The console returns. Yes, the console is like Rocky and Batman movies. The sequels keep coming. Maybe instead of The Console Returns we should say “Console: The Final Chapter” or “The Console Strikes Again” or “I Still Know What You Did Last Console.” No? Fine. We’ll stick with The Console Returns.
Yes, after many (many) posts about our big console build, this is the official finale. And this one is the most exciting for me because it’s all about the fun stuff I put on it. Haha. I’m deep, what can I say? I’m sure it’ll constantly change, but here’s what it looks like today:
The lamps were more than we’ve ever spent on lamps (I have some sort of imaginary $50-a-pop maximum and these were $59 each) but from the moment I saw them at Marshall’s I couldn’t. walk. away. I even texted a picture of them to my friend Cat and she said “You’re a magpie, gotta have ’em if they’re shiny.” So I said to myself: “Self, what’s $18 extra bucks when it’s true lamp love?” It did help that they were marked down from $125 each.
We also picked up that big capiz-topped black lacquered box from HomeGoods (on clearance for $15, down from $36) because I knew it would be awesome for stashing nearly all of the clutter that seems to collect on the sofa (a few magazines, books, notebooks, pens, remotes, and even my brush and lotion). And the sleek glammy vibe worked with the blingy lamps to bring some modern chicness to our rustic ol’ console beast.
Other than that I just brought in some stuff that we already owned, from a few stacks of pretty hardcover books that I love to flip through (which are also functional thanks to a handy coaster that I stacked on top for my nightly cup of tea and the smaller white capiz box that’s secretly full of my smaller sofa essentials (lip gloss, vitamins, nail clippers, etc).
And this cute $3 thrifted quatrefoil tray is perfect for all of the jewelry that I like to remove as soon as I sink into my special spot on the sectional (the chaise in case you’re wondering).
And here’s what we have going on in those hidden baskets in the middle compartment. The left side is full of board games since this the room where we usually get our game on. And the basket on the right has a lesser used remote (for the DVD player) as well as some books that we got for Clara from the library (we try to keep them all together so we’re not looking everywhere for one last book on the day that they’re due).
And of course we have a little ceramic animal action going on thanks to my old ZGallerie rhino friend. Probably just for a bit until Clara gets bigger and he becomes endangered. Then he’ll go live on the built-ins in the dining room again:
For some reason this shot kills me. The little ceramic rhino butt in the background gets me every time.
As for the bookshelf sides of the console, we found three of these $5 baskets at HomeGoods, so the one on the close side of the console on the bottom shelf is full of a bunch of Clara’s board books while the top shelf has some of our books and a fun little Cardboard Safari rhino going on.
… and two more baskets on the far side of the console have blocks and other small toys stashed inside.
We’re sure everything that we have on/in the console table will be constantly changing. For example, once Clara’s a bit more mobile I don’t think my beloved ceramic rhino will get to live up there anymore. Unless I want him to meet an untimely end like my ceramic pooch.
Heck, she might even try to murder the cardboard rhino on that side shelf (so far, so good though) so we’re just going to play it by ear. We might decide that we’d like more empty space for putting stuff down on the top of the console (we have that big expanse in the center for a large bowl of chips or something, along with plenty of room for more coasters for drinks, but you never know if we’ll want even more). So it’ll be fun to tweak it and watch it evolve as the rest of the room comes together over the next year or two (still on the list: breezy curtains to add softness, a larger and more balanced looking media cabinet, etc).
And now for the weirdest video we’ve ever made. We were in sort of a quirky mood so we thought it would be hilarious to make a sexy stroking-the-console-video of the whole thing in action (we even throw open that middle compartment for ya to see how it opens and closes in “real time”). The music kills me. And the slow motion. Yup, we’re still laughing about it:
Strangest video you’ve ever seen. Am I right? Oh and we have one more pic for ya. At night it’s all sorts of magical in the living room now that we removed all the weird ceiling fans and that off-center corner pendant light and use the console table lamps along with the desk lamp to illuminate the room.
This photo doesn’t even do it justice, but in person it’s so cozy and glowey and charming. And we can only imagine how the right curtains and a bigger and more proportionate media cabinet will take this work-in-progress room a whole lot further. Someday…
Psst- Wanna flip back through the whole console building journey? Here’s the first post, the second post, the third post, the fourth post, and the fifth post.
katie o. says
Looks fantastic! Like it’s belonged there forever. And the tray and lamps work perfectly together. Well done.
karen @ our slo house says
How much do I love those lamps?!! They’re fantastic and perfect for that space!
