Don't worry if the model is boring, its not about that at all mate. Like you said its the learning process. Modeling props like this is a great way to learn not only that it will impress people looking to hire you, knowing that you can crank out random props. As for the lighting and rendering stuff. I would not do renders…
Your color and render choices are nauseating. Find something less saturated and simple so our eyes don't bleed, and makes it easier for us to read the details. You also have a ton of aliasing and weirdness going on. It's as if you rendered it really big and scaled it down, or vice versa. Where is the wireframe?
ARGH MY EYES~ Seriously, loose the blue, you're not gaining anything from it, just go with the standard grey material clay render. I think the machine is a tad too high as well. Other than that it seem well modeled from what I could tell. Couldn't look directly at it for too long. haha :)
People model wrench's and fuse boxes and staplers.... admit RoosterMap that you, like me... have been waiting for someone to step up and build a milkshake machine. @BowPlane. It looks like the reference... render is not adding to the model though... so maybe another... deffo add a plug i'd say I reckon you should make it…