imlost, your aunt sounds like my kind of shopper!

Ohhh...abbyjean...I feel for you! We actually have HG, TJ Maxx and Marshall's within a couple miles of each other. As most people know by now, the TJ Maxx Corp. owns HG and Marshall's. They can all be hit-or-miss, but I've found it's best to go ahead and buy something if you're a little unsure. It might be gone when you go back, and you can always return items you decide against. Of course it helps to have the store close by!

The shelf is looking better! Have you considered a bright contemporary rug and custom slip covers for your chairs to add a punch of color?

So I covered the chairs over just the seat part over Christmas in dark blue (they were floral - and not the pretty kind like above, lol) with the idea that when we get a rug it will go nicely with everything. I have to wait until the 4 year old is a little more responsible about keeping food ON his plate :) but I think that's just another year or so - I can't wait! I do have to say that the glass on the table is FANTASTIC for that - it lets me have a table cloth and I don't have to wash it every time I turn around!

maybe someone already said this, but i would paint the furniture piece white to match the shelf above and i would trim out the sides of the shelf so it looks built into the wall. i would also raise it up to ceiling height. when finished, there would be no gap between ceiling and shelf and no gap between sides of wall and shelf.

Love reading everyone's very helpful ideas! @ Carol Rogers - can you tell me what fabric that is you posted for chair slipcovers?

Also, thought the comment about pulling out the buffet a bit from the wall was very good, and would be worth a try to see if it helps with the overall design. Can't wait to see more progress pictures

Here is a link to the slipcover above.

http://www.worldmarket.com/product/bambini+floral+anna+slipcover.do?camp=CSE%3AAmazon%3A491299&utm_medium=CSE&utm_source=Amazon&utm_campaign=491299&zmap=491299&zmac=3&zmas=1&zmam=47142862

thank you Carol, for the link on slipcovers.

So cool

Imlost- Would your current curtains give a more modern vibe if the tie backs are removed, then each set of curtains is pushed apart a bit? Btw, I am enjoying watching the progress.

Thanks - my husband can't see it - how funny is that? On the curtains, I think they are so thick that I would struggle to get them apart very far, but I'll try that over the weekend. The bottles shipped yesterday and will be here today so that can be done. The part that will take the longest are those little racks to mount the glasses to the top of the cubbies and the contact paper!

Admit that I have not read many posts, but looked at all the pictures. My impression, for what it's worth, is that the shelving unit looks too modern compared to everything else in your other house photos.

I'm wondering how it would look if you added molding around the perimeter. If you used wide enough molding so the sides touched the wall it may make the unit look like a built-in and dress it up a bit. Now it looks like it is floating, which it is.

If I could easily get photos from my phone to computer and back again I'd do a mockup, but right now my only internet is with my phone.

Because there have been a few curtain comments, I wonder if you could tie them back with a decorative scarf, some other non-traditional item or at a non-traditional height... You could use a scarf or other decoration at the rod, as well.

For the windows,remove tie backs .

To Carol Rogers...In my curio cabinet I just rearranged my wine glasses and flutes in the manner to which you showed in photos and I LOVE IT! Thanks so much.

I love the shelving unit which is the topic of discussion here and I hope we'll see the "after" photos from I'm Lost...there are so many different things you can do with it (other than "take it down" or paint it...she said neither option would work and yet I keep seeing all the helpful hinters bringing those 2 items up!) and I think that makes it difficult to decorate due to so many options! But you will carry on and get it just the way you want it with all these ideas that have been given.

I think the area has potential. What seems awkard to me is the space between the top of the unit and the ceiling and the space between the bottom of the unit and the credenza. Could you remount the unit at the edge of the ceiling? This would open up surface space on the credenza. The carry your entire collection from the unit right onto the credenza. Makes it look like that was what you intended. Perhaps glasses in unit and alcohol in both the unit and on credenza. Decorating the backs of shelf, as previously mentioned is also a great idea. Good Luck

Anyone know any good places to get wall paper? I looked at lowe's and found one that was white with gray circles but it didn't add some serious color.

Many paint stores, like Sherwin-Williams for example, also carry wallpaper.

