entrance hall with desk on left and console table in question on right.consol
What will work with this antique desk in my entrance hall?
by
Patti
+21
I have a new home and have a really pretty antique captain's desk in the entry. I need something on the opposite wall, but am struggling with what to put there. The console table shown is a freebie I was trying. I know the color is all wrong, but if it was painted with black chalk paint and distressed would it work. The style seems wrong to me, but can't quite picture how it would look. Again, I know the color won't work (it is old but NOT antique so can be painted). What about a bench?? Maybe a plainer console table?? Considered a mirror or painting, but either of those will have to wait. NOT in the budget! Thanks for any help from you amateur or professional designers.
Also note the direction of the door opening. Is the desk on the best wall. I've tried it on both and it seems better to me on the other wall, but I've been advised it needs to be on the wall it is on in the picture! I know it's really up to me, but I could use some help.
console table - will this work if it was black distressed finish?
Do you mean that you are removing the chairs that are there and you want to know what to put in there place? Wall art, a bookcase, a cubby to hang coats and store dirty or wet shoes, a bench for sitting down and taking shoes on or off (a padded cedar chest would work).
Hi Patti. I do think a mirror would be beautiful there. Otherwise for now to keep it more open I would just leave it empty until you can purchase a mirror. Keep your eyes open at Goodwill.
Reminds me of a sofa table. A piece of furniture that sits behind a sofa.
Yes, I think you have the desk on the correct wall for the door swing. I think the console table is 'too much' but definitely wall art, perhaps some lighting, lighter paint and brighter rug...perhaps not so traditional. Start looking for ideas here, in magazines, on Houzz, etc.
I think the desk should be on the other wall, where your sofa table is now. That way it will be the first thing you see, when you walk in and also an opportunity to hang a long coat rack (wall hanging) on the ' now' opposite wall closer to the doorway, so that when the door opens it gets hidden by the door being opened. The desk should probably be the only, piece of furniture in there to keep the hallway from being cluttered or overwhelmed. It is a beautiful focal point that can be used to hold keys, mail, etc. If there is a kneehole opening in the desk a tuck-away beautiful hassock would be beautiful and keep the area clutter free, far better than that heavy bulky captains chair. Hope that helps
I like the table but I feel the balance is off compared to the piece of furniture across from it. I do think something hung on the wall above the little table could really help with that balance. Have you checked good wills and thrift stores for artwork or mirrors? They've got really amazing deals online right now for canvas prints because its the holiday season too.
I think the balance if off too, but didn't want to do anything with artwork or mirrors until I decided whether the table was going to work. If I think it will, I'll paint it and then choose prints, mirrors or a combination. I know I need "stuff" on the walls. Maybe I will just go ahead and paint it, then hang some stuff. I can always try something different if it doesn't work. I just have such a limited amount of time to play with it but I really need to see it in place sometimes to know what to do. I appreciate everyone's input.
A cubby to store wet or dirty shoes, wet or dirty coats would be nice. It is also nice to be able to sit down and put shoes on. Why can't it be for both looks and function?
I agree with those who think the desk should stand proud and alone on the other wall. If you really want something across from it, you could so a family gallery with photos of your family. I do think that a large mirror would look nice, but I'd try it out with a large piece of cardboard covered with aluminum foil then some pieces of paper to simulate the family pictures around it. That way you can test the idea without buying anything. If it looks too cluttered, take everything down and don't do it. If you like it, you can use the simulators to figure out placement. Wishing you the best.
I wouldn't put anything opposite the wall. The desk is pretty on its own (use it as a focal point and surround it with other things like a mirror or photos, etc. Your entry way isn't all that large and will look very cluttered.
That sounds like a great idea Patti! And you're right, worst case scenario would simply mean some putty and some paint. If it's freshly painted, you might not even have to paint the entire wall if you can feather it with the roller. :) Good luck!
OK, I shopped my storage room and this is how it looks now. I'm much happier with it, but will still need to decide IF I'm keeping the table and if so what color it will be...darker stain or painted. I may put a wall shelf on the right and just take out the table. Thanks again to you all for your input. On to the next project!!
You have a spacious and grand entrance so leave it big! IMO the sofa table does make it seem confined so I'd take it out. You could always put it back if you want. As for a shelf, I'd be afraid visitors may bump into it. Good job on the portrait layout, it is very nice. I love the antiques.....they are your focal point! Enjoy your next adventure!
I would take the chair out. It is competing with the desk and the table, is too heavy for the area. It looks like it was put there because maybe you didn't know what to do with it, or didn't fit anywhere else in the home, so it just got stuck in the spare floor space beside the desk.
A hallway foyer is not an office, or a waiting room, so even though the desk is there, you do not need a large formal chair such as this one. The desk has presence enough and can hold its own in the space without a chair added on beside it.