Decorative Ingredients for Styling a Console Table

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Shelterness

There are countless ways you can approach styling a console table.  You can keep it simple and classic or you can create an eclectic decorative statement with multiple decorative accessory items. Whatever the approach, there are a few tried and true components that every console table should have.

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LAMPS–a pair of lamps is one of the most popular design ingredients for styling a console table.  Matching lamps provide symmetry as well as ambient lighting within a room and will give a larger console table the visual weight it needs up top.

tip: for a more eclectic look, use a single lamp on one side of the table and a grouping of accessories to balance it on the other side.

via Fun and Frugality

Best of Both Worlds–Fun and Frugality

PERSONAL TOUCHES–console tables give you the perfect platform for displaying personal items in your home.  Assemble a grouping of collectibles, display family photos and decorate with pieces that have meaning to you and your family.

tip:  place accessories in groups of three for a more harmonious feel (i.e.: orchid+books+clock and bird+two bowling pins)

via Apartment Therapy
Apartment Therapy

MIRRORS–in place of traditional artwork, try a mirror or two over the console table.  Mirrors will enhance any natural light coming  into the space and is an ideal wall decor solution in a foyer or hallway.

tip: in most cases, the size of the mirror should allow it to hang within the dimensions of the table, not extend beyond the edge of the table

Via Lonny
Lonny

BASKETS–baskets are one of the best accessories you can use when styling your console table.  Baskets add texture, fill the void under the table and help keep clutter under control.

via Style Me Pretty
Style Me Pretty–Emily Gilbert Photography

OTTOMANS–I love placing ottomans or stools under an open-bottom console table.  Ottomans add visual weight and impact in addition softening the lines of the table.

via Linda Benson Interiors
Linda Benson Interiors

DECORATIVE ACCESSORIES–it’s a given that your console table should have accessories on it but which accessories you choose can make or break the overall design impact of you console.  My top three accessories items for console tables are VASES, FLORALS & FRAMES.  Don’t be shy with your accessory statement and mix and match colors, finishes and styles to give your table that personal touch.

tip:  create a color theme with the furnishings and decorative elements you use to style your table

via DecorPad
Decorpad

BOOKS–you can never go wrong with books when styling a console table.  Use books to fill shelves, elevate decorative objects and add color.

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Domaine Home

ARTWORK–the artwork you hang over a console table can really help define the space and the overall look for the table vignette.  A collection of art can be just as dynamic as a single large piece and decorative objects added into the arrangement can provide added visual interest.

tip:  use uniform spacing between the art pieces so the arrangement reads as a single grouping versus individual elements

Via Pottery Barn2
Pottery Barn

Are you inspired?  I know I am.

I’ve got a beautiful wood console table that I’m considering painting black so I decided to pull together an inspiration board to help me visualize the look.  If you see something you like, you can shop the board below.

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SHOP THIS BOARD:

Crystal Column Lamp–Lamps Plus / Faceted Metal Vase–West Elm / Rosewood Porcelain Ceramic Vase–Ballard Design
Nate Berkus Metal Feather Ball–Target / Rossington Console Table–Wayfair / Silk Orchid–Overstock
Kelsey Umbrella Stand–Wayfair  / Safavieh Heritage Black and Ivory Rug–Wayfair

You don’t have to use all of these elements when styling your table but a combination of 2 or 3 will definitely help you create a table with style. 

Shelly

 

 

Design Chat: Styling Super Sized Sectional Sofas

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Happy Monday friends!

I’m back with another Design Chat session.  We’re talking sectional sofas again (they appear to be a design challenge for many folks) but this time it’s all about the most ideal way to arrange pillows and what style of coffee is best for an extra large sofa.

Sectional Sofa via Bonanza.com

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Here’s what Casandra asked…

“Shelly, I have a leather sectional that is 12′ on one side and 8′ on the other. It is perfect dimension for our room, but I am struggling with the accessories. Placing the pillows as suggested looks off balance and no coffee table is nearly as long as the long side of the sofa. Any tips?”

