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I want that "WOW" factor

12 years ago
I keep buying and returning, I bought this chest and mirror for my dining room/foyer area. I don't want to get rid of the ship decanter, it's a gift from Germany and I really like my red area rug but the whole area is still lacking. What should I do to give it that "wow" factor.

Comments (31)

  • 12 years ago
    take away the vase and add something green
    Diane thanked mmeggie
  • 12 years ago
    mmeggie, as in a live plant?
  • 12 years ago
    A rectangular console table (with a small drawer?) and a lower shelf. Place the red vessel on the lower shelf off-center, remove the white lamp and the cord that is traveling along the wall to the left (is there a ceiling fixture in that space? You don't need a table lamp).

    The grandfather clock is tremendously bulky, so an open console table will work well with it. The hour glass shape of the current chest is too stylized and distracting--the clock speaks to a more traditional style.

    As for the mirror--I think the chest is competing with it for attention. If you find a simple console then the mirror just might make a new and improved impression, although I suspect a more classic rectangle is going to do the trick.

    To get ideas for a console, look at crateandbarrel.com and Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams online for inspiration. MGBW are prohibitively expensive, but you'll find lots of good ideas there. Crate and Barrel has some interesting marble-topped console tables right now. Good luck!
    Diane thanked Meet Me at the Wrecking Ball
  • 12 years ago
    Thank you for your suggestion but the chest can not be moved, I paid a lot of money for it and bought it for that area, I am looking for help on how to decorate the top of it, should I add some black, green, etc.
  • 12 years ago
    Your rug is a definite WOW! It's lovely!
    Diane thanked puffle111
  • 12 years ago
    last modified: 12 years ago
    I think that you almost have accomplished the "WOW factor" if you could add wall paper behind the beautiful cabinet that would do it all the way ,something in foil would be my choice .
    Charmed Wallpaper, White/Black, Roll · More Info
    Diane thanked Geneviève
  • 12 years ago
    Genevieve, thank you the wallpaper is beautiful, but I can't do anything to the walls just yet, I have to wait a year, I need some changes on the top of the chest, any suggestions?
  • PRO
    12 years ago
    last modified: 12 years ago
    These are all nice pieces but you are right they are not working as well as they could. I would lower the mirror by about 6" and remove everything from the dresser. Less is more in this case. The red urn on the floor is distracting the eye from the beautiful dresser and mirror. Consider moving it elsewhere in the room. If the dresser looks empty then put one very elegant and red object there. Finally reposition the round red area rug in the centre of this foyer (centred on front door) even if part of it is under the dresser. Good luck from Montreal!
    Diane thanked Rebecca Mitchell Interiors
  • 12 years ago
    Love the rug. I think the glass is not making any statement and everything is "lined up". Maybe a tall lamp and a taller plant, maybe an orchid. I opt for real plants, but if you go "fake" buy a good one. Also I think color on your walls will make a big difference when you are ready to do that. Maybe some sort of tall twigs in the red vase would work, just a thought.
    Diane thanked tkilgore
  • 12 years ago
    I was about to write to lower the mirror as well or if you can get a larger one .

    Custom Finished Tulip Mirror Handpainted Old World Finish · More Info
    ]
    Diane thanked Geneviève
  • 12 years ago
    I think your chest and mirror are beautiful, and the grandfather clock just adds to your eclectic taste. I would just add a small green lamp or picture frame, as the plant might damage your chest when watering.
    Diane thanked mmeggie
  • 12 years ago
    HI -- Love the chest , but the top is not that big and your doing that 1 2 3 display .. left right center . The left vase hardly shows , so can you remove that . How about adding in another color with pattern . Put a big Asian style lidded jar in blue and white . Move the decanter set over to right a bit and the add a potted orchid (blue and white Asian footed pot ) behind on the right back corner . The orchid will add some height up and on the side of the mirror.There is no need to have some thing in the middle . I find the wall color a little weak and a wallpaper would add some interest or a richer paint color . A fine linen or a grass cloth look with a bit of a sheen to it would add some richness . I think the grandfather clock is fine where it is . Putting the decanter set in front of a pattern will help show it off .
    Diane thanked lefty47
  • PRO
    12 years ago
    Hi! I think you need a taller red vase on the chest. Here are a few ideas:

