Ever watch “What Not to Wear,” where fashion mavens Stacy London and Clinton Kelly give style advice to unwitting fashion faux pas victims, but until the very end of the show, those victims still pick out the least flattering outfits on their shopping sprees?
Well, I kinda feel like I’m one of those victims, when it comes to my home decor dilemma. I’m getting great advice, but I’m not executing well. In my last two Mud Room posts, I have received several comments from loyal readers giving me the thumbs up and thumbs down about solving my end table and lighting issue in my living room. One in particular, from Val at Retro@Home in Emeryville said that because I already have heavy pieces in my smaller living room, I should get a “lighter piece. ..something two-tiered, perhaps with a nice leg detail, and glass topped would open up the space and compliment your lamp!”
Well, that sounded good to me, so I stopped by Not Too Shabby on Bascom Avenue in San Jose, and there was a vintage bar cart, or tea cart, in the window. It was glass topped and two tiered! (I felt like I should have a camera crew following me and Clinton and Stacy shrieking in horror as I say how this is exactly what they suggested!) It has plastic wheels and a Greek gold key motif circling the edge of the oval glass. I liked the idea that it had a retro “Mad Men” feel and had a dual use. I really thought it had possibilities. But just as my first end-table choice was too heavy (and now appears headed for my den), I’m afraid this one seems too light. My husband, Chris, and my parents and a good friend, think the lamp is too heavy on top and the cart seems a little flimsy. What do you think? I know I can count on you to be honest. It’s only on approval ’til this afternoon!
Here are my previous posts on this weighty issue:
Light my Living Room: On a Mission for Style
Retro Furniture Search Ends in Husband’s Ploy for New TV
Recent Posts
Looks like you ‘ve been busy! Yes, you are correct the cart is little too dainty for the lamp and other pieces in your room. If you look at the links I sent you on 1st dibs, I would definately chose a similar silouette; the legs are tapered or have some architectural reference to the other items you have in your room and scale is everything. Anything too square or severely modern will look hard (since you’ve got the crate/room and board ottoman as a coffee table already-that’s enough contemporary modern) and lastly, the key design/greek revival detail on the glass cart in your recent travesl is too fussy -to much going on…
1950′s Italian modern or light asian reference is what I would shoot for.
Hope that helps
i say ditch it. it doesn’t fit the room. I’d keep my eyes peeled for a wooden table and get a lamp with a much smaller base. You might even get a floor lamp instead. Craig’s list ALWAYS has interesting and inexpensive furniture! have fun!
I love that cart! It may not work as a end table (maybe with a smaller lamp and a glass coffee table it would balance it a bit more, but now I’m adding more to your shopping list!), but I really, REALLY hope you find a good place for it. If not I may drive cross country and fetch it from you.
I agree with what’s been said. The cart doesn’t work. I like the suggestion of Italian modern or light asian.
Thank thank, thank you. With a tinge of regret, I returned the bar cart. I wish I could have found another spot for it, and turned it into a glamorous rolling cart topped with gorgeous bottles of liquor and a sterling silver vessel for lemon twists….But, alas, the living room is small, which is causing this whole problem to begin with! Thanks for reading. And let me know if you see somethig that might work for me.
Love the table and it looks great there but I think you need to re think the lamp. although a lovely piece don’t you thnk it would be better on a large console or table up against a wall. I think it is just to big for that spot in your room. A slimmer lamp would be better by the sofa more in scale with the table.
I like the idea of a floor lamp much more than a big side table.
I have a little Half Round shelf/table beside my own couch with a floor lamp standing beside it.
Somehow that feels less intrusive than a big table holding a big lamp.
With your colour scheme, I think something in a brushed nickel finish would blend very well.
What I like best about my half round table (other than the fact that I scored it at a thrift store for cheap and refinished it myself) is that it is just the right size for setting a cup of coffee on, but not large enough to attract a lot of clutter!
Oh! One more thing… if you pull out the colour of the pillow on your couch by having the lamp shade match it, things will look more harmonious.
I just had to see the lamp after you described it to me today. The cart had to go. Love the lamp but you need the perfect table in order for it to work in this room. I’d have to see what is in the rest of the room to give an honest opinion.
Maybe you should put your house on the Rose Garden Home Tour this fall. Then you have a fun story and everything is pulled together! I’d love to help and to see the famous screened in porch at the same time.
Hi julia,
I am crazy about your lamp but the scale is off. good for you for trying the italian cart. I love to stop in vicky’s store and have found some great treasures…don’t give up. Maybe try the great lamp on the buffet piece you have on the wall in the next room select a great shade maybe even in black and find a floor lamp you love and and a great coffee table with clean lines in front of the sofa with a little more ht than the leather bench. I love the rug. sometimes it is much harder to see your own,,,I would be happy to come by sometime for an hour or so and maybe get you to see your space in a different way…just let me know. Kathy Monarch
Hey Julia
I’m loving that cart! Just not as the end table. Scale is too large for both the cart and the lamp. Is it possible to remove the casters without damaging the piece? I feel the cart sits too high and the lamp definitely is too large.
You’ve done it once more! Incredible article!
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