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1 or 2 or 3?

When we painted our entry wall and installed the chalk ledge, we did so knowing that we might want to keep our console table, too. At first, we were so smitten with the black and white results, that we stashed our former table away, thinking it might go towards our annual yard sale. We moved our catch-all tray for wallets and keys to the kitchen counter (not even one foot from it’s has-been location), and most recently, we even upgraded said tray with my thrifty weekend find. For the first week of chalkboard-dom, our foyer looked like this:

But after living with the change for a few days, we started discussing whether or not we missed the table. As our friend Patti mentioned in the new-wall comments, that table is valuable real estate you may need. We knew we might eventually come to that conclusion – even before the chalkboard was in place – so we made sure to install the ledge with enough room to put the table back; just in case. Now, we have this:

While that red-toned wood looks awfully sexy in the photos (ha!), we assure you, it is not. And to be honest, we’ve never loved the finish of that table. We know that this is simply a matter of taste – perhaps you like it? – but it doesn’t mesh with us and our style. The gold paint was added in the wood detail when we first bought it almost 5 years ago (during a going out of business sale for Bombay Co.), but it was a quick fix that we never revisited. Over time, we’ve added signs of wear, chips and scratches.

Even still, our entry wall is an odd 42″ wide, and with most consoles starting at a width of 48″ w, this table has been a great placeholder. It’s made of solid wood, it’s sturdy, and as I’ve just mentioned, it’s appropriately small (and pretty cute – wood tone aside). And, where else are we to put fresh flowers? With Maddie having free reign of our countertop (we know, ew, sorry), we’d lost our only sacred spot for ranunculus and the like – our girl gets down on leafy lunches (a habit we can’t break, but can only prevent).

So, we’re keeping it. But it’s time for a paint job.

This is where we’re stuck. We’ve talked about stark white or pure black; we even mentioned a nod to the old wall with a coat of kelly green. With the entry and hall now forming a cohesive, monotone look, our color-loving hearts wonder: should we go bold? Or, maybe, should the color be reserved for the opposing small art wall and gaudy gold Piglet? We played (and played) with options in Photoshop, and we’ve pulled together these three mock ups:

After going through our original ideas (plus mints, butter yellows and icy blues), we were pulled towards these saturated hues to balance the chalky black wall above: 1) slate grey, 2) steel blue or 3) golden yellow.

The longer we stare at the red-on-black-on-white, the more eager we are to get started. Not ones to be so indecisive, we couldn’t be more stumped! There are a few things we do know, however. We plan on filling in a few of the decorative grooves on the table top (not the greek key on the sides, nosiree), and we may even add brassy hardware, á la this #2-blue-bureau (snapped on the sly, hence the awkward angle, from White Attic on Clark):

Only 3 of the sides have the pattern, so any knob or pull would potentially go on the smooth side, mimicking the look of drawer pulls, only – ha ha! – joke’s on you. Oh, tricksters, we are.

But back to that color quandary. Which would you choose? 1, 2, or 3?

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  • Clare4.12.12 - 8:07 AM

    #2 hands down! I love how the blue pops against the chalkboard wall as well as the lower half of the wall as well. The yellow just seems to blend in the background to me and the slate is too close to the chalkboard wall. Good luck with your decision!ReplyCancel

  • Annie4.12.12 - 8:07 AM

    I like the blue!ReplyCancel

  • While I live slate and yellow, I’d go for the deep blue. I think you need a little color against the black and white wall. And I just live deep blues. I think it is the most versatile and hardware would really pop against the color…ReplyCancel

  • annabelvita4.12.12 - 8:10 AM

    I’d pick the yellow out of the print above to tie the whole wall together (but I’d also make sure I liked that colour with all my favourite flowers, if that’s what you use this space for).ReplyCancel

  • annabelvita4.12.12 - 8:13 AM

    PS. What about actually making a teeny drawer in the table?ReplyCancel

  • Carrie @DreamGreenDIY4.12.12 - 8:16 AM

    My immediate reaction to the options was #2 – After giving it a good hard look, I stand by my choice. I’m on team-blue =)ReplyCancel

  • While I’m a huge fan of blue the yellow looks great to me in this space. I think because it ties in with the print above it.ReplyCancel

