We have a lot of stair railings in our house. We have the grand staircase in the front entry, a staircase leading up into the bonus room, a staircase in the home gym, and a staircase on the second floor leading up into the attic. Every staircase in our house has black painted balusters, except the front entry and I cannot for the life of me remember why I chose white instead of black. Well, I guess I can remember because I wrote about it. I'm surprised it was even a debate in my head considering my love of black. Apparently I wanted a more "airy" white on white, but the entry has been begging for some drama and so... we painted the balusters black.
Here's what they looked like white:
White Balusters
And here's what the black balusters look like...
Black Balusters
Pedestal Table | Vase | Faux Stems | Marble Plate | Art | Chandelier | Sconces
This is just much more me. I love how there's so much more contrast in this beautiful scene now. The black and the white, really make that warm wood sing and that's really the shining star in the entryway.
Let's not forget where the entry started when we moved in.
The Entry Before
We have come so so far.
We used the same Tricorn Black in Semi-gloss that was used on all the other balusters in the house–just a true true black. Here's a different angle.
Before
After
Shop Our Entry
Sometimes it just takes living in a space and having enough time for your eyes to adjust to know what you want. And sometimes you know what you want all along and you just have to get enough courage to go for it. I think for me it was both.
Painting the entry door black
To go along with the new black balusters, I couldn't help but paint the front door black as well. The door is such a big architectural element in our home. It has some really cool moldings on it, plus it's 10 feet tall. Once we added the sconces on either side of the door I knew I really wanted to make it stand out. Everything else in the entry is white, and so I painted it black.
Before
After
Round Rug | Sconces | Chandelier | Ruffle Top | Jeans
Everything about this feels right. I love how the door is complimented by the black balusters, and I can't believe I didn't do this from the very beginning!
So to answer your question: no the front entry is not finished. The foundation for the front entry is there but I'm calling this a blank slate. My renovating philosophy is: I love to get everything to a certain level and then level up again. I really want to add a bunch of trim work to the entry. The chair rail was there and it's fine, but I'd love to do something different. This is just the beginning.
Other Posts About the Front Entry
Leave a Reply
WE'RE CHRIS + JULIA
Portfolio
Projects
What color of black paint did you use?
Can you share the paint color in the entry?
White flour sherwin williams
This ties in the chandelier so well! It looks so good! I love seeing your design process and seeing that it’s not always perfect the first time, but you keep going and making it perfect.
I know this is probably linked somewhere but what color white is used in this space? I remember when I first saw your entry it took my breath away and I’d like to see if it could work in my space. Thanks! Great work :)
Sherwin Williams white flour
Simply lovely! Can't wait to see what you add next to the entry. Please share the black paint color used on the door.
I love it, such a beautiful space! The black door and spindles add just the right amount of depth and drama.
Welcome back to the dark side ;) looks so good!!
Can you link the wall sconce light fixtures?
They're linked beneath the photos under "sconces!" Hope that helps!
My eyes just passed over the chandelier until you painted the balusters black. Now it seems to flow so much better and every part complements the others. It's gorgeous.
Thank you!
I was on team "leave them white" but you're right - this is better for YOU and YOUR house. It all looks so good painted :)
I knew you would change them to black eventually! It's beautiful! I love your statement about getting things to a certain level and then leveling up again. I'm doing a refresh in my living room and it has been helpful to me to take my time and get the foundation done first and then start adding to it.
I feel like with that chandelier and entry table the balusters were just begging to be black!
The black balusters are so good!! THe only thing now is that the chandelier was great to offset the airiness (in tandem with the black table) but now it seems a little heavy!
Love the door in black! It looks elegant and organic to the space. The black balusters don't work for me--they make the space too busy. And I think the white balusters did a better job of showing off the beautiful wood.