What would you do with this countertop area?

[Aug2002Bride]

We have this countertop in our kitchen that overlooks to our living room. I think it looks like it needs something but Im not sure what!

What would you gals put there if it was yours to decorate?

Thanks!!!
Karie

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5d930b3127cce9280ed75e72b00000016108AcsmrhozaM2

[Kimberland30]

Maybe some plants in baskets? Or a candle garden?

http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/assets/product_images/130/3305913383138P.JPG

[shopaholic]

I have the same countertop overlooking the living room. I love it and hate it at the same time.

Its nice to overlook the living room, but it seems that is where everything gets dropped off. Housekeys, newspaper, bills, etc.

I try to keep it as clear as possible...I do have a tart warmer up there....that is all right now.

[tenofcups]

My parents have a similar thing in their house between their den and kitchen. They have several double-sided frames that all can be seen from both sides so there are pics on each side of them (hope that makes sense!). They also usually have flowers there, and then some empty space since that's where they tend to put the paper, mail, etc. too. I also think plants would look nice and vases with flowers. Maybe some canisters in the corner?

[flygirl]

Our bar is angled on one side. The long part is parallel with the living room, then another 4 feet angle toward the hallway. On that part we have a two-row wine rack with some candles. On the other end is a wrought iron plate stand, a basket to (supposedly) hold all the things we want to keep on the counter, and more candles. The middle is (supposedly) kept clear.

[boilermaker]

I would put a catch-all decorative bowl on the end that is open to the walkway. Then a plant/candle garden/something with some height on the other end and in between, something very low, like a row of votives. I personally wouldn't want to block the view from the kitchen into the living room.

[miaclear]

I have the same setup and actually just decorated mine up today! Since we moved in we've only had houseplants up there. I took down all but two today and found a black wire basket at Target that I rolled up some of my nicer dish towels in, I have a Burpee old fashioned looking watering can and some decorative iron birds. Basically just decorated it up....didn't want it to be functional as a bar to eat at. On the far end is our kitchen phone so I hid a pad of paper and some pens in a basket.

[CarolinaGirl]

I keep mine empty. I finally decided it looked much better without any clutter. Plus, we have barstools on the other side, so we don't have to move any decor if we want to eat there. I keep a basket on the lower part for keys and stuff.