The pillow placement that Casandra is referencing in her question came from the styling suggestions I shared in the Design Guide below.  The design guide post, which has been pinned over 2500 times outlines the do’s and don’t to styling a traditional sectional.  I didn’t go into styling an oversized sofa like the one that Casandra has so we’ll talk about that today.

Styling a Sectional Sofa

Design Guide: Styling A Sectional Sofa

Sectional sofas come in many different sizes and can even be custom-made to fit your room dimensions.  The most important tip I would share when it some to dealing with an extra-large sectional is to pay attention to the proportions of the accessories and furniture that surround it.  Accessories and furniture that are too small will make the room and sitting arrangement feel off balanced and if all the pieces in the room are too large, the room will be overpowering and uncomfortable.

DON’T:  Don’t place to many pillows on the sofa and definitely don’t line them up like soldiers.  The pillows should accent the sectional and provide additional visual interest, color and/or texture.

Sectional Sofa Pillows--Don't

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DO:  The living room below shows the ideal way pillows should be placed on a large sectional.  Pillows are grouped in clusters to accent/frame the sofa at the ends and in the middle.

Sectional Sofa via BlulabelBungalow

Lillian August for the 2012 Hampton Designer Showhouse  via Blulabel Bungalow

DO:  Use pillows in a mx of patterns and colors to play off accent colors used throughout the room–the pillows should become part of the overall design of the room and not stand out like a sore thumb.

Sectional Sofa via House Beautiful

House Beautiful

DO:  Pillows don’t have to all be the same size or shape–in fact a mix of sizes and shapes will add even more visual interest.  Because a sectional sofa is a large rectangular shape and sits in a rectangular or square room, I’d suggest mixing in a round and/or oblong shaped pillow for visual contrast or even trying a larger size pillows mixed with smaller sizes on the ends of the sofa.

The yellow pillow in the center of the sofa below draws attention there and takes it off the ends of the sofa.

Sectional Sofa Pillows
Bassett

DO:  You might also want to group more pillows in the center verses on the ends which will add visual weight to the center of the sofa and help balance each arm of the sofa.

Sectional Sofa via Bassett Furniture

Bassett

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Now let’s talk coffee tables…

DO:  I’d suggest a square coffee table.  Trying to find a rectangular table that fits the dimensions of a large sectional sofa probably won’t happen and in many cases it could give the sofa an unbalanced feel.  The bulk and girth of a square coffee table is a better balance against a large sectional and its overall dimensions.

Sectional Sofa Coffee Table via Decor Pad

Decor Pad

DO:  When placing a square table in front of the sofa, don’t try to make it a perfect balance to both arms of the sofa.  Place it where it’s a comfortable fit in front of the longest section of the sofa or place it so that it sits in the middle.

Sectional Sofa Coffee Table via HouseBeauty

HouseBeauty

DO:  Another option is a round coffee table.  Just like with pillows, introducing a round shape into the room provides a contract to the straight lines of the sofa and takes the focus off the table being a different scale than the sectional.

Sectional Sofa Coffee Table

Georgianadesign

Balance and scale are two of the most important design principles when it comes to decorating your home.  When working with furniture that is oversized, those elements become even more important to achieving a look that not only feels good but that looks good too.

Casandra, I hope these tips help!

Shelly

cover image via Bassett Furniture

Feeling Uneasy With My Artwork

ConfettiStyle Spring Bedroom Refresh9

The other night I was sitting on the couch and looked around at my walls.  I have several gallery wall arrangments that are a mix of art and objects.  As I looked at the walls, I began to feel unsettled with the eclectic mix and the random arrangement.  A desire for a more calm, symmetrical and orderly look washed over me.

My design style is eclectic with classic undertones so I was surprised at the feelings I had when I looked at the walls.  I think the need for order and calm is stemming from my life at the moment where I’m juggling lots of balls, can’t get it all done in a day and longing for a quiet weekend getaway.

What’s a girl to do with this artwork dilemma and feeling of uneasiness?

 Block out a weekend to unwind (unfortunately it can’t happen for a few weeks) and turn to Pinterest for some wall decor inspiration.