Game recommendation: “Bop it.” It’s addictive (and competitive) and even Clara can “play” with the noisese…
Jessica G in NN says
good morning! :) just fyi: it says the video is private so when i clicked “play” it wouldn’t open. just figured you’d want to know!
and the lamps are amazing. totally worth the extra $18.
YoungHouseLove says
Sorry- updating that now!
xo,
s
Jessica G in NN says
fabulous! excited to watch it! :) thanks!
Kristen @ Popcorn on the Stove says
1) I have lamp envy!
2) The room looks amazing! It’s really starting to come together in there. I love the pops of color.
PS – Did you officially turn Sue the Napkin into Sue the Pillow Cover? It looks like it in the photos.
YoungHouseLove says
Yes! Details soon (I took all the pics, just have to write the post)!
xo,
s
Maya says
Looks great! Love the evening shot!
cafenoHut says
This is unbelievable . You are so talented. Love Love Love it.
It looks very usefull and decorative. Good JOB!!
Congratulations…
Angela says
Looks amazing, of course!!! :)
Sarah says
it says that the video is private!
YoungHouseLove says
So sorry, we fixed that so if you refresh it should work for ya.
xo,
s
Kana says
I was totally waiting for this post! I was so excited to see what you put on the console. by the way, I can’t view the video since it’s set to private!!!
Kana says
ah! saw that you had already updated the video -which by the way, I love. It makes me feel like I’m watching a naughty video.. at 10 in the morning. ha!
YoungHouseLove says
So sorry, we fixed that so if you refresh it should work for ya!
xo,
s
Kathleen says
LOVE the finished product! nice work guys :)
Erica says
Those lamps and that tray are to.die.for!
Erin says
love the lamps! i have a large bowl with that pitted silver from West Elm and it makes a rotating appearance in my rooms in our house.
When you get to hanging your curtains, will you just curtain the window near the small white table or will you do the sliders too?
YoungHouseLove says
We’re going sliders and window- along with the slider in the adjoined hallway that leads out to that balcony to nowhere. We figure since all of that glass reads like it’s in the same room it’ll be nice to treat it all with high and wide curtains for softness and balance.
xo,
s
blog is the new black says
I love it!
Kavita says
Wow. I love all the textures you’ve got going in the living room…the sheepskin, the shag rug, the metallic shiny-ness of the lamps. I’m looking forward to when you’ll add curtains for even more softness to the look! I also love all the color in this room.
Britny West says
First time I have ever commented, but I really love how the console turned out! I especially love the lamps. I first I wasn’t sure how I felt about it, but now that Sherry has styled it I love it!
Christina Peterson says
I think this room, particularly the couch and console table, is some of the best work you all have done. It’s really amazing.
Martha says
Oooooh – shiny happy lamps! I love it. I also appreciate the night shot. It’s amazing how different a room can look as the lighting situation changes.
Emily says
Love the lamps! I’ve got a blog post suggestion: can you tell us your secrets for shopping for the house? We just bought a new house ourselves and there is just so much to buy it is overwhelming! Do you shop for one space at a time? Or keep a running list of things you need for various rooms so you can keep track when you’re out and about? I’d love to hear your strategies!
YoungHouseLove says
I wish we had a process but we don’t. We just have a running list of big items we need (ex: dining room table, guest room bed, etc) and we save up for and purchase those in the order of priority (exL if overnight guests are coming next weekend we get the bed before the dining room table). As for smaller things, we also prioritize those in our minds and just keep an eye out for things we need. We would have waited months for “the right” console lamps if we couldn’t find them right away. We would much rather wait for the perfect thing than buy some interim item that we’re only feeling “meh” about. Hope it helps!
xo,
s
Amy @ larryspearslive.com says
I LOVE LOVE LOVE those lamps! The entire ensemble looks great. It’s coming together very nicely! :)
JennyB says
oh man..that video made me laugh out loud. Thanks for a great start to the day. The console is terrific! The whole room is just beautiful. And I love that you put the library books together so that you can find them on the due date. It makes my little librarian’s heart proud!
DebInNYC says
I have lamp envy too!! Things are really coming together. Looks greast guys!
Angela says
So cozy. Love it. Hey, bte, the toy basket 9the big one) you have for Clara? Do you have a link for it? Couldn’t find one at my Tar-jay.
YoungHouseLove says
I don’t think it’s online but it’s in stores in the basket and ottoman aisle at ours. Hope it helps!
xo,
s
karen says
LOVE the lamps. The colour of the base looks so good with the wood!!
