Entry, entryway or foyer … whatever you call it, today I’m talking about creating a functional entry in a small space.
This year I’m finally addressing several outstanding house projects.
And our small entryway is first on the list.
I’ve shared snippets of my entry refresh progress here, here, and here.
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Looking back at the photos of our renovation, I truly appreciate how far we’ve come in a relatively short time. When we purchased the house the small entryway was broken up by an oddly placed doorway into the kitchen and a tiny closet. Oh, and the front door wasn’t centered in the room.
You can tour the house before the renovation here.
The door to the kitchen was moved, the closet relocated and we raised the ceiling about a foot to create a sense of spaciousness upon entering the house. And it gave us room to hang a small pendant.
We added chair rail-height wainscot and a ton of moulding to the tray ceiling.
Here’s how it looked when we moved in and at various stages over the past four years.
Ok, it’s not terrible. Far from it. But the entry bench that I thought we’d use for taking shoes on and off when heading out to walk the dogs turned out to get no use. We come and go through a back door into the garage. We do use the front door when heading out to the garden, bringing in the mail, and it’s where guests arrive. I thought our little entryway would feel more welcoming with a small console table, mirror, and nice lamp.
For reference our entryway space is 8’5″ L x 5’7″ W.
I searched and searched for a console table without success. And, as often happens when you stop seeking something out, it finds you. And that’s what happened when an email from 1stDibs landed in my mailbox with a perfectly sized bamboo table on the cover photo. I love the style and the price was right.
With the table purchased and on its way, it was time to kick it into gear. My friend interior designer/stylist Alli Bentz recommended this round, scalloped mirror from Ballard Designs. It has a fun, coastal vibe and I think it’s a little unexpected. Oh, and it only weighs 12 lbs which made Jim happy because he hates putting heavy duty hardware into the walls. Allie also she suggested this gourd shaped lamp.
Atoll Scalloped Mirror | Suzanne Kasler Lamp
I love the mirror, but I was so so on the lamp. I had a few other options picked out but when I showed them to Jim he nixed my ideas in favor of Alli’s. Yes, Jim has opinions on our home decor which can be frustrating in the moment … but generally results in better outcomes. Two heads, or in this case three, are better than one.
Jim put the lamp on a dimmer and timer. It’s almost embarrassing how happy it makes me to walk past the entryway and see the glow of the lamp in the evenings.
Last year, I ask my artist friend Heidi (Heidi Michelle Art Studio) if she’d paint a small, coastal watercolor for another room in our house. When it arrived it didn’t quite work in the space I intended, but it’s perfect for the entry. I had it framed (if you’re local I love Anthony’s Custom Picture Framers in Lafayette) and ordered this iron art easel for it to rest on.
I kept our entry rug, although is too small for the space. Turns out this same rug comes in a larger size that will work and it’s on its way.
With all the main ingredients in place, it was time to zhush up the table. I grabbed a few coffee table books from the library and borrowed a small ginger jar from another room. It’s a nice placeholder while I search for a tray or bowl to function as a catch-all.
And that’s where things were when Jessica Brydson arrived to photograph our library. She snapped a few shots of the entry too, even though the larger rug had yet to arrive, or catch-all tray discovered. More on those later.
Shop the look ~
As I mentioned, a larger area rug is on the way. It’s exactly the same rug we have now in a larger size. The rug is very low profile, nearly flat which is ideal for a situation like ours where the front door won’t open over anything but the thinnest of rugs. And I found the perfect catch-all dish when Northern California Style Kim gifted me a trio of grid-patterned stoneware trays. The largest one is perfect.
The allusive console table is found, a fun mirror and lamp in place, a beautiful piece of coastal art created, and finishing touches coming soon.
Can you believe I dragged my feet on finishing our entry for nearly four years and then it all came together in less than a few months? I’m excited for the rug to arrive and present you with the fait accompli.
Entryway Sources ~
Flooring: DuChateau Signature Engineered European Oak in Basal
Pendant: Chapman & Myers Arch Top Mini Lantern
Door Color: Farrow & Ball Oval Room Blue
Wall Color: Farrow & Ball Slipper Satin
Trim Color: Benjamin Moore White Opulence
So there you have it, how I (finally) created a functional entry in our small space.
Are you grappling with unfinished or challenging home projects?
I’d love to know.
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