As I was looking through Pinterest, I came across these images where artwork was hung in a grid fashion providing organized and calm feel.  I like the look of art hung in a grid but am not 100% sure whether this is the look that I want.  Regardless, these images are inspiring me to make some changes to my wall decor.

My thoughts….

I love the tight grouping and a single frame choice but don’t know if I can commit to one style of art.

Tight Art Grouping

via Tobi Fairley

The impact of a grid arrangement is great so that’s a plus in my book.

Artwork Grid
via Apartment Therapy  

If the color of each artwork piece is similar that can be the thread that ties it all together.

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via Emily A. Clark

I love the look of this eclectic mix of art but don’t think it’s exactly my style.

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via Martha Stewart 

This arrangement is nice because it is still symmetrical but has a bit more personality than artwork all in the same size.

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via Houzz 

Grid layouts definitely work with black and white art but not my style.

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via Home Bunch 

I love seeing non-traditional elements framed as a collection.  Definitely something I’d do.

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via  BHG 

Fall is a great time of year to hang framed botanical art and the look is fresh and modern.  Gets my vote.

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via BHG 

This image might be the solution…symmetry but frames hung both horizontally and vertically which adds a bit of an eclectic feel.

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via BHG

Decision, decisions!

So tell me, is the gallery wall look still appealing to you or do you love the symmetrical art arrangements?  I’d love to know what you think.

Shelly

Design Chat: Foyers–Vol. 3

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image source unknown

I’m back with another installment of Design Chat.  This time I’m answering a question from Katie regarding her foyer.

“Shelly, I am struggling with how to decorate my foyer.  The space is rather small and once inside the door, the dining room opens up on the right and there is a wall on the left which is about 8 feet long.  I’ve tried different furniture pieces and nothing seems right or is balanced against the dining room opening and  furniture.  Can you give me some tips and ideas on how to decorate a foyer.”  –Katie

I asked Katie a couple of questions to get a better understanding of her space and the image above represents the general layout of Katie’s foyer.

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The Design Tips:

Foyers come in all shapes and sizes and can be challenging find the right combination of furniture, wall decor, accessories and lighting to fit the space.  Although challenging, there are a few design guidelines I can share to help Katie and anyone else decorating their foyer:

♦  Foyers often serve as a decorative spaces while at the same time needing to have some functional aspects (drop zone for keys, mail etc.) to the design so keep that in mind when selecting furniture, accessories and lighting.

♦  Select furniture that fits the scale of the space.  Since there is a long wall that you want to place furniture on, select a piece that fills at least 50 to 75% of the wall space.  Small scale furniture on a long wall will look wimpy.

♦  Lighting is always a great addition to any foyer space even if it will be used just for ambient light.  Wall sconces are a nice alternative to tabletop lamps and don’t forget to put your lighting on a dimmer to control the light intensity within the space.

♦  Rugs will help ground your foyer and create a landing spot for guest as they enter and exit your home.

♦  Mirrors are a smart wall decor choice especially if your foyer doesn’t get a lot of natural light.  Mirrors will magnify any light coming into the foyer giving it a brighter appearance.

♦  If the foyer is a main entrance and exit point for the home and there is room for seating, a chair or two flanking a console table or cabinet is a nice addition. Chairs ccreate an additional layer of design, color and pattern.

♦  If the overall foyer space lacks architectural details (chair rail, wainscoting) consider wallpaper, a paint treatment or decorative molding to add interest to the wall and serve as a backdrop to your furniture and decor.

The Inspiration: 

Furniture with artistic details like this cabinet will add a lot of drama to a foyer.  And notice the accessories–although they are not symmetrical, the groupings on each side of the cabinet balance each other.

Foyer Table

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Open console tables keep a small foyer from feeling over-crowded and the space under the table is ideal for a bench or ottomans which can also be used for additional seating in other parts of the home.  The size of the artwork is proportionate to the size of the table and the lamps are in scale with the overall arrangement.

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Baskets under a console table provide the perfect spot to drop gloves, shoes or even a handbag.  And the texture it provides is an added bonus.

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Another alternative to a table or cabinet in the foyer is a bench.  A bench creates a cozy feel and can function as a spot to place bags upon entering the house.