I would like to see more of that gorgeous distressed wood though. It’s too awesome to cover.
Rebecca @ the lil house that could says
Ooh the neat little basket shot had me! I’m a huge fan of lamp lighting for that nice little night time vibe (and not having to get up to flip a switch…) The room definitely looks nice and cozy now!
Alycia says
Your room is coming around just swimmingly. Now, I have an idea, and maybe you have thought about it or maybe you may nix it as bunk… Maybe in the future would you consider getting taller lamps shades for your fabulous lamps? I think a taller shade might bring a bit more height to that wall. Just a thought! Keep up the fab work!
YoungHouseLove says
I think for right now we’re in love with the lamps just as they are (with those chunky drum shades) but who knows where we’ll end up down the line!
xo,
s
Mel says
Sherry, your lamps look like the big Disney Epcot ball! How magical. <3 I love reading about your life, it really gives me hope that some day I'll have my own house and family to come home to.
Mara says
Ohmygod, that video is hilarious! You guys are awesome!
David F. says
Might need to mark the movie NSFW just based on the music ;)
Very nice work… we are tempted to try our hands making night stands based on this very soon.
BTW- we made the trek from Williamsburg to Maymont on Saturday based on your “top things to do in Richmond”… that place is fantastic! Our toddler loved all the animals!
YoungHouseLove says
SO glad! We love Maymont and we hope you had awesome weather and got to see all the animals!
xo,
s
Hilary @ My So-Called Home says
The devil really is in the details and all the little accessories have really pulled the room together! My favorites are the lamps (gorgeous) and the side baskets. The room was feeling a little straight-lined but the round lamps were the perfect choice. Love seeing the transformations.
Heiðdís Björk says
Just wanted to say that the console is awesome. I´ve been reading your page for almost a year now, great stuff and lots of ideas. Thank you and keep up the good work:)
Greatings from Iceland:)
Amanda @ Our Humble A{Bowe}d says
Oooh, I love the decorated console. And, I’d be totally fine with a title of “I Still Know What You Did Last Console” or, if you want to keep it simple, Console 4 a la Scream. Anyway, love the lamps and the functional storage!
Kristina says
Ooh, I love your lamps! And your video made me blush. I never thought I’d get so excited about wood. (That’s what she said)
kalibrooke says
fabulous!! love the lamps–they’re so perfect for the space and give off a much warmer vibe than i would have thought. great job!
Kristin says
You guys, I so love the console and I love, love, love the lamps. But as much as I’m trying, I can’t love the green rug. Is it there to stay? Also, are you still planning on changing out the “Art” in the frames above Karl?
Love the blog, it’s definitely something I look forward to in my day!
YoungHouseLove says
Yes! We love the rug so it’s definitely here to stay. But we know not every item in our house will be everyone on the interweb’s cup o’ tea. No worries. As for the art, we go back and forth. Sometimes we want to keep it for the long haul and other times it’s just a placeholder as we originally intended it to be. I think sometime down the line we might go for something a bit less basic (something with a small pattern or even black and white photos). Should be fun to see where we end up…
xo,
s
Abercrombie Wife says
That room has come a long way in a short amount of time (the whole house really). I am in LOVE with the evening shot! Makes me want to cozy up with a hot tea and watch Grey’s Anatomy. I have living room envy! I do have to say that I originally loved the wall art before, but now that it is all coming along I think I would prefer to see some type of photo or print in the frames. Are you still planning on doing something like that or are you planning on leaving them the way they are? Don’t get me wrong I still love them either way.
YoungHouseLove says
We go back and forth on the art too! I think sometime down the line we might go for something a bit less basic (something with a small pattern or even black and white photos). Should be fun to see where we end up…
xo,
s
Paige says
yeah, I thought the same thing about the art too! I was in love with the art before the console table, but now I can see those frames showcasing some bangin’ B&W photos…that would look sexy…the room still looks awesome though!
Abercrombie Wife says
I’m with Paige on the b&w photos. Can’t wait to see the rest of the room evolve. Are you planning on getting anything else done before the big B-day party? like curtains?
YoungHouseLove says
We’re shifting our focus outside to the patio we want to completely DIY (which we hope to eke out before Clara’s party so it can be part of the hanging out space). But you never know about things like curtains – if we find something perfect charging bulls can’t keep me from grabbing them and getting them up within a day or two!
xo,
s
KellyD says
Funny! I guess I’m on the “out with the art” train too! I used to love the art but with all the new touches coming together it’s starting to stick out like a sore thumb, maybe too modern for the cozy and charming vibe that the rest of the room has…. And I love the texture that the rug brings to the room!
lisa says
i think it looks great….one question…the whole room looks great, but i notice you still have a teeny tiny tv in that room. any plans to upgrade to a bigger one, and if yes, will you mount it on the wall, or put it on a tv stand?
