Gem is moving to a new spot in town next month. I walked by the current location on my way back from class last week and spotted a sign that guaranteed a slight detour from heading straight home. (And look, the trees have exploded with spring flowers! Oak Park was just named an arboretum, you know.)
I fell a little bit in love with a ring while I was there, but it had diamonds and rubies and was priced accordingly. There were snakes on it though! Subtle snakes — the best kind. I can’t impulse-buy a $1000 ring, but I can snap up a red console with drawers for $200. Behold.
Have you seen the latest Anthropologie home catalog/lookbook? I’ve had this image from “the optimist’s house” in my head because I loved that lacquered blue bar in the corner.
It’s not that I wanted that exact piece. I was inspired more by the idea of something in a bright color to give a little oomph to a corner of our living room, and I made a mental note to keep a lookout for the right fit. Something with interesting lines, that either had gotten a paint job already or that could stand to benefit from one. I admired that red console when I spotted it at Gem, not sure where I would use it until I measured it and realized it would fit opposite the teal sofa! It came home with me later that day.
I might scoot that mirror up a bit now (the previous table it hung above was several inches lower), but I’m not mad at it. I’d shrink the console down by 10% if I could too — it fits, but it bumps up against the edge of the trim. Again though, I’m not mad at it.
Red! Pink! Mixed metals, wood, and black! This little corner is looking pretty fantastic. I had to buy a couple of nude ceramic figures while I was there too, as one does.
I snipped the lilacs for those vases from our backyard. Thank you, spring. Thank you, too, sidewalk placard at Gem! So glad I stopped in.
29 comments
Alex
Hello,
Could you tell me where you purchased that beautiful mirror?
Shavonda@SGStyle
Don’t you just love when that happens! And that peacock mirror is so so fab paired with it!!
Christina @ Victorian House Plans
Gorgeous nonetheless…. There is something about antique furniture and Victorian House Designs that go hand-in-hand… ^_^ Thanks for sharing…
laura kitsos
Nicole- thanks for the mention and for sharing your beautiful home with us–very inspiring to see your touches throughout the house; I especially love the dark walls and the cool mirror above the sideboard. I would love to see what you’ve concocted with the low bench!
Making it Lovely
Thanks! The bench is going in the upstairs hallway, but I have some art on the way to hang above it. Once it’s all here, I’ll be photographing and sharing!
mary beth
love the red console against the dark wall, nice pop.
judy
I love your juxtaposition of disparate objects that just flow into such pretty vignettes. Your décor has such a combining of sophisticated elegance with a lovely cozy family vibe. I know from your watercolors that you have an Artists eye and it shows very much in your décor
The Office Stylist
No way! That red console table is gorgeous. It looks awesome next to the modern decor in your home. It’s the perfect match.
Jana
The console corner looks fantastic, and your writing is so fun to read. You crack me up.
Bethann
Love the red console find and the pop of color it brings to the space! Your nudes Adam and Eve resting on “Anatomy” and above “The Sick Rose” about medical diseases made me laugh out loud here at Starbucks! Love your sneaky humor!!
Making it Lovely
Ha! And underneath is a book on Henry Darger.
Lucas
Have you ever been to the Roger Brown House on Halsted just south of Armitage. There’s a huge Darger Hanging in the space. Its interesting to see his work in a more “domestic” environment. What fun for your kids to grow up in a house with such a rich collecion of books and subject matter!
Norm
Everything is lovely, but the lilacs made me homesick. I was born in Chicago and lilacs are my mother’s favorite. Unfortunately we can’t grow them in North Carolina.
Julia
Would love to see it in context of the whole room! The little vignettes are cute but I can’t get a clear idea of the furniture placement.
Making it Lovely
I think I’m going to turn the secretary in the library ninety degrees for better sight lines between the two spaces, but I couldn’t move that big iron desk myself and Brandon was out when I was taking pictures. Once I get things changed around I’ll take a few shots from farther back! I’ve been playing around with my floor plan too — I can post that at the same time.
Laurie
Oh I LOVE it against the dark wall! I’m looking at my little buffet differently now. Maybe it just needs some red paint…
Your mother
You just inspired me to go clip some lilacs from
The backyard!
Marcee ... ILLINOIS
Wow wee! So love the red console! Hardware is groovin. Golly, you really hit the jackpot on this piece Nicole. Matches perfect with the two sofas. Also wonderful looking with floral print chair. Love that! Reds, whites and blues go so well together! Our wrap around front porch has this theme. Lovely to look at. In the summertime, we usually hang impatients ….. a darker shade of pink.
Making it Lovely
Sounds so nice. I’m looking forward to putting out some flowers on the porch, but it might be just a smidge too early still.
Chris Hart
Score!!!!! Great find!
Sarah
What a steal! It looks great!
Jane
I love the nakeds!! I love being inspired by your creativity!
Laura @ RatherSquare.com
The red lacquer and the mirrored mirror almost give that corner a Southeast-Asian look now. I feel like one might find some ancient oriental treasures in those drawers! Is it an old piece of furniture, or just distressed to look like it?
Making it Lovely
I didn’t realize it when I bought it (or I would have mentioned it in the post), but the owner of Gem said that it came from Jayson Home. It was the cash wrap when Gem was on Damen.
Danielle
Love the console – congrats on the awesome score!
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