I love before and after photos.  Nothing's better to give you inspiration than to see the bones the homeowner and/or interior designer had to work with.  After all, if the shell you're starting with is lovely (think high ceilings, beautiful mouldings, great floors and windows) not nearly as much work has to take place.

But when you're starting with the less than stellar, well, the challenge is much greater.

Today for our Home Decor Thoughts segment, I have an elegant library to show off.  The room is lovely: warm wood paneling, great furniture, a beautiful Chinese porcelain collection.  But what I really love about the room is its transformation.  You see, this room began as a guest bedroom - and a very plain vanilla bedroom, at that.  Truly nothing special.  But look at it now:



And the before:



What a difference!  Now, that gives me hope for some of my rooms.

Interior Design:  Sandra Nunnerley
Photography:  Durston Saylor
Original Published by:  Architectural Digest