YoungHouseLove says
Oh yes, we have plans for a new media cabinet that’s more in proportion with the giant sectional and console which probably means upgrading to a larger TV. John can’t wait for that. Haha.
xo,
s
Bia Silveira says
lmao! that video is like cheesy 1980s furniture lover soft porn!
great work guys! you make us furniture designers proud. you wouldn’t believe the stuff that happens when novices try their hand at furniture making, but you did it beautifully.
almk42 says
Boy, am I glad I’m not the only one who keeps nail clippers by the couch. We keep our cat claw clippers there, too, since my husband trims the kitty’s claws while he’s snuggling on the couch after we go to bed.
One question I’ve been wondering about your idea to keep drinks and things behind the couch. I love the idea of not having a coffee table for little hands to get into and little heads to bonk, but I would be concerned that I would constantly be spilling drinks all over the back of my sofa. Or that the cat would be trying to walk around back there and spill things. Are you guys just a little less crazy sitting on your couch than we are?
YoungHouseLove says
We thought Burger would be all about the console table (as in, using it as a runway for dog fashion shows) but he won’t go back there. Even if we have food up there he just whines at it but won’t go get it. Which comes in handy because we don’t worry about him spilling things or anything. And so far we haven’t had any spills or anything due to flailing (maybe I flail less when I know there’s hot tea on the table behind me?). So far, so good. Oh and the slipcovers are dark washable so I guess that helps.
xo,
s
Nicole W. says
Most awkward video ever!! I can’t help but wonder if this is a scene from your reality show… the one with john’s shirt off, saw dust flying, you handing him lemonade…???
For real though, the console looks amazing. Great work :)
Gavin S. says
Bahahahaha! Y’all are such goobers…I love it! The video is hilarious and the lamps are totally fab. Absolutely worth the extra $18!
I was at the thrift store this weekend and thought of you. I was wondering…do you buy something every time you go to the thrift store? There were lots of things I could have worked with there, but nothing I was desperately needing for my house at the moment. Would you have gotten something just to have a project and worked it in somewhere later or just left empty-handed like I did?
YoungHouseLove says
I’d say we walk out empty handed about 70% of the time and leave with something around 30% of the time. We’re no strangers to holding out if we don’t have a big need for something (or a place for it) even if it’s cute.
xo,
s
Karen says
Looks Gorgeous! I love those lamps. A little bling never hurts. LOL
I really like the nighttime pic with the lamps on. It looks so cozy. Can’t wait to see what you do for curtains.
Vonda says
The console and the room look so great! It sounds like you’re really loving your sectional still. Has it held up as well as you thought and is it totally comfy? We’ll be in the sectional market very, very soon and your guy always comes to mind when I think about starting the search!!
YoungHouseLove says
Yup, still have nothing but good things to say about Karl! So comfy and durable and the slipcovers are great for a quick wash.
xo,
s
Lauren says
Looks great!
Krysta @ Domestic for Dummies says
It looks so comfy! Love love love the lamps and the rhino!
jodi says
it looks SO great! well done, you two.
Clare says
The best part of watching that video for me was that my dog (who is sitting next to me) started howling to the music! So I was laughing hysterically. Everything looks great. The last picture at night is my favorite!
Liz says
Love the lamps. The lighting is so romantic!
Jessica says
“Was it good for you”, LOL, I love the video, it cracked me up. And the lamps/table/room looks amazing, I love watching your new home come together!
Jessie says
OMG that video was too much. You guys have such a great sense of humor. The console looks awesome. I’m super jealous of your DIY skills. And can I come over to your house sometime, just to run my toes through your rug? It looks so comfy! Please? I’ve got clean feet!
YoungHouseLove says
Yes! Everyone who comes over for the first time is forced to remove their footwear and rub their toes through it. Everyone acts weird and awkward at first, but give them a minute or two and they’re in heaven. At least five family members have ordered it since coming over and getting cozy with ours! Haha.
xo,
s
Allison says
Wow, the fact that at least 5 family members have ordered it after “test driving” yours is powerful! I wish I needed a rug b/c I agree this one looks so cozy!
tammy says
You guys did a GREAT job on the console! I’m feeling inspired. :)