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Decorating around wall sconces

5 years ago

I‘m looking for some advice on filling the space around these wall sconces in my dining room/den.

I’m in a rental, so I can’t put in built ins. I was thinking of some picture ledges, which would declutter the tops of the cabinets, but wasn’t sure if it would look ok to center the picture ledges between the sconces since that wouldn’t line up with the cabinets/bookcases below. Same with hanging pictures - would it look ok to hang them between the sconces if that doesn’t align with the cabinetry below?

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Comments (3)

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Beth H. :
5 years ago
put the family photos in a photo album and leave it on the shelf. frame one or two larger favorites. all those frames is just too much clutter. keep only a few knick-knacks on top.

If it was mine, I'd find a large canvas to go between the sconces. something more vertical obviously.
Jodi Cohen thanked Beth H. :
Jodi Cohen
Original Author
5 years ago
Thanks for your suggestions!
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Yes, it would totally make sense to remove the sconce but I’m not ready to give up on it just yet since we just bought it! I didn’t realize it would be problematic since there’s been a sconce there since we moved in, but this shape is not easy to work with. I agree a bell shape would definitely make it easier to put something underneath! I should have mentioned that we are in the process of painting the yellow interior to gray and white, and are going for a rustic-glam look. This wall will be dark gray. We will eventually change the bannister too.
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I wouldn't hesitate to hang something in front of it, as long as I took the lamp out first. The shade will protect the socket from contact. I'd use some kind of blocking (I'm thinking styrofoam cubes or something similar) so that the artwork sits proud of the wall, rather than resting directly on the sconce, which would be wobbly. It looks like maybe you have a picture rail molding and could hang artwork using a molding hook. If you need more light, use a table or floor lamp.
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I really like what AD did. Although I would not put a plant in the corner. Here are some other options. 1. Hang two sconces on either side of the drapes and extend the shelf to the left almost to the back of the sofa. The sconces will bring the eye up and coordinate with the chandelier (which I think could also be larger and hung a bit lower.) Remove the plant. 2. Sconces and put a floor lamp with a large shade between the two sofa ends. 3. Two tall plants on either side of the drapes and a tall table lamp with large shade on a square end table between the two sofa ends. Beautiful home!
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niccidhg, you've made my Monday!!! : ) As a designer, you gather all this knowledge over the decades and want to impart it to someone, so I do this on Houzz. I try to be realistic and to illustrate layouts for rooms. But I often wonder whether I am reaching anyone out there. So thanks for the compliment. Now if I could just figure out a way to spread this content on TikTok, I'd really be happy!!! Any clever person out there with knowledge of how I might do this, let me know. Here is a link to the botanicals. https://www.etsy.com/listing/276270382/botanical-print-set-collection-botanical?ref=landingpage_similar_listing_top-2
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ingrid_vc so. CA zone 9
5 years ago
Having everything lined up against the wall is not a good look. Can you put the other furniture somewhere else or do away with it altogether? As mentioned, that huge array of photographs is not a good look. Large canvas, or one large and smaller ones on each side, for the wall, and stacks of books on top of the cabinets, with one or two well-chosen more vertical accents will complete the looks. I would not do shelves or even think of putting all those family photos anywhere.
Jodi Cohen thanked ingrid_vc so. CA zone 9

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