Using A Console Table as a Desk in Small Spaces + Recent Fashion Finds

March 18, 2016Anneke McConnell

Thanks for the love on my last Living Room Design Post! And be sure to check out the Spring Fashion picks which I'm continually updating! #SpringFashion

When it comes to decorating, a little trick of mine that I've used repeatedly is using console tables as a desk instead of an actual desk. Often times, I have a skinny little nook that a desk of standard width would look bulky and stick out. That's not the look I'm going for, but need some function in our little beach house life!

We are slowly but surely becoming accustomed to "thinking outside the box" when it comes to small house living and on how to marry our needs with reality, multipurpose EVERYTHING, and in a way that makes our home feel light and refreshing.

Now, this admittedly doesn't work with every console table, but with these few points to look out for, you can implement this trick as well.

source

Are those console tables above not the CUTEST ever?! I spotted those and thought right away how perfect they would be in a kid's room!

Glass Waterfall Console Table

White and Gold Console Table with Drawers

Ok, so some things to take note of when shopping around for consoles as desks:

1. Avoid lower shelves and bars.

Ok, so you need a place to push in your desk chair or stool, as well as put your feet. Choose a console table that is the style of a writing desk. Maybe it has an upper shelf, but even that can be cumbersome when you're sitting there.

2. Determine YOUR optimal depth range.

There is no standard depth for console tables and they vary widely. 14" may be too slim for some people's work space (like those cute colorful ones above), but 16"-18" may be just about right. You're calling the shots! Measure the space you want to use it for and look for options within that range.

3. Check the total height.

Many console tables range in height and are often HIGHER (and sometimes lower) than desks, so this will of course affect your seating options. Standard heights range from 28"-32" high. If you're looking for a child, a lower table may be PERFECT. Just be aware of how this will affect your seating. Standard seat height is 17" give or take.

When considering these points above, you can narrow down your options along with your preferences of style, color, etc. and find the perfect console table to use as a desk.

As a happy note, I've found they tend to stay clear of clutter because they are smaller! Go figure! ;-)

Below are some console tables I believe are beautiful options for using as a desk as well. Have you tried this before? I'd love to know in the comments!

LATEST SPRING FASHION FINDS

xo,

Anneke

P.S. "Generosity always wins."

Let's Connect!

NOW ON PERISCOPE! @ANNEKEMCCONNELL

Follow along on Facebook

Follow along on instagram at:

@a nnekemcconnell

@coastalcollectivestyle

@coastalinteriors

Coastal Interiors: Seating Area with Bright Art and Spring Fashion Picks

March 13, 2016Fashion, Living RoomAnneke McConnellComment

Using artwork can be an easy way to change the look of a room for the change of seasons and today's design featuring artwork by Kristy Gammill. I fell in love with this Springtime piece of hers INSTANTLY when I saw it on One Kings Lane. Not to mention those fun brass sconces by Jonathan Adler! Below are design detail and alternative options plus 5 fun fashion picks for Spring (shop all Spring items HERE).

Feel free to ask any questions in the comments below and thank you for sharing my designs!

xo,

Anneke

P.S. "Life is full of beautiful colors as we look up to notice."

Let's Connect!

NOW ON PERISCOPE! @ANNEKEMCCONNELL

Follow along on Facebook

Follow along on instagram at:

@a nnekemcconnell

@coastalcollectivestyle

@coastalinteriors

The Best Little White Dresses for Spring and Summer

March 11, 2016Spring, Fashion Blog PostsAnneke McConnellComment

As we begin to transition into Spring and wedding season is around the corner, white dresses are a staple for the coming months! I personally think they can look great on EVERYONE!

Lace is a good feature to look for when choosing a dress as it's all over the place right now and for good reason - it's gorgeous, classic, AND fashion forward in trending shapes and patterns.

Whether you are looking for something for a nicer occasion or a casual beach walk, I've rounded up some great options below.

I LOVE this pretty lace shift dress for nicer occasions and this cotton dress for a more casual vibe.

Little White Dresses for Spring and Summer

Some things to look for when shopping for white dresses are:

Consider what the use and occasion of your dress is. Look for dresses that are lined or a thicker material so you avoid any see through action.
Remember that texture like lacy, pleats, etc. can help to create a more seamless look.
Pick a dress that makes you feel comfortable, beautiful, and for more special occasions something that highlights your favorite features. Maybe a long strapless maxi dress to show off your shoulders or a skater dress to accentuate your waist.

COASTAL WHITE DRESSES

Many of these dresses come in a variety of colors which is always nice! I'd love to know which ones you love most!!

COMPLETE THE LOOK

xo,

Anneke

P.S. "People who like boxes usually want you to stay in yours. Be bold. Be you."

Let's Connect!

NOW ON PERISCOPE! @ANNEKEMCCONNELL

Follow along on Facebook

Follow along on instagram at:

@a nnekemcconnell

@coastalcollectivestyle

@coastalinteriors

Want to start a blog? Get me FREE Blogging Ebook to learn more: www.BloggingForBiz.com

How To Whitewash Stone: DIY Fireplace Makeover

February 26, 2016Home Blog Posts, Living Room, Our HomeAnneke McConnell

Want to learn how to paint furniture?

