Decorating the Console Table

I'm slowly working away at decorating the console table that lives behind our sofa in the living room. I knew I wanted something basket-like for the lower shelf (like this overpriced version at Pottery Barn) but didn't want to spend an arm and a leg for it.

Well, while cruising down Route 59 recently, I wanted to stop at Garden Ridge because I was on the hunt for some garden decorations. Well, as it turns out, it's essentially a Home Goods on steroids. Seriously. The place was HUGE and a mecca for reasonably-priced indoor and outdoor home decor.

I found a couple of baskets that were pretty much what I was looking for. The price per basket? A cool $14.99. Yessssssssssssss.

I'm not quite sure about the burlap inside the baskets - I'm thinking I'll probably switch them out for something prettier. We shall see.

I also found a nifty globe that Owen seemed to enjoy spinning 'round and 'round. Only $29.99. What what?!

It's still not quite done yet, but it's a start. Let me tell ya, it's a challenge to find attractive, relatively unbreakable decor that will withstand little hands for the next few years...but I'm determined not to give up!

Anyone else ever check out Garden Ridge? Find any child-friendly decor lately? Share with the class!

We have a winner!

Before we get into the nitty gritty of today's post, let me just say one thing:

TEETHING SUCKS!!!

Seriously, what do we need teeth for anyhow? Can't we just have dentures and avoid the unnecessary pain of incoming teeth?! Is it really worth putting a child through that agony?! I say NAY!

Poor Owen has two(!) of his molars coming in, and holy moly are they causing him pain. My normally easy-going guy has turned into a hot mess of red cheeks and tears. I hate seeing him in so much pain and wish I can make it all better. For the time being teething rings, children's Advil and cuddles have been helping, but we just have to continue weathering the storm until those suckers finally break through his gums.

Anyway....

Remember awhile back when Owen wasn't teething and was able to use his sweet temperament to help us get a discount on a sweet piece of furniture? After moving the console table around and debating where it should ultimately end up, we have decided that its permanent home will be directly behind the couch.

So here she is, ladies and gents! Ta-Daaaaaa!

Ain't she purdy? It's a little tall for the couch, so we may remove the wheels, but for the meantime it works. As for what's going to go on it (other than the puny flower pot currently gracing it) I'm not quite sure yet. I want to make it pretty and stylish, yet toddler-friendly.

Here's a taste of what I have in mind, and will (hopefully!) serve as inspiration for what to put there:

Driftwood Lantern, Pottery Barn, $55 - $119 

Chalkboard Globe, Pottery Barn, $91.99 

Palmetto Painted Lanterns, Pottery Barn, $79 - 95 

 Wood Star, Restoration Hardware, $109 - $295

Vintage Soda Crates, Pottery Barn, $99 each

Wire Mesh Storage Bin, West Elm, $39

Vintage Fan, SundayTown (via Etsy), $45 

Vintage Scale, DustyJubilee (via Etsy), $45

Do you have any other ideas for kid-friendly - yet chic - decor? Any tips for weathering MolarGate with the little guy? 

That random huge freaking blank spot on the wall.

So there's this wall between the living room and the dining room that I'm struggling with. It's a large space, but it straddles two "areas" (we have an open-concept house so there are no natural boundaries between the rooms except flooring and lighting) so I want to make sure that whatever gets placed there can conceivably work in both spaces.

Plus it has to be pretty. Duh.

Source: https://www.etsy.com/listing/91978665/i-like-making-pretty-things-typography

Originally I was going to hang a photo frame there with a picture of our adorable little family but it wasn't big enough - it would have looked awfully lonesome and awkward all by itself.

So I started brainstorming. And here's what I came up with:

Option A: 
Buy/make three large framed posters that represent the three states/cities we've lived in so far and space them evenly apart. 

After trolling around Etsy for a few hours one Saturday, I found some possibilities that could work.

I like the idea of this one, but I'm not sure about the colors. I feel like they clash - big time. That would make my eyes hurt, and we don't want to injure my pretty little retinas.

Source: https://www.etsy.com/shop/PineShore?ref=l2-shopheader-name

So I really, really like the design of these two (and the colors don't make me want to stab my eyeballs!!), but I couldn't find a matching one for Cincinnati and/or Ohio. However, the Etsy shop owner mentioned that they're willing to do custom jobs, so perhaps I could coerce him/her into making a special one just for me. :)

Source: https://www.etsy.com/people/VassiSlavova?ref=pr_profile

These are kind of cool (although upon further reflection the two intersecting lines make it look like they're bombing targets) but again I could only find two locations out of the three!! What is with these shops and not representing all of my 'hoods?! Blah. At the very least I could request a custom one from the shop owner...

Source: https://www.etsy.com/shop/MrCityPrinting?ga_search_query=milwaukee

Option B:

Make/buy one humungous statement piece and/or painting.

This one would likely be the pricier of the two options. Big paintings cost lots of $$$$$$$ and ones that I like are super-duper hard to come by.

Although this one is kind of cool (love the textures!):

Source: https://www.etsy.com/shop/MurrayDesignShop?ref=l2-shopheader-name

Even if I make something myself, it will require a significant sacrifice of time. Like any true arteest, I need to be inspired to create something magnificent and will settle for nothing less. I actually did end up buying a large canvas, but inspiration just hasn't struck me yet. Until it does, it will continue collecting dust in our office.

Or maybe I could get one of my many photographs super-sized and put on canvas. Wouldn't that be something?

What do you guys think? Option A or Option B? Or is there a whole 'nother option I haven't even thought of yet?