I'll take a look at lunch today and see what I can do there.

I think that you only need a single roll for the back of the shelves . Or you could get a dramatic look by wallpapering the wall instead .

Here is another idea of mine :)

Wallpaper the wall ,paint or paint the back wall grey add grey wall paper or paint the to the back of the shelves

and visualize your space sort of like this one .

Can I just throw in my 2 Canadian Cents worth ? A question to the 'pros'

If this was mine, and looking at the dining room pictures, why not paint the whole unit a vibrate Red - would suit the wall hanging already up with a Chinese look to it ?

Love the idea of backlighting - looks great our local White Spot bar has something like that perhaps I could stop and take a picture sometime soon and upload it for you.

Since we don't have no more pennies here we must increase the value of out thoughts bigmouthbass:)) an Amateur opinion of course:) .

Let's be frank , I really like the white shelf but together with the console it don't work well even if it was painted red , If possible get something a little more to that style.

I really like most of these thoughts!! If I'm going to be completely honest, and since everyone else is, lol, I really don't have this unlimited funds to swap out tables, hire contractors to refinish or add moldings, and buy all new things :) We have a similar shelf mounted by the ceiling in another room but with the popcorn ceiling we think it looks awkward

Genevieve - I tried opening the curtains. They are so thick that if I take off the tie backs they just sit their closed and do let any sunlight in. I really like the idea of sprucing up the tie backs to something more interesting though.

Someone else had suggested painted the console - unfortunately its a wood veneer from the mid 1900s that I don't think it would take paint well - also it is a matching set of table, chairs, console and hutch.

Keep 'em coming! I hope some of the other stuff comes soon!! :)

What about leaving the wall unit as is ... although a number of the color suggestions have merit ...

And focus on a new (wood) top for the base unit ... doesn'nt even have to be permanent ... but allow the new top to extend wall to wall? ... it could be painted the darker gray ... or even a complimentary stain color ...

Great ! I like it when its told like it is ,this is honesty and reality to me , since we are on this subject I must say that I doubt very much if the majority of us on here can afford to purchase everything new and decorate our homes like those beautiful Houzz pictures ... I wish ! :)

I have to adapt to and make do with the things that I have acquired throughout the years, and try to make them fit or decorate around them the best that I can with what I have or can afford to purchase. I don't think that you should paint the cabinet, all I'm saying is If you can purchase another to go well with the style of that shelf .

You have a piece that is "mid 1900's " and a piece that is contemporary . I'm am not a Pro in the matter but I think that we can go one way or the other ,when we purchase things ,if the Modern/contemporary look is what you want then get that ,if you rather have Traditional then find a shelf that will work well with your cabinet ,if not now later ,only you can decide on what you really want ,need and on the purse strings :) For the curtains you could fix those if you really want, take them down and make them less full by cutting them in half or extend the rods. It would be nice if we all could say "money is no object " :)

Honestly the scale, color and style of shelving is wrong but you can add greenery to help

We'll get to the more modern feel all around our house eventually, lol - for now just bit by bit ;). The shape of the table and buffet, etc. is a more modern shape than the traditional pieces from that time so I was hoping I could slip in. I guess the answer is no...lol. (At least I'm trying very hard to laugh here).

To those who wanted the opinion of Pros. We Pros just have educated opinions, but opinions nonetheless. The key is to read the client and the space, then introduce creativity and knowledge. The first two keys are hard to do online. That said, I love adding pops of color, particularly through rugs and art. I also like bright spaces with lots of windows. Being trained as an architect, I like my windows naked. LOL Although, I do design window treatments for clients. As for painting furniture, it's fine sometimes, but not always.

In this instance, the shelf is unique to the room. You can make it welcome by blending it in with paint and trim, or adding other modern touches to the room. I prefer the latter. For toning it down right now, I think the wallpaper and contact paper suggestions are great!

And please don't get me wrong - I wish I could get all new furniture for our taste but that will come with time....when we finish paying for daycare and student loans, hahaha! I love the opinions and ways to integrate new things, I think it is absolutely fantastic!

