So I’ve been thinking a lot about consoles and sideboards for my dining room lately.
I already have a sideboard in there which I’m perfectly happy with. Here’s a picture of that one taken just a couple of months ago.
So what’s the problem?
The problem, my lovelies, is the wall to the other side. A big blank wall that is stumping me in terms of what to do with it. Here’s another pic from the summer but it’s not changed too much since then. The door to the left goes to the hallway, the door to the right goes to the cellar.
That framed print I’ve had for years. It was stuck on that wall not long after we moved in to fill the space and forgotten about, all lonely and boring. I don’t hate it but I don’t love it either. I think it’s served it’s purpose and it’s time to move on.
That space between the two door frames is around 2.2 meters or just over 7ft wide. There’s room enough for something narrow against that wall (around 40cm / 16″ in depth would be about right) which would still allow for someone to be sat in the chairs and another to walk behind them. But what do I want? The possibilities are endless and that’s probably what’s keeping me from making any decisions.
The first question as an interior design enthusiast is, of course, what I actually want from the space?
I think I would like something with storage because you just can never have too much storage, can you? But it’s not entirely a dealbreaker. I’d also love to have some way of displaying servewear as I love pretty plates and glasses and I’d be able to indulge myself if I had somewhere to actually put it other than on the kitchen shelves. But again, that’s not really a necessity either. Or, ya know, I can simply go with pretty. Pretty is good, right?
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As much as I’d love something to put table lamps on, there are no electrical outlets on that wall so that idea is out unfortunately. However, I do love the idea of two big pieces of art to complement the neighbouring gallery wall.
Or perhaps just one supersized piece.
The style of the console/sideboard is another challenge. With an existing piece in place, what would work best to contrast with it without it looking completely out of place? Too much matchy-matchy would make my eyeballs itch. It needs to be a different style… but what?
Would something more modern / mid-century work?
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I’m not sure it would work with the Chinoiserie chairs… Maybe something with a more ‘vintage’ vibe instead?
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Or something with lots of interesting details? Or would that be fighting with all the other details in the room?
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Or should I just forget the idea of storage and stay simple with a console table instead?
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Or should I just go all out and get a big ol’ vintage welsh dresser? It would provide both storage and display but would it be simply too ‘heavy’ for the space? If I painted it white, would that worry be addressed? I’m also conscious of the fact that we need to refinish the floors in the dining room and moving another really large piece of furniture out of the room might be a bit of a hassle. But that’s probably not a good enough reason to completely dismiss this option, right?
So as you can see, with so much choice out there, I’m drowning in ideas. Any preferences or suggestions? I’m all ears.
Yikes, decisions decisions eh?! First of all, I am LOVNG your gallery wall – that colour palette and the range of mediums you've used is definitely indeedly most swoonworthy. Particularly loving the & sign, retro martini ad and chicken sign, so fun!<br /><br />Ahem, so onto the issue at hand… Well I def agree with you about the artwork – think as the other wall is so 'busy' (
i love the idea of a china cabinet like the last one if you think it will fit well and not overtake…. it would complement the height of the gallery wall well. otherwise, i think a simple industrial piece could look really good- you know the kind, sleek metal legs and a rustic wood top. it would be simple enough not to stand out but different enough, too.
ok, because i'm a loser i just googled the rest of your dining room to refresh my memory… how's about a brassy/gold console like this http://www.amazon.co.uk/Homescapes-Embossed-Console-Dressing-Drawers/dp/B001RC5NV6 <br />it keeps with the other ethnic themes you have going on & will pick up with the sunburst mirror…<br />it will also tie in with the handles on your current piece
I love the idea of using something gold/brass to pick up the mirror! Nice one :) Thank you xx
I like the idea of something tall on that wall, to balance out the height of the fireplace and what's above it. However, it doesn't have to be too chunky. What about a tall metal etagere with glass shelves, something like this?<br />http://pinterest.com/pin/205336064232034042/<br /><br />I have a partial wall in my dining room where I'd like to put a skinny something, but I've
Vintage vintage vintage! With large-scale art above. And gold bits. Although good luck finding one of those library card catalogue multi-drawer thingies here in the UK – renovation bloggers in the US seem to be falling over the damn things but they're in distinctly short supply this side of the pond – and if one does pop up on eBay locally then you (or perhaps W?) are going to have to fight
Vintage all the way. And I think one big piece of art. If you like I can send you a super size picture of myself. Who wouldn't want to stare at that while they eat! :) (eww). Love your inspiration pics, as always!!
Wouldn't it be fun to style a china cabinet? This is the kind of thing that fuels my decisions.
Hmm difficult one! I think console table with the art leaning against it – sort of vintage but also a bit modern – not shappy chic type vintage. Hmm not really helping am I !!! Maybe some vintagey ytypography?? xx
Hi there Have just found myself 6 faux bamboo chairs and wanted to know if you used carpaint or regular satinwood finish paint at the bodywork shop you used – we have had conflicting comments from the bodywork shops so would appreciate some advice.
Our chairs are sprayed with car paint – my other half did it himself! Hope that help x
Hi there, have found 6 faux bamboo chinoiserie chairs that need repainting and we have a body shop nearby but wanted to know if you advise carpaint or regular satinwood – would really appreciate some advice as we are getting conflicting responses.
thats really kind of you to reply so quickly – did the carpaint have to be heated afterwards – a car body workshop said to us that after carpaint is applied in a normal situation it is then heated so it does not crack? Did you put a varnish on afterwards?
Thanks again
Hi Lisa, I had to speak to my other half because he’s the expert! So he said, yes, in normal situations the car paint is heated to speed up the process but no, you won’t want to do that to the chairs. However, the paint doesn’t dry via air (like a satin emulsion, for instance, would) – it dries via a chemical (catalytic) reaction. So if you leave the chairs overnight to dry in normal temperatures, it will harden and dry eventually. The colder it is, the longer it will take but it WILL go off eventually. Wayne said if the guy ‘bakes’ it at 30 degrees, it should be fine and he’ll probably want to leave them overnight. You don’t want to go any warmer than that though. Hope that helps! xxx