    http://deciture.com/large-bellarmino-glass-vase/

    http://deciture.com/large-red-lidded-urn/
    Diane thanked Warner Decor
  • 12 years ago
    Have you considered a different paint color? Paint can always add more wow factor! I also think the traditional grandfather clock is fighting the more contemporary style of the chest and mirror. Also, less is more -- I would consider removing the objects off the top of the console and the red vase below -- instead put an oblong box (for mail and keys) or an oblong bowl with orchids.
    Diane thanked soto01
  • 12 years ago
    JMO....I'm not feeling any love with that chest. Too bulky.
  • 12 years ago
    Bungalowmo, did you ever hear the saying if you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all. I wasn't asking who liked the chest, I was asking opinions on what to put on top of it, some people like vanilla ice cream others like chocolate...
  • 12 years ago
    last modified: 12 years ago
    I think a nice bold paint color would look great throughout your whole entryway...a beautiful deep grey would look nice with the wooden chest, and make the silver of the mirror pop! Leave your trim white. As for the top I would put your decanter set to the left, on top of about 3 large coffee table books, ..the covers could have some red in them, something tall to the right, possibly an orchid as someone else suggested, maybe in a deep red colored bowl. I probably wouldn't use the small vase of red flowers or the lg vase on the floor......although you could find some grey/brown tall willow or something, leaving it where it is! Hmmm! Send me a pic of what you decide on! Lovely!
    Diane thanked ssmeland
  • 12 years ago
    I think the chest is beautiful and unique shape. I do, however, think the grandfather clock takes away from the chest bring the center of attention so if possible move it to living room? The red vase is a bit too vibrant for the location,so I'd change that. Mirror is lovely ...maybe a crystal lamp on chest to reflect from mirror?
    Diane thanked beachlily
  • 12 years ago
    I would remove the grandfather clock , the red ( floor)and white vase on the console and add a family photo. Find a new paint color too to pop
    Diane thanked mossergirl
  • 12 years ago
    I don't know how big your foyer is, but I would put your grandfather clock in another room. Lower the mirror or buy a simpler style. A tall candlestick lamp, a tray, or books would look good, and I would remove the red vase on the floor and add something with more of a statement for a wow factor. I can't see the rug but is it a wow factor?
    Diane thanked kranno
  • 12 years ago
    Oh, and a different wall color like maybe painted stripes... Horizontally or vertically.....hard to say which color since I can't see the rug.....Blues, greens, yellows?
    Diane thanked kranno
  • 12 years ago
    Thanks everyone for your help, i removed the whie lamp and the red flowers and I am definitley going to remove the red vase. I really don't have another spot for the grandfather clock, I have a straight through townhouse with not a lot of wall space, I am going to eventually paint but for now I still want to find something unique to put on the chest and on the floor next to the chest, I go to home goods on a regular basis so I am sure that something will catch my eye, again thank you.
  • 12 years ago
    Lose the vase ,lose that grandfather clock lower the mirror.that chest has to go too,,too much clutter
  • 12 years ago
    last modified: 12 years ago
    HI -- I don't understand why some have focused on the grandfather clock . I know they are hard to move and it wasn't part of the question . I like the red accents and the rug . For an item on the floor beside the chest ... how about one of those white porcelain whippet dog (small gray hound ) statues . Or a big floor vase for canes and umbrellas . Or one of those ceramic / porcelain garden stools .
    Diane thanked lefty47
  • 12 years ago
    Thank you lefty47, I agree with you about the grandfather clock and like your ideas.
  • 12 years ago
    I love love love the chest and clock! If it was mine i would take everything off and just have one low nice shaped bowl
    Diane thanked heather_11
  • 12 years ago
    It is human nature to comment on what is presented, even if you wanted comments only on the chest and mirror.
    When you post here, or on any list serve, that is what you get.
  • 12 years ago
    Thank you heather11, I think your right, I was trying to display the ships decanter, but it's just not working, I will look for a unique piece.
  • 12 years ago
    last modified: 12 years ago
    Funny....someone else mentioned getting rid of 3 things in your foyer, and you "liked" their comment. Apples & apples.

    Actually....two other people mentioned it.
  • 12 years ago
    Lower the mirror and put a cute bench or small chain where the red vase is. Keep the red flowers to match the rug. Don't add green with the red unless it's Christmas!
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