I wasn’t sure how to decorate it and never really loved the front entry as an indoor space.
It was just a space we walked through to move from one room to the next.
There was nothing but a few pictures and a welcome sign decorating the room.
And the antique bench that I recovered in a brown floral Waverly pattern never really did much for the entry either. In hindsight, I should have picked a more neutral fabric.
Lesson learned.
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Before the Front Entry Refresh
Because my home was feeling dark and dingy with the cranbury, sage and gold wall colors, I did some updating.
Updated the living room.
And painted the dining room too!
After refreshing the kitchen, living, and dining rooms, it was clear I needed to address the front entry although I sort of didn’t want to?
The entry space is kind of small and the front hall color extends from the main floor through the second floor hallway.
That was more of a time-consuming project than I wanted to take on because I wanted to start working outside in the gardens.
But every time I walked through the front entry from the living room to the kitchen, the dinginess gnawed at me.
I decided to split the project into two, and painted the main floor only.
To accomplish one floor only, I did not to paint the staircase hall walls and left them as is. It’s not ideal, but it works.
We had a few rainy days in the forecast so I took advantage of them.
The front entry hall is a smaller room in comparison to the others I recently refreshed so I knew it would only take a few hours to paint.
I picked up my supplies and prepared myself to start when it rained.
After the Front Entry Refresh
What a difference a can of paint makes!
It took me a few hours to paint but was so worth my time.
Now that the front entry was lightened and brightened, I needed to address the decor to help the space feel cozier and inviting.
The bench, in all its floral glory, had to go.
I know it looks bad in these photos, but it was fine when my whole house was cranberry, sage and gold.
To see what I did with this bench to refresh it, see my blog on Painting Upholstery Fabric.
It’s amazing how that bench looks now!!
Since I didn’t want to spend a lot of money on this refresh, I kept most of the decor that was there and worked with what I have.
Before the refresh, I added a gold plant stand entry table from Homegoods.
To coordinate better with the overall decor, we sprayed it oil-rubbed bronze so it coordinated better in the new space.
Flanking the front door, I added a long metal rusty tube that we had laying around as a faux planter vessel and a basket with pillows.
I am considering adding a small table or something on one side, but haven’t found what I’m looking for yet, so I may not even do that.
If I see something that inspires me, I’ll run with it.
Finally, the room desperately needed an area rug.
For years, I struggled with deciding what rug would work best in the space so I never did anything with it.
Having lightened and brightened the room, it was so much easier to find something that pulled the room together and coordinated with the adjoining rooms.
Although I’ll still tweak this space as I find pieces to add, it looks pretty good so far and I’m happy with the result.
Final Thoughts
The front entry is not done but is coming along.
I’m working with what I have until I find the right pieces. As an aside, it’s OK to work on a room over time. We don’t have to buy everything from one store because we want it to feel complete.
Adding things you love that represent who you are is what makes a house feel like a home.
Besides…half of the fun of decorating is the thrill of the hunt for just the right accessory! Don’t rush it.
What do you think of the front entry so far?
It’s amazing how nicely the rooms flow after updating them.
And I am so happy we finally found an area rug that works too.
It defines the area more as a room instead of a lifeless, empty space.
Not to mention, my dogs love it and sleep there all the time!
If you would like to see before and after photos of the main floor’s refresh, see Farmhouse Kitchen, Living Room and Dining Room.
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Thanks so much for following along.
Enjoy a beautiful day! xo
