Well my lovelies, did everyone have a nice Easter? I admit, we basically worked all weekend on the office for the One Room Challenge and I have a feeling the next few weeks are going to go by in a blur so if you don’t hear quite as much from me on days other than Wednesday, you’ll know why. There’s just so much work going on, it doesn’t allow me a lot of time to concentrate on other things! Excuses, excuses, I KNOW.
Regardless, I wanted to pop in today because I recently took a bit of a gamble purchasing a pretty inexpensive mid-century modern sideboard from eBay for the office. The listing shots were pretty grim looking but it appeared to have some potential and it was half the price of some of the others I had been pining over so I held my breath and hit ‘buy it now’. Well the risk paid off – it was delivered on Friday and I have fallen hard in love with it. I’ll be sharing that with you as we go through the challenge (sorry no cheating allowed, updates on Wednesdays only!) but in the meantime, I thought it might be nice to look at some inspirational mid-century sideboard styling if only to get my brain engaged about styling my own.
I have to admit, I use the word ‘sideboard’ while I know others may call it a ‘credenza’ and there’s probably a couple that might be considered ‘buffets’ here as well. There are all sorts of explanations in terms of what the correct terms are but let’s just all agree to call them sideboards for the sake of this post, no matter whether they are in the living room or dining room or bedroom or wherever else you want to put them or how long their legs are or whether you are actually putting food on them or just your books and tchotchkes, ad nauseum, okay?
Anyway, plants. Yes. Plants are a must. Or at least some flowers. Something living is always good on any surface really, not just a sideboard but that long area for display just calls out for something green, doesn’t it?
There is also the absolute requirement for art. I mean, in my eyes, you can’t have a big blank wall without something on it (hello, maximalists of the world unite) but I can’t be looking at a big blank boring wall – I want to my senses to be engaged. So art is another thing I’ve got to put on mine. And how cute is Jude Law in this next picture? Awww.
Of course, big art is bad ass so yeah, if you get something really amazing and huge, then definitely it’s a big yes from me. I love how this piece has been majorly glammed up.
I mean, just because it’s mid-century doesn’t mean the entire room around it needs to be rigidly within that time period as well, right? See, that’s the beauty of eclecticism – instead of having a home that looks like a homage to a certain period of time, mixing styles immediately makes it look more timeless. So of course, in my room, I’ll be doing a lot of that!
Speaking of rule breaking, it doesn’t have to be art above the sideboard to style it – why not a rug? Yeah why NOT a rug? Looks cool, doesn’t it?
Now, I’m including this next one because we’ve got a TV above our sideboard in the dining room as unusual as that may be and while this is not the plan in the office of course, it’s worth showing the way to style it right.
And finally, I wanted to include this one because the colours are awesome. And that’s really the only thing I wanted to say about that. I mean, there’s a lot of mid-century going on here (which like I said, I prefer to stay away from otherwise it ends up looking like a time capsule) but that dark wall and yellow seat are just all kinds of yes in my eyes.
So tell me, do you have a mid century sideboard in your home and if so, how do you style yours?
Image sources: Amber Interiors / Jantien de Bood for HomeLife / Architectural Digest / Bethany Nauert for Domaine / Urban Outfitters via Apartment Therapy / Hunted Interior / A Beautiful Mess
Loooove MC sidetboards and have been scouring for one for a good long while too to hold our television. I, like you, prefer to mix styles ao i agree about the time capsule comment. I love the pic with the textile hanging above. Cant wait to see the one you scored!
I haven’t had a need for one anywhere but as soon as the office remodel came up, I just knew I wanted one for in there! :D Good luck with your search xxx
*sideboards
I want an MCM sideboard badly. And I adore the Jude photo with lots of hair ;) Oh and the black and white art. So good
I’ve been searching for ages myself, I can’t wait to share the one I got! :D And isn’t that artwork amazing? I love it too! xxx
Thank you so much for this! I just bought an mcm table and six chairs for the ridiculous price of…$80. And now I want a sideboard to match! But I don’t want it to be too “time capsule-ish” either.
What a deal!! That’s amazing! You could probably go with a sideboard but just be sure to throw something off in other ways – an oriental style rug or really ornate lighting perhaps if you want to avoid the ‘time capsule’ thing :D xxx
Thanks so much for the response! I’m in no rush, so my idea may evolve. It’s in my dining room/library (floor-to-ceiling bookshelves), and my house is over 100 years old, so I don’t think it will read *too* time capsule. I’m on the hunt for a rug, though…
Oh it sounds like an amazing room!! Good luck with it! :D xx
I swear I think we share a brain sometimes. I’ve been hunting for one lately for an upcoming project. I just love them! xo
Ha!! Good luck with your search ;) xx
Hehe, I never know what to call that type of furniture piece either – I jokingly landed on “credenzboard” once, so that’s how I refer to them now :) I can’t wait to see the one you scored!!!
LOL! I like ‘credenzboard’- think furniture manufacturers should just settle on that one and everyone’s a winner! xx
Love a sideboard, have been searching eBay for one for months now, have seen a few I love, but haven’t committed to buying…waiting for THE one…
I actually THOUGHT I was settling on the one I got but I’m so happy with it – it’s so hard to decide though, isn’t it? Good luck with finding the ONE ;) xx
You always give the best Home Decor tips and provide the best photo roundup. I love it and it is so on point with what is current today.
Aww that is so sweet of you Jessica!! Thank you doll, I’m happy you found it helpful! xxx
Absolutely love this, great minds definitely think alike lovely! :) I’ll tweet you a pic once I get my sideboard and see what you think
Vic xx
http://www.apartmentnumber4.com
Oh yes!! So funny, we both have mid century sideboards on the brain! lol Can’t wait to see what you decide ;) xxx
I love the black one with the gold lamps best! xx
Me too!! :D xxx
Where can I find the dresser where Jude Law is on? must have!!