and now my family room

It needs some MAJOR help. It is awkward and to add fuel to the fire-it actually needs quite a bit of money to fix it the way I want to. I want to tear down the old marble tiles surrounding the fireplace and replace them from hearth to ceiling with a nice glass tile. Something like this would be amazing : )

(Most likely in a more subtle palette-perhaps some earth tones that I am so fond of)

I would add a chunky black mantel that I am just dying to make myself but that takes more tools than I have at the moment. I am scared yet of those kinds of demos.

meanwhile...my family area looks like this:

Don't laugh (nor turn your head in disgust). The space was this way when we moved in. And the black leather furniture was inherited with my boyfriend. It's not bad. I mean...it could be worse. At least it's a neutral right?

Let's see what I can do with a simple furniture rearrange-then I am sure to LOWE'S it will be to buy some supplies : )