There comes a time when one gets tired of the constant rain in Vancouver. Tired of waiting for Spring. When looking at my undecorated console just gets old. So I took matters into my own hands today and this is what I came up with:
Photos by Maria KillamDon’t forget the tablescape for the top
A few white tulips to brighten up the space, Stack of Magazines and a bowl of green balls.
Console from Chintz & Co.Rule of Three
Here is what I found for my console today. Since this piece is the focal point of my living room, it can’t just have a bunch of ‘stuff’ underneath. The two mercury vases on the right I already had from Christmas, because they are like a set, they visually look like a group of 1. the lantern, 2. and the stack of books 3. Odd numbers look better than evens when creating a vignette, unless you are doing something symmetrical on either side of your mantle for example.
I had some river rocks sitting in a container so I poured some into the bottom of my new distressed lantern from. . . where else? Homesense of course. . .I like the X’s. I’m hoping the candle is far enough away from the top of the console that having one on won’t turn it black.
Consider the Balance
See how I have the tallest piece in the middle? It’s like a triangle. Thinking in terms of a triangle works when placing bookshelves in a space for example Instead of creating a roller coaster effect and having them spread apart in the room, place them side by side. This decorating guideline works in many circumstances.
Notice the pieces are neutral but all of it is outlined by my sunflower yellow sofa!
Stack some Books or Magazines
And no vignette is really complete without a stack of books which in this case act as a pedestal for my oversized but awesome fake coral which also came from my Homesense trip this morning. I took some of the jacket covers off because I wanted the overall look to read black and white.
As I’ve said before, we are so lacking in home decor stores in this town it’s rare that I drive by a Homesense without stopping in to take a look. I’ve debated getting a bumper sticker for my car that says ‘Caution, this car will stop in front of Homesense’. Okay I’m kidding.
What are you up to this weekend? I might even get out my paintbrush. . . I’m bringing Spring here kicking and screaming!
Related posts:
How to Create a Vignette or Tablescape (Washington Post Blog Watch)
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Maria, sunny Calif is not sunny today. It looks like Washington weather here and will be for 5 days, they say!!! I really like what you did on your console. Everytime I see you bright yellow sofa I smile, I love it and then the pop of the polkadot on the backs of your chairs and I smile even bigger. Love what you have done so far. Kathysue
beautiful tablescape & balance with style and sense of spring…Happy Saturday, Maria!
I am new to your blog and loving every article you write. I too can't wait for spring and am sick of looking at my boring sofa table that needs something on top and under. Thanks for the ideas!
When you first bought the console, it looked so big, now with the accessories, it's gorgeous…
Raining in S.F. for the past few days, staying inside with the doggie and the heater. Today the big venture will be to PetSource. Spring is around the corner…
Hello, my dear Maria!
Great ideas! I have this LOVE for consoles! You can be so creative with and display special things for you.
Hope you're enjoying your weekend!
xo
Luciane at HomeBunh.com
Love your vignettes on the top and the bottom. The tulips are fabulous. I need to get some. Hugs, Marty
Very pretty! Bunches of daffodils are on sale at my local market so that's my spring addition. Also cleaned out my muddy garden today (around the leftover piles of snow!!!)
Hurry up, spring! The promise of it is frustrating and oh-so exciting at the same time… Tulips always help, though 🙂
You know, I wasn't sure what I thought of the console when I first saw it in an earlier post, but now that the decor is in place, I love it. You have such a good eye!
I love the lantern. It looks vintage.
Hailing and now raining here in Idaho. Motivated me, however, to "create" — reupholstered a bench in a Dwell Studio pattern, Bella Porte Brindle, love it. Easy, easy, the staple-gun is my friend.
The organic shapes in the coral, legs of your console, the mercury vases, and the neutral colors are beautiful. Looks like a gray wash on my computer for the neutrals. Top of console and underneath — pleasing picture. Love the tulips!
Looks great! And I'm with you on the HomeSense bumper sticker, lol!
Maria,
I'm ready for Spring too. I absolutely love your unique console and what you've done on top as well as below.
I recently "styled" an old cupboard with books and vintage finds. Please check it out.
http://allaboutvignettes.blogspot.com/2011/02/styling-bookcase.html
Hi Maria,
it's in the 80s in Texas already, where did spring go? It's almost over already and I am waiting for rain! The arrangement underneath your console looks very pretty. I like those bright and welcoming colors. Pretty 🙂
Franziska San Pedro
The Abstract Impressionist Artress
The sunny color of your sofa is definitely a wonderful backdrop for your neutral vignette. Love your large lantern! I always love your vignettes, Maria!
xo
Brooke
Maria,
You might look for those remote controlled candles to put in your lantern. Then, you wouldn't have to worry about hurting the couch and click the light from afar whenever you wanted to enjoy the flickering light. Amazon.com sells them. A cottage we rented in Seattle had them on the fireplace mantel — ambience and safety, all in one.
The photo taken from above looking down looks great!
I love the photo of the little one, its precious. Your pictures to cheer up the room are great. I hear ya, spring in Ontario isn't for about another month, although it is maple syrup season, just had our first batch with french toast, mmmm.
You did a beautiful job! I love the coral on top of the books. I like how you didn't make the books even – it's much more interesting that way and you have inpsired me to do that with some of my tablescapes! I just posted a series about tablescapes if you'd like to take a look – it's called "Tisch" and it's a three part series…
http://bjdhausdesign.blogspot.com/
it's lovely. Looking at it through the experienced eyes of a cat owner, however … there is a reason my decor runs to basketry, tapestry, and wall art.
The vase of flowers will last only until a cat decides to taste the flowers or tip it over to get a drink.
The coral will be tried as a sleeping spot and acquire a veneer of cat hair. Until it gets broken.
The mercury vases, lantern and coral will all bite the dust at 3AM when the resident felines decide to make a full speed race course around the couch and take a shortcut through the console legs.
The green balls are cat toys, and the thing holding them is a hindrance to play. It must die.
The glass thing on the book … they will shove it off the console so they can BE the centerpiece.
Loooks good and we could use some of that sunny yellow here in sunny (?) southern california. Try using the battery operated candles in your hurricane…they are so realistic nowadays and this would allow you to use a large candle for more light.
what a great idea for a post! love your console table and how you've styled it, maria 🙂
That bird's eye view shot of your sofa & console is just gorgeous and the colour palette is eye candy – fresh and happy – I love it.
The console landscape looks really good and since it's the first thing you see when you walk into the room it has to be eye-catching and interesting – and it is!
Maria– Beautiful! The mercury glass is especially pretty.
What am I up to this weekend? I am looking at a plumbing problem this weekend. Both toilets in my house are failing. I so want to spend money on things other than plumbing!
Loretta
That is very good comment you shared.Thank you so much that for you shared those things with us.Im wishing you to carry on with ur achivments.All the best.
Like your under the console vignette….I think I would put the lantern at an angle with a corner to the front! 🙂
xx
What a great look, and I love how you explained it all.
It looks so pretty Maria!!! Love the lantern and the feeling of the vignette.
xoxo,
lauren
Love it thanks for sharing!
Maria..this is such a great post! I love when you show us how to decorate. :o)
Your vignettes and tablescapes are always so good! What a great principle about triangles. I'll have to think about that one for a while.
I just can't believe I missed so many posts! You must have thought I fell off the edge of the planet or something. :O)
Every one of your posts teaches me so much. Thanks for writing and for sharing your know how with us.
xo
Donna