Boyfriend Jeans | Leopard Flats | Ruffle Sleeve Top
If you're a long time reader, you know that our entry has been an ongoing challenge. You can see a few of the evolutions in this post and this post and you saw the latest in last week's video tour, but I thought it was worth its own post, too.
Our entry is a wide hallway-ish space with weird angles and a staircase leading to our lower level, nursery, bathroom, bedroom, living room and study OFF of it, so while it's a long space and a wide space, it's also kind of just 2 walls that don't touch. Confusing? I think so, too. The good news is I feel like we're finally in a good place with it!
While there have been a lot of variations that I quite liked, there have been two pieces missing that really prevented the space from reaching its potential in retrospect: storage and lighting. One afternoon, earlier this summer, I was sitting at my little desk in the reading room looking at the wall and especially zeroed in on the floor light that really served us no real purpose. "I wish that was a plug so we could have actual lamps." And right then and there, Chris said, "I think I can do that!"
And he did. He used the wires that powered the light, and converted it to a junction box and then patched the wall.
It really took him just a couple hours and I can't believe we waited 4 years to do this. 4 years without a plug! I bought these budget-friendly table lamps that afternoon.
We were doing a campaign with Sauder at the time and I picked out this dresser from them to use in the entry. It was the perfect width and depth and I'm head over heels for all the storage we added instantly. We still have some empty drawers, but in one I put scarves, hats and gloves. In one is Charly's leash and my candle collection (weird combo). I have some vases in another and the girls' school papers in another and the others are still empty. Room to grow!
The round mirror we brought up from the guest room (and moved an IKEA mirror we had down there). And the long wooden bowl is the perfect spot for keys and sunglasses. It never ceases to amaze me that keys and sunglasses sitting on a surface can look messy, but just putting them in something--immediately better! Grab a bowl, a little dish or a tray and put it on your entry surface today.
For an organic touch, and because every space needs some green (even if it isn't real) I purchased two of these faux silver dollar eucalyptus branches. I've gotten so many compliments from our guests on these! They look so real and add so much to the first impression of our home.
We took a row off our FLOR tiles to make the runner a little thinner and added two more hooks (we were always wishing there were more hooks!) to the wallpapered wall where a mirror used to hang. While it was all done over the course of the summer, little by little, today it is feeling just right.
That's not to say there will never be more tweaks, because what's the fun in that?, but I'm truly loving where we are right now. It's the first impression and mix of form and function we've been hunting for. More on those reading room tweaks to come!
SOURCES
Dresser | Lamps | Candle | Vase | Decorative Bowl (similar) | Mirror | Faux Eucalyptus Branches | Hooks | Area Rug (in linen) | Shoe Basket | Stair Railing | Wallpaper (similar)
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I love, love, love this! What size mirror did you use?
Can you mention the 2 different heights and distances between hooks for your Coat/bag storage wall? I'm 5'11" myself and always am unsure of just how tall I should place hooks on the wall!
I especially love the dresser. It must be so nice to have all of that functional storage right in the entry.
This encompasses everything I want my own entryway to become- love!
This is very much what I aspire to in our entryway... such a long way to go! Love the wallpaper!
I love the looks of that bag hanging on the far left hook. Would you share the source? Thanks!
That is from Fossil.
Curious where you moved the vintage runner to? Beautiful room!
I was craving a little simplicity so I rolled it up for now, but I'm determined to find a place for it!
I love moving things around my space as well... it really does keep things fresh! Plus a little simplicity is good for the soul before the holidays inevitably crowd everything with extra decor!
Hey guys... following you all the way from Ireland.. love your style...Can you send me the link to your wallpaper.. I just adore it.. thanks ????
I love having functional furniture!!!! I am also loving this entry. Quick question Do you use anchors to attach the coat hooks to the wall? I want to place my hooks every 8" but I don't want my kiddos pulling the hooks out of the drywall between the studs! Please help!
Yes, the heavy duty screw in kind
I love the dresser and would love one for my entry, but I have heard it is awful to put together?! True?
It took us about 2 hours. If you can put Ikea furniture together, you can put this together.
???? thanks!
Hi - in the house tour you had a stool / pouf. Do you have a link to that?
yes! that moves around (thanks to the girls) but it usually in the entry so we can sit down and put on shoes. Here's the link!
I love this look so much that I'm taking some ideas for my bedroom dresser. I ordered the branches and noticed in the description that they are pretty long. Did you need to cut them to size? I'm hesitant to cut them in case I want to use them in a longer vase down the line.
I did cut them. And I worried too! But they arrive really really really long. Start small and you can always cut more off.
Hi Julia! I was curious as to how many branches you used in your vase. Looks like two but I wasn't sure. Thanks!
Two is right on.
It looks so welcoming and sets the perfect tone for the rest of your house. Love it!
Thank you for this post - I have been eyeing your gorgeous entry for a while! Do you think this look could translate to a bedroom? We need an upgrade and I have been contemplating incorporating these entry pieces with some of your ideas from the recent bedroom makeover.
100%!
I love this version the most. It doesn't feel staged or forced. I have the same mirror and wondering how did you hang it on wall without having it tilt forward?
Hmm, maybe just drive your screw into the wall a little further?
Julia-love the grey bag! Give us the deets! Its super cute!
It's actually my diaper bag! From Fawn Design.
This is soooooo right! I've loved each iteration of your entry, but this is definitely my favorite! So welcoming! And I can imagine those lamps on dimmers as a kind of "nightlight". I always keep one or two lamps on in my main living space, and these would be such good candidates!
What do you put in the basket by the front door?
Shoes! :)
This space looks great! Love that dresser and of course, the extra storage is always a plus. The removal of the FLOR panels to make more of a runner was also a great move! We are primarily front door users because we don't have a garage. But we also go in and out the back door for gardening, neighbor visits, wiffle ball, grilling and just and hanging out on the deck. We are a "no shoes in the house" family so we always have shoes in two different places! Am wondering if your family primarily uses the front door on a day to day basis or whether you use the garage entrance (which I think goes to your mudroom?) and if so how you handle having coats/shoes/keys etc in two different places??
We use the front door 99% of the time right now. It might change in the winter when were more likely to park in the garage (aka when we're forced to clean out the garage--haha!) But now, we keep shoes in the basket by the front door and keys in the laundry room/mudroom, which just works naturally for us. We generally are carrying things into the house and the kitchen and it just works to have the keys there.
I'm really loving this version of the entry!
Oh and even though the picture is blurry...you are looking good Julia! Love the outfit and your sense of style.
Thanks Traci!
I've been waiting to hear more about your new entry! It's beautiful! Do you mind sharing what you think about the quality of the dresser? Thanks
Obviously it's a veneer wood, but we're really pleasantly surprised about the quality!
Chuckling a little that you said dog leashes and candle collections are a weird combo because that is exactly what I have in the dresser in my entry! Ha. Stealing your ideal to put the kids' school papers in a drawer there too -- much better than my current stack on the kitchen island!
This post is completely inspiring! I have so much I want to do around that house to improve it and I have no idea where to start. How do you prioritize? Any tips on where to get started? We need to redo kitchen backsplash, get to under lighting, reaping all the doors/trim, redo the bathroom floor, replace all the door knobs, style our bedroom!! So much to do and any advice you can give would be appreciated!!