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The Solution:  

So for Katie, here’s the recommendation for her foyer:

♦  fill the narrow wall space near the door with a grouping of three art pieces

♦  create a furniture and decor vignette on the long wall

♦  add an area rug for color, pattern and softness

Design Chat--Decorating Foyers.002

image source unknown

If you are challenged with decorating your foyer, I hope these tips help.

If you have a design challenge, leave a question/comment and I’ll answer your challenge in a future edition of Design Chat.

Shelly

Product + Inspiration: Typography Letters

Decorating with typography letters can be a lot of fun.  As this craft turned decorative piece has gained popularity, you started seeing lots of designer incorporating letters into chic wall decor statements.  Now typography letters are being used in many different applications not only because they add a personal touch to decor but also because they are one of most budget-friendly accessory items you can buy.

Here’s a round-up of some of my favorite typography letters and inspiring images on how they can be used to decorate.

The Product…

Typography Letters.001

Bronze Magnet Letter / Gold Resin Letter / Galvanized Metal LetterPaper Mache Letter / Studded Burlap Letter / Monogram Letter / Chalk Letter

The Inspiration…

A monogram hanging on a front door is such a classic way to welcome guest.  I love the look of this berry covered letter, especially for the holidays.

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Finding good wall decor for a kitchen can sometimes be a challenge.  You can use letters to make a custom wall piece that’s perfect for your home.

tip:  words perfect for a kitchen:  Yum, Savor, Gather, Diner

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If you’re looking for something different to dress your door during the holidays, consider using letters to create a holiday sentiment.  Cover the letters with green felt, moss or even a coat of spray paint to coordinate it with your holiday decor.

tip:  holiday words to consider:  Noel, HoHoHo, Merry

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You can easily update a traditional wreath with a typography letter.

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Use letters to create a bold welcoming statement in your foyer.  Such a fun and unexpected touch.

design tip:  when hung vertically, the letters/word can make low ceiling feel taller
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One of my favorite spaces for typography letters is in a nursery or kids room.  I love the look of this collection using different fonts of the same initial.  It’s artist and whimsical at the same time.

design tip:  use different size letters and letters in different finishes to create this eclectic feel

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The tops of bookcase or shelves is a great spot for an oversized letter.  Leaning or hanging on the wall, the letter adds depth and dimension to any vignette.

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Typography letters are a natural for bookshelves and add visual movement within the overall arrangement.

design tip: have fun with the font style and color so that the letters make a statement amongst all the books

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Typography letters come in lots of different sizes and lots of different materials so even the smaller letters can be used in a fun way like this cake topper.

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I’m a fan of typography letters…how about U?

Shelly

FIVE Easy & Stylish Ways To Add Fall Decor To Your Home

Fall Decor

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I’ve run across quite a few people who don’t want to decorate for fall because they feel with the Christmas season fast approaching it’s too much work to decorate for a just a month or so.   Decorating for fall doesn’t have to be time-consuming, costly or involve lots of work and the ideas I’m sharing with you today are proof of that.

Just a few fall elements can give your home that warm, fuzzy feel that comes with fall.

PUMPKIN ADDRESS TOPIARY

Decorating outdoors can sometimes be easier than indoors, especially if you want to use real pumpkins to decorate with.  I love the idea of creating an address maker with your fall decor.  All it takes is vinyl number and a real or faux pumpkin.  If you’re using a real pumpkin, seal the numbers to the pumpkin with a coat of mod podge.  If a faux pumpkin is your choice, mod podge or a coat of spray varnish with make your pumpkin stand up against the weather.

Pumpkin Address Makers

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For a three-dimensional look, screw metal address number directly to the outside of the pumpkin

Pumpkin with numbers

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PUMPKIN FLOWER VASE

Here’s another easy decor item that can be done with a real or faux pumpkin.  Simply create an opening in your pumpkin big enough to fit a glass vase.  File the vase with grocery store flowers and stems from the yard and you’ve got a beautiful centerpiece that can sit on the dining room table, foyer table or coffee table.

Flowers in Pumpkin

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I love the look of succulents in pumpkins too!

