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Consoles with Character

I love a beautifully styled console. .It can be a statement piece that sets the tone in an entry. It might even reveal a little bit about the personality of the owner. It is a great place to display collections of things. In this post Consoles with Character, I am featuring some of my own designs and some of my favorites. I originally wrote this post back in 2012.  It is still making its rounds around social media, missing photos and all. I decided to rewrite it with some of today’s favorites.

consoles with character consoles with character

When styling a console be sure to keep in mind the balance, structure, texture, and scale of the items you want to display. Then decide if you prefer a symmetrical (like my friend Dylan from Instagram)  look or a more challenging asymmetrical design.

Dylansbmide on Instagram console

Symmetrical arrangements tend to look more classic and orderly.  They are usually created with pairs of things, ie candlesticks, lamps, ottomans, etc.  The artwork is usually hung in a balanced fashion as well. James Farmer often prefers a symmetrical look in his designs.

james farmer collected entry

This beautiful design by the talented Caroline Gidiere is a symmetrical design but all of the texture, color and natural elements take the edge off of the symmetry.

caroline gidiere design entry console

Asymmetrical arrangements can be a little trickier for the amateur, or anyone else for that matter. They usually begin with something tall on one side next to some randomly placed objects. Repetition of one or more of the objects can help unify the look.  Jill Sharp Weeks is the master of the asymmetrical and unexpected in her designs.

jill sharp weeks console and gallery wall

Cedar and Limestone’s beautiful console is laden with books, and collections.  And oh those giant branches seal the look, don’t they?

cedar and limestone console

This entry from my Carmel Valley project displays the artwork of the owner’s children.

carmel valley entry console_ by cindy Hattersley

On a long narrow wall, it can give a room character without crowding the space, like this bedroom by James Michael Howard. Imagine this room without the console.

james michael howard designed bedroom

 My son and daughter in law have a long narrow wall that leads out to their backyard. It was calling out for some love.  I styled it here multiple ways in the post, How to Style a Console.

 

Cindy Hattersley Designed Console Table with Bust closeup

This beauty by one of my all-time favorites, Jeffrey Dungan serves as a display piece in the architect’s getaway.  I imagine this gets changed out on a regular basis. Nothing is it could easily be redone or repurposed on a whim.

jeffrey dungan conole piece

We had this console custom-made a few years back for a young family.  The tv console provides a home for the children’s games, projects, etc.

fort custom console

A console table in a dining room is a natural fit.  It can perform double duty by providing extra serving space for large gatherings. I imagine this wonderful console in Mark Sikes Portola Valley project could play host to a bar or be laden with buffet items for a dinner party.

mark sikes portola valley dining room

I love how designer A Wooten carved out this space at the base of the stairs for extra dining.  The console (grounded with two ottomans) can be cleared and used as extra buffet service, or a pop up bar.

A Wooten Decorated Dining Space for Serenbe Showhouse

Designer Sarah Bartholomew’s beautifully styled console in this dining room welcomes guests.

sarah bartholomew designed dining room

If a console piece has a bare bottom, I love something tucked underneath to fill up space. The same console (my son’s from above) we styled with an old traveling trunk tucked underneath for unexpected interest.

cindy hattersley designed console with modern art

A pair of cute stools…

CINDY HATTERSLEY DESIGNED CONSOLE WITH TARGET LANTERNS

 

Or the beachcomber baskets from Pottery Barn.  They can be filled with extra pillows, throws, or magazines. The lanterns are from Target. The painting of their dog is by Pat Huber. The mirror is no longer available but similar here. You can find a similar wine bottle on Anthropologie here.

Cindy Hattersley designed console with bust and mirror

Love the giant ottoman and the mix of textures and styles in this one by the talented Amy Meier.

amy morris entry console

Love these Serena and Lily stools that my pal Annie used to anchor her console in her former home. Annie is more of a minimalist by nature, but she still added her rock collection, a watercolor, and a Serena and Lily lamp to make it personal.

Annie Diamond's Collected Entry

 

I hope you enjoyed Consoles with Character. You might also enjoy: Ten Rough Luxe Consoles You can Copy, or  How to Style a Console Don’t overthink your styling if you have a console piece.  Make it personal and inviting, and you won’t be disappointed. Just for fun let’s play a game. If a console table is an opening statement that tells us something about the owner of the house, which one of the above would you like to meet and why?

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Annie Diamond says

    Wow! I can’t believe my console made the cut with all these amazing and drop dead gorgeous rooms with consoles! I think it’s fair to say it’s the Serena & Lily Cooper stools that get you!! Thanks candy, for including me!
    xoxo

    • Cindy Hattersley says

      Hi Annie

      I have always loved that console and the different iterations you have done to it. So clever. I do love those Serena and Lily stools. You are right about that. However, it is what you do to it that gets me every time!!

  2. Cynthia Adams says

    I’m noticing what I think are silk plants here. Is that ok these days?

    • Cindy Hattersley says

      Hi Cynthia

      Wow, you have a better eye than I. I didn’t spot any. Maybe Dylan’s? We would have to ask her!

  3. Karen B. says

    Hi Cindy,
    I love the examples of consoles that have symmetry or not. I’m always looking for inspiration for the finishing touches around the house.
    Thak you,
    xo,
    Karen

    • Cindy Hattersley says

      Hi Karen

      I like both styles as well. I think I am more of an asymmetrical girl but I have one in my home that is totally symmetrical due to what is on it and space it is in.

  4. Elizabeth says

    Cindy, this post is just one example of why your blog is so popular and classic. You tackle projects that are timely and timeless. I loved every example.

