Console Dilemma - Part 2

Thank you all so much for your input, thoughts and ideas on my entrance hall decorating dilemma and that tricky console from my post here. You rallied on the blog comments, Facebook and Instagram and the majority of you seemed to like option 6 or 8, which were probably my two choices. Not forgetting that they can be painted or stained any colour I like. So I think I would go darker if I got one of these. We all agree the lower shelf is a big asset and most of you think drawers are a must.

Theo & Joe

Theo & Joe

You all came up with wonderful suggestions like lots of plants and greenery in the way of orchids, ferns, fiddle leaf figs etc, with plenty of blue and white porcelain, baskets, wooden bowls, planters and shells. Everyone of course loved Kerri's stunning artwork. The jury seems to be out on the lamps though with some preferring the ceramic base and others the silver or glass.

Now just to throw you, I've come up with another couple of ideas since searching over the weekend....

Thinking of going down an slight Asian inspired route with either black or stained timber. 

Above from Orient House

Then there's the traditional cane/bamboo look, although I'd paint something like this black I think.

This is a bit fabulous, as is the one below. I love bamboo and chinoiserie styled furniture. So hard to find good vintage pieces like this here though, and even harder to find good new stuff that doesn't look like a relic from an 80s Gold Coast apartment.

Finally, one can't go past the simplicity, appeal and texture of rattan. A simple console like this is not overly expensive, can work in most rooms and gives the colour and texture I'm after.

Above images from Google

One thing is for sure, that I need to trust my instincts and do what I know best. When you think and analyse too long and too much about anything, and certainly a room in your house, you lose sight of what you are trying achieve, lose faith in your ability and lose touch with your "decorating roots". I pinched that phrase Kathysue of Good Life of Design blog who wrote an informative, helpful and inspiring post about getting back to your decorating roots here. Worth a read, particularly if you've found yourself a little off track with your sense of style. I know I often do.

When it comes to inspirational images, there are a couple that stop me in my tracks every time I see them. You know the kind of image that just takes your breath away, with its sheer perfection and utter beauty. Something that just speaks to you and you sigh over, no matter how many times you see it, or pin it or save it. This is one such image, by Stuart Membery.

Everything about this just delights my senses. It's is perfection to me. So I need to go back to my roots and get back in touch with this kind of decorating, because this is what I love. It's all about the symmetry, balance and perspective, the colours and textures, ie the pair of giant blue and white ceramic RL lamps with crisp white shades and navy trim, the dark stained Asian inspired furniture,  the large arrangement of white flowers and greenery in a big white jar, the splash of animal print, the simple white walls and touches of black. 

This is another image that I fall in love with over and over, by Katie Rosenfeld. It's all about the blue wall, the blue and white ceramic lamp with that pretty shade, it's the bursts of green, the round white mirror, the chinoiserie influences. All those elements speak to me.

And another from Mark D. Sikes. This speaks to me for all the same reasons. Ok so I'm starting to see a theme here. Lots of blue and white, dark furniture, baskets and texture, greenery, shells and a bit of shine.

And below is another such image by Marika Meyer. I've posted about this particular house before and her lovely, elegant style. It's not a console image per say, but I just love this room, and this tableau is so beautiful in every way. Again, it reminds me of what I love and what my decorating roots are. I wish I could style shelves like that, but the secret is really simply in what objects you own to style. If you don't have the right stuff, you can't get the styling right!

The other thing I do know, is that I want this space to have an impact, make a statement, leave an impression. As with any space you pass through and don't spend any extended period in, you can be a little adventurous with the decor and make it really shine. After all it's the first impression people get of your house, so you may as well make a good impression. But more importantly I want to walk through that door and think "WOW", welcome home!

Here's some of the inspiration I've been using.There are many more in my Pinterest folder here, but these below are the ones that relate most specifically to our entry which is near the front door, between stairs and not very spacious, so the table has to be against the wall.

All sources via my Pinterest board here.

And finally, here's some more inspiration for lamps. I'm starting to think that a fabulous pair of large blue and white ceramics could look great, a la Ralph, but not sure against the wallpaper so I'll have to have a play plus it really depends on the console I get.

Ralph Lauren lamp

Ralph Lauren lamp

Ralph Lauren lamp

Pinterest

Above images Pottery Barn

Hope you all had a wonderful weekend and all our friends in the US haven't been buried beneath 6 feet of snow. The weather Mother Nature is serving up on our planet at the moment, certainly gives pause for thought.