Succulents in pumpkin

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ADD PLAID

A simple change in the patterns that accent your decor can give your home the feeling of fall.  Plaids instantly create a cozy feeling and visual interest.  And with some many beautiful versions of plaids to choose from, you can easily find colors that fit perfectly with your decor.

Plaid Throw on Chair

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Fall Blanket

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FALL FILLERS

Like me, I know many of you own glass vases, cloches and jars and decorating with them for fall is as easy as filling them with seasonal items like pinecones, pumpkins, acorns or leaves.

Fall Cloche

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Fall Cloche2

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Fall Vase

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FRAME FALL ART

Take a look around your home and pick a few spots where you can change out your everyday art for fall inspired pieces.  And if won’t cost you a thing if you download a few piece of free art. Check out two great sources for free download art below.

Fall Art--Free Download

the tomkatstudio

Free Download Fall Art

eleganceandenchantment

Happy decorating!

Shelly

Office Chair Makeover

Hartman Office Chair

I bought a new office chair months ago and knew that I wanted to give it a little makeover. The chair is the Pearson Desk Chair from Ballard Design and I found it at the outlet store for $39, a big discount off of its regular price of $249.

When I first told you about the chair, I had replaced the casters with metal ones and I was debating between painting the frame gold or black and had also narrowed down several fabric options.

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Well, I decided on a gold frame and made a slight change in the fabric.

Here’s the new look of my desk chair…

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I used Rustoleum Specialty Metallic Gold Spray ( a great gold spray paint) paint and applied two coats to the frame.  To add an additional layer of protection to the frame I sprayed on two coats of Krylon Clear Gloss Acrylic Coating.

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The fabric I decided to use is a leopard print velvet that I snagged during a fantastic sale at Boca Bargoons here in the Atlanta area.  The fabric was originally $59.99 a yard but the store had a weekend sale with select fabrics 75% off so it only cost me $15.00/yd.   I bought enough to cover my chair seat and make a pillow.

Even though I had originally planned to use a larger scale pattern I love  how this fabric looks with the gold frame.  And at $15.00 I won’t feel guilty if I decide to change it up in the future.

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I’m glad to have another project checked off the to-do list and now I can definitely work in style!

Shelly

Busy as a bee & Mad About Plaid!

Plaid via Midwest Living

midwest living

Hello friends.  You may have noticed that posting on the blog has been sparse this week for several reasons.  I’ve been busy as a bee with work and projects and on top of that I’ve been fighting off a cold and haven’t felt good.  I guess that sudden change in cooler weather caught my system off guard.  Anyway, the combination of buy and sick hasn’t left me with the time or energy to blog.

I did want to pop in today to share one of favorite on-line shops with you, one which I have mentioned quite a bit here on the blog.  Mark & Graham can do not wrong in my book.  I love every one of their items and especially love their totes, cosmetic bags and small travel accessories.  Mark & Graham has been flooding my inbox with their new fall introductions so I thought I’d share a some of my favorite plaid piece with you today.  If you’re not excited for fall yet, these gorgeous plaid items will definitely put you in the mood.

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I think this Monogrammed Plaid Tote is the perfect fall bag for a day of shopping or taking to the football game. The navy colorway is pretty cute too.

Buffalo CheckTote via Mark and Graham

How cute are these Monogrammed Plaid Pillows?   At just $39 for the pillow cover, I think they’re a really great Christmas gift. You can find the herringbone style here.

Plaid Pillows from Mark and Graham

A girl can never have too many scarves and this Green Plaid Blanket Scarf is too cute to pass up.  $49 includes a single letter or three-letter monogram.

Blanket Scarf

This Essex Plaid Handbag could be used as a gym bag, travel bag or business tote and it’s currently on sale.

Essex Wool Handbag

 

Mark and Graham have lots more plaid items to choose from so if you’re mad about plaid like me, head over to their site and have fun shopping.

I’m taking the rest of the week off to get well and get caught up on work and projects so I’ll see you back here on Monday!

Shelly

this is not a sponsored post, just me sharing a site and products I love

 

 

 

 

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