I Need Divine Design!

How do I turn my ugly living room that the kids have taken over, into something like the AFTER picture (1st picture is the BEFORE) in this design from Candice Olsen, my favorite designer on HGTV? Can you see my little attempts at doing something to this space...the little topiary, the empty picture frames, and the little lanterns on the fireplace? It's been 3 years and I'm still at a loss as to how to turn this eye sore into a pleasant and functional space. My thing is that it HAS to be functional first, then eye pleasing. It makes no sense to me to put a stack of symmetrical books (that I don't read) on top of each other with a cute little knick-knack on top if it has absolutely no use!



I do love Candice Olsen and every design that she's done on her show. I've watched them all if not multiple times. I've even tried some of her design ideas...like I made a headboard similiar to the AFTER picture in this and I painted our bedroom in damask stripes in sage blue-green, alternating flat and glossy paint.

Of course, I'm too cheap to hire a real designer so I'm coming to anybody out there who can offer your 2 cents. Do I hang something that has the same shape within each of the framed moldings? like square/rectangle frames? or do I go for asymmetrical...like a large circle mirror over the fireplace and a mix of different sized frames on either side? and how do I make it all work together? Help!