And let's be honest here - you are an architect, I'm a structural engineer in background - meaning I just like straight lines and lack (sometimes) creativity!! :). And curtains are my mom - who is an amazing seamstress - and has a house full of antiques and tall ceilings :). MUCH different design thoughts which causes some clashing on occasion!! Hehe.

Would you consider painting the shelf

Sure where and what color?

Structural Engineer, huh? Very cool. My business partner is also a structural engineer. No wonder the shelf is there to stay! :)

Haha - its worse - so is my husband!

He put a ledger in the wall that hit every stud and put up angles with anchors - it may not be in the most ideal stylistically location but it sure isn't going to fall!! :)

This has been the most entertaining (instructional, informative) post I've read on houzz in a long time! Thank you everyone pros & amatures) for all the comments, especially imlost119 for being brave enough to ask about the wall unit online. (I'm not brave enough) I love houzz! Oh yes, instead of raising the unit to the ceiling, how would illuminating the top of the sheves look?

What I meant...is that an acceptable look in this case or is it too 1980ish? I love illumination. It really adds interest in many applications.

I would love some top lights but that requires some electrical - something for another day lol. Advice is always hard to take but good lol - I am thrilled with all the responses - this has been awesome!!! Here is where I am at tonight.

It looks good , http://www.michaelcfina.com/homedecor/learn/stemware/isleadcrystalsafe/

but please do not keep alcohol in the crystal for a long time :)

I did some checking - the glass bottles are okay but the big square ones are questionable - luckily those are the ones we drink more often so they won't stay in there too long

Good to hear , stay safe :)

Shelf unit is looking good now! (only the wooden vessel top right makes it look a little too heavy on that side together with the dark glass below it). You could look for battery operated LED lights, they are fairly cheap (do you have a torch light that you can put on top of the unit so you can see how it looks when there's a light up there?)

oh it'll definitely look better with light LOL :). I still have to do the wall paper/paint but that's a weekend type job.

I'll find another spot in the shelves that makes it less heavy for the barrel. We age our cocktails in the barrel so its all part of the bar area. I will say that it is actually doing exactly what I needed it to do at least at this point - holding glasses and liquors with some great insight from all of you guys!!

For those of you who always need more space - which is me - you'll appreciate this: last night I was able to move all the cook books over the fridge (because honestly almost all the recipes I use are online except the family ones) I then cleared up two shelves by the sink in a cabinet and made tons of space over the microwave in that cabinet.

YAY!

lol

I think that you've made great progress! This has probably already been mentioned but I think that adding white trim all the way around, including a crown molding and side molding wide enough so that the unit looks built in would be stunning.

Part of the problem is the several very traditional items on the chest. I would do away with the doily/scarf on the chest and coordinate the items on top of the chest with what is in the shelves. Too much contrast between the very heavy, very white shelves and the more diminutive looking, very dark chest. I am in favor of color on the back of the shelves bit I would try to coordinate it more with the furniture piece below.

The shelf is too low, raising it up all the way to the ceiling would balance it out. Then I would put all your decanters on a tray on the console underneath. I would then group the glasses on a couple of the upper shelves interspersed with other decorative objects on the remaining shelves. Contact paper would be too busy. The shelf may have to be painted out the same color as the wall but you could try it as it is first.

If its a bar area, just put bottles, glasses and everything that pertains to a bar setting. Why you driving yourself nuts over this... No matter what you put in there, everyone will love it because the main attraction and what catches the eye is the shelf itself, the way its designed, and not whats on it... or leave it empty it also looks good, its an art piece. :-)

Good luck

Something like this as a finishing touch perhaps....
https://www.etsy.com/ca/listing/156174106/bar-lighted-marquee-sign-made-of-rusted?ref=market

I've been loving this thread!

This shelf unit is a great piece! I like the idea of painting, just the back of each section. I can see it a sunny yellow. It would add that depth, but also, make everything else pop.

The sad part is we moved not long after this post. The dining room set and curtains are gone (windows with no curtains) and in this house I have some new bookshelves that I'm working on trying to do some sort of pop of color. I think we will paint the walls too.