A little shelf styling

There's something about a beautifully styled shelf that gets me every time.  How do they do it?  Is there some mathematical formula that I'm just not following?  Take my coffee station shelves for example.  Not too bad - just...something missing.  I'm constantly moving things around, trying to make them seem full, but not too full.  Coordinated, but not too matchy matchy.  It's a work in progress, but I think it's taken a step in the right last weekend...

Here's where I began:

See what I mean?  Totally fine.  Just missing some colour?  Too much empty space?

Well, I moved/added some things and I like how it's shaping up.  Still too much empty space I think, but we're getting there!

You'll notice in the photo below that I reflected the books/teapot instead, so the pot and hippo weren't going head to head...

Before and After...thoughts?  Any experts have suggestions?

Coffee/Tea Station

Remember this picture?

This was taken just after our Kitchen Cupboard Makeover.  The table on the right still looks exactly the same (I have big plans for another makeover on that), BUT the wall behind has been filled up and it's just as I envisioned it.

Here's an in between shot:

These are 2 Akurum cabinets from Ikea (over the fridge cabinets with Applad doors), mounted next to each other.  The only annoying this is that we put BOTH wood backs in backwards!  They are supposed to be white, not wood when you see inside.  But we didn't notice until the little nails were all nicely tacked down - but then I decided it was actually a good things, because I thought they would look better painted.  And I think I was right :)

Here they are with the doors on, and with a solid wood plank on top.  We had a carpenter friend find us a nice piece and we stained it.  (Also, notice that we switched out the big chandelier for 2 globe lights.  I love how these fit above the table, not taking up quite so much headspace)

But it wasn't quite right yet.  We had an Ikea floating shelf that I thought would fit well above the floating sideboard.  I got some Pinterest inspiration and decided that it should be hung quite high - and I love how it finishes the look.

Here's the full view now (please ignore the terrible table/chairs that still don't match anything yet...)

To be done in this space:
- Makeover the table and chairs (I've got fabric and everything else I need...just gotta find the time.)
- Add a jute rug under the table?
- Add 2 bright bar stools