Styling The Antique Commode

Do you remember the picture of the antique commode from our guest bedroom? After taking the picture, I started to wonder if I could make this small area look more decorated and less empty using the things I already have. 

I like to keep it simple when decorating a room, but I don't want the room to look empty either. I think there's a fine line between them, and I've been trying to figure out the ways to cozy up a room without making it look cluttered.   

When I purchase furniture, I choose them carefully and make sure I love them. I want each piece of furniture to have an art like quality, and display it in a way to showcase its beauty. I believe less is more. Designing a room with a few well-chosen pieces makes a bolder statement than filling every inch of the room with objects. Interior designer, Darryl Carter, is the master when it comes to designing a room with such a refined aesthetic. I respect his work very much. 

Darryl Carter

  
This is the "before" picture from the previous post. Two main pieces here are the antique commode and the Hollywood Regency gilt mirror. I want them to be the stars of this little corner, and I don't want anything else to detract attention from them. 

I think the rattan chair is providing the much needed texture in this picture. I actually moved the chair closer to the commode when I took the picture so it won't look empty. The chair usually sits further away from the commode.

My goal is to create a simple vignette like this. I think balance the key, and you also want to have different shapes and textures to create a good vignette.

Phoebe Howard

Do you see the three objects placed on the dresser making a slight V shape, framing the large mirror in the center - the lamp (left), wooden box (middle), and plant (right)? I think creating a V shape is a great way to dress up a table/dresser top without making it look cluttered. 

This vignette is also rich in textures and shapes. The lamp and the vase have shiny surfaces along with the gilded mirror and frames, while the wooden box in the middle has a rough texture. The lamp and plant also offer some curvy shapes and soft textures, while everything else has straight lines. 

With that in mind, I styled the antique commode in several different ways to see what works the best.

1) I added an alabaster lamp and stacked two books under the bowl. I might add a small vase of flowers on the right side to make a V shape and also to give different textures. The books offer straight lines, and the cloth book spine and lamp shade provide some soft textures. The gilt mirror, bowl, and alabaster lamp are shiny, while everything else is dull. 

Close up of the alabaster lamp.

This is a vintage lamp from Italy, and I purchased it from an Etsy shop a while back. I like its intricate carvings and the beautiful gray veining with all the white. 

I already had this lamp in the same room, and all I had to do was to update the lamp shade. This is an inexpensive lamp shade from Target that I paid less than $12 on sale. Its oval shape fits perfectly into this narrow space.

2) Two 9-inch plates (those are paper plates, by the way) flanking the mirror on each side.

3) Three plates on the each side of the mirror. 

4) Seven plates around the mirror.

5) Picture frames flanking the mirror (I borrowed the frames from our office/library space). I kind of like this one, even though this detracts attention from the mirror and the commode. I think the straight lines of the frames make this vignette work. Perhaps, I should try different frames in the same size?

I will eventually change the chair to something like this...
 

image via Trine Thorsen "Heidi's House"

A Louis ghost chair. I think a lucite chair looks great against antique furniture. I also like its classic line and the way it doesn't block the view of the antique furniture. This will also add a modern touch to the space.

So, what do you think? I am leaning towards either #1 or #5. 

Would you add anything else or subtract any of the items to make it better?