  • Amanda4.12.12 - 8:36 AM

    my first thought when you said you were keeping the table was ‘paint it the kelly green!’ but out of your top three my vote is for the blue, but the yellow is a close second.ReplyCancel

  • Amanda4.12.12 - 8:40 AM

    I love 2 and 3. I think 2 goes well with the other colors around it but who can resist yellow? It’s a nice pop of color.ReplyCancel

  • Laura4.12.12 - 8:43 AM

    BLUE. I like the slate, but it doesn’t pop. The yellow is too matchy-matchy with the Just Keep Going (which, sure you could change, but it looks good there). Blue blue blue.ReplyCancel

  • Jimmy4.12.12 - 8:44 AM

    Number 2! I think the pop of color would do well there. It looks like you’ve got a fair amount of yellow on those two walls right there, so adding the yellow table might get too “matchy-matchy.”

    I think you’re right to paint it though, whichever way you go. And I also think you’re right to return the table to the entryway. There is something about being able to walk in the door and drop your keys, etc right away. It just feels right.ReplyCancel

    • Kim4.12.12 - 9:05 AM

      Wow, a surprising lean towards the blue! This will make Scott happy (that was his first choice, although we liked them all). I’m still on the fence between the blue and yellow now, but everyone who said the yellow would be too matchy-matchy scared me! Not a fan of matchy-matchy, no, no.

      Any takers on the slate?ReplyCancel

  • Cait @ Hernando House4.12.12 - 9:05 AM

    I’m wavering between blue and yellow, but I’m leaning a bit more towards “yellow”.ReplyCancel

  • Loren4.12.12 - 9:05 AM

    I’m on ‘team blue’ as well. It really pops against the lighter blue wall. The gray is my second choice though.ReplyCancel

  • emily @ go haus go4.12.12 - 9:09 AM

    #2!!!! Blue looks so great with the black and gold accents in that space.

    Also, I saw your home on the AT Small Cool 2012 contest. I’ve entered as well (in the “Small” category) but my entry hasn’t been picked yet, but fingers crossed it will. I’m voting for you of course!!!ReplyCancel

  • Ainhoa@ALittleBite4.12.12 - 9:11 AM

    I vote for yellow! Or blue. They all look nice. This is hard, haha.ReplyCancel

  • Laura @ DMHB4.12.12 - 9:12 AM

    I agree with the blue-sayers! I can’t even say why, it just LOOKS right. So nice in the space.ReplyCancel

  • Kim4.12.12 - 9:15 AM

    Thank you, Emily! Fingers crossed your entry gets accepted :)ReplyCancel

  • Julia @ Chris Loves Julia4.12.12 - 9:16 AM

    Another for team blue!ReplyCancel

  • Heather4.12.12 - 9:23 AM

    Blue…for sure.ReplyCancel

  • Miranda boucksy4.12.12 - 9:31 AM

    When you first mentioned painting I thought yellow would look best, but now that see the mockups, I’m torn between the gray and the blue. I keep going back to the punch of color of the blue though, and it’s only reaffirmed with your inspiration picture for the hardware. Subconscious sign? I think so! Blue!!!!!ReplyCancel

  • Jane @ The Borrowed Abode4.12.12 - 9:39 AM

    The gray is nice, but nice isn’t always a good design move. Too safe, right? :) The yellow could be fun, but to me it feels a little random and busy, because you have the chalk wall, the wallpaper in the background, the striped blue/cream rug, etc.

    I think the blue strikes a nice balance between colorful and fun, but not too busy or different.ReplyCancel

  • Claudie4.12.12 - 9:40 AM

    My first thought was that the blue really popped. I like the other two colors, but they just don’t look as “right” in the space as the blue does to me.ReplyCancel

  • kate4.12.12 - 9:44 AM

    Yep, gotta go with the blue!ReplyCancel

  • Jessica G.4.12.12 - 9:49 AM

    Blue! It looks so natural there against the lighter blue of the wall and rug.ReplyCancel

  • Kyley at Painting Pony4.12.12 - 9:50 AM

    Definitely gotta vote for the #2. That’s one of my favorite colors too :)ReplyCancel