Grab my FREE Furniture Painting Guide below:

FREE FURNITURE PAINTING GUIDE

Hi friends! I'm can't WAIT to share today's before and after with you! It has actually been a few months since I finished this, but I'm finally able to share all of the details with you. And with Spring just around the corner, I think a lot of us have some house projects on the brain.

Thankfully this project was incredibly easy, not too messy, and took just a couple days to get done while the kids played and read books.

Ta-da! Haha! We're so happy with the results!

Ok so here's the before you guys. You ready for this???

And now to see them side by side!

Thank you in advance for pinning and sharing my little ol' blog ideas you guys! This is going to save people so much money and trouble!

Ok, so honestly over the years of sharing some home tours and whatnot, many people would say how much they LOVED our stone fireplace. Every time this would happen, I'd check my attitude at the door because I have wanted to rip that thing down and out for awhile now and add beautiful wide white horizontal planking and marble and ALL things white and bright and coastal. Did you know I love white? Lol

My husband and I go back in forth in our conversations about how much money we really want to invest in this home when we have different financial goals. The options have ranged from "just live with it as-is" to "tear the entire thing down and rebuild a new home" to less extreme tangible options in between. ;-)

So here are some further details.

The fireplace has a funky hearth that is raised and sticks out that we still have yet to deal with. This 18 inches or so will make a huge impact in our ability to place furniture in a more user friendly way in the long narrow space.

I've also personally never cared for the way the stone is recessed with sheetrock surrounding it, BUT without cutting into the sheetrock (which is an EXTREMELY messy endeavor) and giving the fireplace a more welcoming look that goes with the vibe of our style, whitewashing the stone was the perfect option.

DIY Fireplace Makeover - How To Whitewash Stone

Now our kitchen is open to the living and dining rooms, to to tie the spaces together I decided to paint the mantle the same color as the cabinets, Simply White by Benjamin Moore (we used Advance semi-gloss). You can see our Kitchen Makeover series we did last fall here >>>>> kitchen makeover.

How to whitewash stone - DIY fireplace makeover

Ok so the process of whitewashing the stone is SO easy you guys.

*some of the following are affilaite links.

Here's a breakdown of supplies and the steps:

SUPPLIES:

Staining Pads >>> (this is THE SECRET to epic results. They are super absorbent, little to no drips, but great transfer of whitewash mixture)

Paint Brush >>> I use my trusted Purdy brushes. ;-) You want to make sure it is angle and medium to stiff bristles.

Plastice tupperware container

Chalk style Paint you can choose whatever color you'd like for your project (I used Annie Sloan Chalk Paint in French Linen for the first layer, and then Vintage Market and Design Chalk Paint in Dove for the final layer)

***Two alternative white colors I recommend are Rustoleum's Chalked Paint in Linen White OR Annie Sloan Chalk Paint in Pure White.

Water: to mix with the chalk paint

Work Towels >>> to clean any drips that may happen

Work Glasses and Rubber Gloves >>> YES, you should wear these!

DIRECTIONS:

1. Clean your stone with warm soapy water.

If your stone or brick is super glossy and slick or pretty dirty (unlike ours which was very porous and relatively dirt/soot free), you may need to use a product like TSP to get the job done.

2. Take your paint, water and tupperware and create your whitewash mixture.

It doesn't matter what your ratio is, but you DO need to mix the same ration every time you make more mixture. I personally created a ratio of about 1:1 Too much water with create drips and lighter color. Too much paint will not look translucent on the stone, but rather "painted on" and coated over the top of the surface. If you're concerned about the paint not adhering, add a little more paint and always do a test spot first to see if you like the color and the way it looks when applied.

3. Apply the whitewash mixture one small section at a time.

Don't be afraid to really push your brush into the stone and brush with X-like motions to evenly cover the surface. Working in a small section either one stone at a time like I did with our stone, or if you have brick working with a small area (for example 2 feet by 2 feet) is about right to brush on the mixture.

4. Use your staining pad to wipe any excess whitewash mixture.

Once you brush the whitewash mixture onto your small section, use your staining pad to wipe away the excess and even out the color. This process moves along at an even pace, so you don't have to wipe the excess away quickly and you don't have to wait a bajillion hours either.

Just brush on, wipe off. Brush on. Wipe off.

******An alternative is to simply use your staining pad to apply the whitewash mixture if your stone is not too rough. You can always test an area, but a rough stone will simply rip the material of the staining pad. A bristle brush really gets into the cracks and crevices of the stone more easily.

5. Repeat steps 3 and 4 section by section until complete.

6. If you are layering colors, wait for the first layer of your whitewash to completely dry.

I personally waited a day in between doing a base gray-wash layer, and a top white-wash layer. Meaning I finished the first coat late at night, went to bed and woke up to start the second layer. You likely don't have to wait that long, especially the more porous your stone is.

That's it! Easy peasy. Thanks in advance for pinning and sharing this post and supporting this blog. I appreciate you taking the time to stop by and hope this helps give you the confidence to give it a try!