    • Cindy Hattersley says

      Elizabeth that is so kind of you to say. I feel the same way about your blog!!

  5. Heidi says

    HI Cindy,
    I really can’t pick a favorite, they are all perfect for the space they are in.
    Am I wrong to style my console asymmetrically, on only one side? It sits at the side of the stairs, and I just put things one the opposite end. I like to have room to drop things that need to go downstairs. The console is rarely viewed from the front, but rather the end, this seems to be the best way to handle it. But now that I’m looking at all the others, I may have a little rearranging to do!
    Thanks for all the pretty inspiration!
    XO Heidi

    • Cindy Hattersley says

      Hi Heidi

      I love it you are a practical woman!! That sounds like something I would do. Especially now that space is at a premium!!

    • Cindy Hattersley says

      I found that for them at my favorite junk shop as I call it. I always tell them if they get sick of her I will take her!!

  6. Liana says

    I love consoles but have always found hard to style . The picture of the console on your son’s home is my favorite, all the different textures and the airy feel of it. Their dog’s artwork , what a treasure . .

  7. Wren says

    Hard choice to make but two tie. They are the ones by Caroline Gidiere and Sarah Bartholomew. Both are pretty well packed full and I don’t know why I’m drawn to them since I don’t accessories like that. I do love blue and white and that one is kind of perfectly imperfect, not quite mirrored, one side to the other.
    The practical me says who wants to dust around all of those pieces!?
    Good ideas for inspiration, Cindy~

    • Cindy Hattersley says

      Hi Wren

      I believe it is because they are so beautifully done. Ahhh dusting now that is a problem!!

  8. Pamela Whitcomb says

    They are each lovely in their own way…it would be hard for me to choose just one! I especially liked seeing you in the mirror in a couple of shots! 🙂

  9. home before dark says

    I like the one you did for your son and daughter in law. Particularly the wise use of texture. In my library/den/dining room adjacent to kitchen, I struggled to find a piece that looked good from both sides. Finally found a desk from RH. My “theme” for the space was The cabinet of curiosities meets up with The Grand Tour. So natural elements, architectural elements, books, blue and white pottery. Underneath are two stools covered in mud cloth.Works for me.
    TOT? maybe not but your dining room enigma is just a not very tall console, right? You already know what to do! BTW Mary Ann’s putting herbs into a white tureen on a kitchen counter still haunts me. I don’t have counter space…but you could solve your dying plant problems by putting herbs in their pots in 1 or 2 containers and snip away and cook with and replace like light bulbs!!

    • Cindy Hattersley says

      Hi Patricia

      Yes you are very right about the dining room built-in…It has a not-so-tall space in between the top and bottom. Of course, it is not my style either but hey there is a lot of storage that I really appreciate. Great idea about the herbs! Once I get them growing that is. My problem with indoor plants is I only like standards or something “flowy” like a fern.

  10. kim says

    Cindy love this post so much. I am hugely inspired!! The consoles you did might be my favorite of all of these. I think I need more cool objects. I do love how people have unique ones and in areas you don’t expect like the bedroom, and under the stairs. Wonderfully fun blog! xo

    • Cindy Hattersley says

      Hi Kim

      I just love all of the styling as well. I am always drawn to a great console for some reason.

  11. designchic says

    What a gorgeous post – I do so love a console. Whether light or dark, solid or open, there always seems to be a perfect spot for one…adore the one with the black leather books…don't know which I love more, the books or the console…fabulous!!

  12. Ivy Clad says

    I completely love the console in the first photo. It looks like it would tell the most fabulous old stories if only it could talk. I also like the one in the Amy Howard photo because its so chic and pretty.

    I have a console table in my house that I eyed in an antique store for about 18 months. I thought I had nowhere to put it, but when the store closed and the price fell by well over half, I suddenly knew just where it would go!

    Thanks for your visit to my place the other day! I appreciate your kind comment.

    Talk to you again soon!
    Keri

  13. Barbara@HausDesign says

    I loved so many of these. The one with the greek key fabric cover inspired me. I have a connsole in our garage right now that I was ready to donate. It is scratched on top and not of great quality, plus I haven't found the perfect spot for it. I think I'll hold on to it now – perhaps I'll find the right spot and then get a cover made to use it in a whole new way – thanks Cindy!

  14. Loi Thai, Tone on Tone says

    Cindy – Hi! I love consoles, especially antique ones. They are so versatile and can go in any room. When styling them, I prefer symmetry (more or less). It's a bit safe, but pleasing to the eye. I'd want to meet all the homeowners and designers above, as I find the pieces in the photos so interesting.
    xoxo,
    Loi

  15. Jeanne @ Collage of Life says

    Love games! No question for me Cindy…Nathan Turner's table got the ooh and ahh from me. Mostly for the fantastic wall hanging and the books. You also have just complicated my life tremendously. I have that table, a long French dining table (made in Australia) and thought I would ship it into storage in Australia as I only have room for one dining table in Vietnam. But… now I see that against a wall, with books, a few lamps and possibly a Vietnamese wall hanging…I could do this. I just have to decide what I will trade as the container is full as it is… 🙂

    Second place…the photo with the dog and the cat…such a great shot and I love that basket!

    This was fun… more please. 🙂

    Jeanne xx

    • cindy hattersley design says

      Yes that wall hanging! I am wondering if it was a fire screen…very rhufus porter like…I can't imagine how hard it is knowing what to store and what to take…especially when moving to an entirely different climate!

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