Decorating with Console Tables and Ideas from an Upcoming Auction

Another great piece of furniture can be a console, side board, or sofa table. They are usually a narrow table set in the entrance foyer, placed behind the sofa, or sitting along a wall in a hall or dining room. They generally serve as a place to put decorative objects on top and underneath. In the hall, it's a place to throw your keys as well! When you're having a party, it can be moved around to serve as the bar.

This rustic version serves as a display area for candles, books, flowers, and a small screen used as wall decoration.

Renovation Style

This console table is placed on a wall behind the sofa, and serves as a back drop for display. When you have a party, it can be cleared for hors d'oeuvres and drinks. You will want some sort of display surface in a living area if nothing else to place a few family photos. 

Here is a wonderful rustic version that would look great in a traditional or modern home. 

Art et Decoration, France

You might well find something like this at a country auction or a flea market for that matter. It just take a little courage to get past the distressed look and think of it as modern design. 

House Beautiful

This painted console table is quite traditional and works anywhere. Here in a foyer it serves as display both on top and underneath with the ceramic Chinese style garden seat.

New Orleans Auction has an auction coming up March 27 and 28th. I've mentioned them in a couple of previous blogs, and we've bought from them several times. We were introduced by a decorator I was working with, Elaine Griffin. She picked a wonderful desk for me to bid on (which I won), and it looks great in our media room, which Elaine decorated. Here is a link to the auction catalogue.

They have some very interesting examples of console tables. Their auctions are generally full of traditional antiques, and they will provide condition reports.

New Orleans Auction Lot 36 - 19th C. polychrome demilune table with marble top

Est. $1,800 - $2,500

This demi-lune shape fits in well almost anywhere, and the polychrome makes in suitable for even more informal rooms or decors.

New Orleans Auction Lot 45 - 19th C. Chinese Painters Table
Est. $1,200 - $1,800

I love Chinese style with any decor from traditional to spare modern. This table has a lot of interest with the carved design and is an art work in itself. 

 New Orleans Auction Lot 178 - Louis XVI style giltwood table with mirrored top

Est, $1,800 - $2,500

This is the most glamorous version of all. I think it belongs either in a very traditional home, or a very open modern home as a decorative object to draw the eye to a part of a room. 

All of these are a bit of an investment piece, but each is something you would live with forever. It could have spots in your home over the years, from the foyer to the dining room to the living room. And they serve as a display area for your collections and photographs!