  • meg4.12.12 - 10:08 AM

    i almost always vote yellow, for everything, but the blue definitely pops in this space, and you still get a bit of that yellow color in the print on the wall! blue all the way.ReplyCancel

  • nicole4.12.12 - 10:21 AM

    Blue! It’s a perfect pop of color. The yellow is a little too eye-catching for something you don’t absolutely love, and would detract from flowers on top.ReplyCancel

  • Kim4.12.12 - 10:25 AM

    Dang, you guys are full of great advice! You make lots of good points, and you’re making this easy on us!ReplyCancel

  • Sandy4.12.12 - 11:33 AM

    ooooh I really love the blue on that wall! my vote goes for #2.ReplyCancel

  • Laura4.12.12 - 11:57 AM

    When I was viewing your fab AT entry I was able to see the spot for the table in the context of the very wooden kitchen. The nice thing about the current wood tone is it makes sense with the kitchen. How about a color, like your former, wonderful green, that is not everywhere else?
    But, between the three choices I pick the black!ReplyCancel

  • kaylan4.12.12 - 12:00 PM

    team blue.

    the grey blends in to the chalk wall and the yellow blends into the floor. blue is a nice subtle pop that coordinates with the space without being matchy.ReplyCancel

  • Shanna4.12.12 - 12:27 PM

    I like the gray or the blue. The yellow is both matchy with the art, and also (at least in pictures) kind of mimics the floors. I think the gray is a more neutral choice if you want to have your pops of color on the tabletop, but the blue makes it pop all on it’s own.ReplyCancel

  • Alexis4.12.12 - 12:38 PM

    I vote #1 or #2! But more for #1.ReplyCancel

  • Melissa @ A Place to Nest4.12.12 - 12:38 PM

    Totally number two- love that color!ReplyCancel

  • Amber4.12.12 - 1:15 PM

    Love the blue! It is the perfect bridge between the chalkboard wall and the lighter blue in the rug.ReplyCancel

  • Great color options but I vote yellow. It will bring the yellow in your “Just Keep Going” picture to another spot, and won’t compete with the dark chalkboard. That’s my thought :)ReplyCancel

  • Kim4.12.12 - 1:31 PM

    Amber, great point!ReplyCancel

  • Kelly (Kelly is Inspired)4.12.12 - 2:02 PM

    I vote #2…. although the comment above by Sam about the yellow is a pretty good point…. hmmm now I’m not sure, my vote is #2 or #3. :)ReplyCancel

  • katie4.12.12 - 2:47 PM

    #2 – I though for a bit about the yellow, but i think i like the blue the best – i like how it just slightly brings out the stripes in the rug.ReplyCancel

  • Rebelwerewolf4.12.12 - 3:00 PM

    After spending wayyy too long staring at those pictures, I think I’d go with #3. It somehow makes the entryway look wider.ReplyCancel

  • Anna4.12.12 - 4:23 PM

    i choose #2.. blue!!!ReplyCancel

  • Melissa Q4.12.12 - 6:03 PM

    From these, I’m definitely for blue. But I’d love to see that kelly green come back!!ReplyCancel

  • Amanda- Hip House Girl4.12.12 - 6:21 PM

    At first I was like “yellow!” and then I was like “kelly green!” but then, I decided I like the blue the best. It’s a nice contrast, but it still leaves you room to put really colorful accessories on the table that will POP.ReplyCancel

  • Two Pitties in the City4.12.12 - 7:26 PM

    I’m on team blue too!ReplyCancel

  • Sara Grace4.15.12 - 4:29 PM

    Obsessed with your rug!!ReplyCancel

  • Mim4.16.12 - 9:29 AM

    Sorry to go against all you team blues but I think the slate is the way forward…it just compliments the ledge :)ReplyCancel

  • Michael - Innkeeper4.24.12 - 10:27 AM

    I like the blue as well as many of the others, but with the artwork hung on the chalkboard wall I’d have to go with the yellow, which I also love.

    I just think the yellow rounds out the story. It seems to fit where the blue stands out.ReplyCancel

  • Angir4.30.12 - 10:09 AM

    #2 forsure!!!! It looks great with wall an the rug!!!ReplyCancel

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