like a nice clean slate, and I like it.
Before, empty, except for the tv - thanks Chris!
After, full-ish.
After, full-ish.
Chris insisted on a couch with chaise, but I was worried that the big long "L" part of a traditional chaise would take up too much room. Chelsea and I found this incredibly comfortable 3 seater couch with a rounded footstool, so that it took up a bit less space, but was still perfect for putting your feet up. I move it around every day. I use it to block off toddler access to the hot heater and we often use it to build forts. 
I got this little table and chairs to use on the other half of the room, in the little play area, but it quickly made it's way in front of the mirror and tv. 
We let Jayce watch cartoons while he eats his breakfast for 2 reasons: 1.) He's super grumpy in the morning, and cartoon time lets him wake up a bit while being left alone. 2.) He doesn't have much of an appetite in the morning for some reason, but being distracted by cartoons gets him to eat a bit more of his cereal. This is probably not our best parenting move, but, it is what it is.
Also, the table in front of the tv guarantees that milk, orange juice, and various crumbs stay (mostly) on the table, and are not all over the couch, cushions, or in the carpet. For now, it's staying there.(Holy fingerprints on the mirror!! I windex it twice a week, seriously, but apparently not this day. Sorry folks, but fingerprints come with a couch-sized mirror in the living room.)
Yes, there's a very large mirror mounted to the wall. There is nothing to do other than embrace it, which we all have done. The kids like to watch themselves play, and Hannah makes faces at herself in front of it every day.
Sometimes I switch this little spot around, but I always move the little storage cube back over.
The left side of the room has one of my favorite spots, and maybe you can see why. There is a tiny little section that I've claimed as my own!
This fun little chair, (only 8 pounds, I think I screamed a little when I saw that)...
tall, bright windows... 
and a double-drawer desk make up a little work space for me.
Blogging/photo editing/Project Runway re-caps on the left, 
and sewing on the right. 
Oh yeah, that's a sewing machine. A sweet lady who I met at the knitting group loaned it to me because she said she barely uses it. She drove it over and delivered it to my door! How sweet is that?! I was so happy! 
I have downgraded a bit from a craft room to a craft nook, but I love it. I really didn't think that I was going to have a space that was my own, so I'm just glad that I do!
And if you're wondering about that awesome calendar on a box, here is the scoop. It's an old air conditioner. Which they covered up with a "scenic" calendar. I don't know. Like I said, I haven't really decorated yet, but this will be addressed.
And on the wall behind my little nook, we have a piano and shelves. Nothing special here, but this is the rest of the room. We had been told that we needed to keep the piano, but just found out last week that the owner's sister will be collecting it!! So something better will be happening with this wall space, soon.
I know, I know, it needs color, personalization, and to look a bit less like a large dorm room. I'm working on it. But for now, at least it's not ugly, right? :)What should I tackle first for the biggest impact? Curtains? Pillows? Rug? Wall hangings? So many options.
Did you see the other rooms that I've shared? Click on the pictures below, or you can always find them in the London tab up top.
But when I was uploading these, I remembered that I never shared the pictures from the time when she came for 
We did some baking that week. I got this fun kid's cookbook at the library and we decided to give the cookies a shot. Jayce loved it, and you can see why: the pictures are bright and fun, particularly if you have a kid who likes to help in the kitchen, and mine does. Also, it turns out that telling your kid to "make a grumpy face...yeah, just like that" actually elicits real smiles. 
