Thursday, July 24, 2008

Room makeover, a before & after: Saying "welcome home"

What's the first thing people see when they enter your home? I mean, on a good day... when the shoes are away, the jackets stored, the iguanas back in their cages, the engine parts stashed...?

I thought I'd show you this mini-makeover that I did as part of a client's living room re-do to illustrate how to brighten your entryway... even if it isn't very large.

In this home, the wall to the right of the staircase and opposite the front door was a perfect place to define as a welcoming spot. In the before, however, the table is a too small, and is turned toward the living room... trying to be a part of it, but not quite making it.

And the candle, vase and other little accessories don't make a bold statement.

To create a more dramatic landing spot, I used a larger piece of furniture, facing it toward the front door, and a bigger picture and vase with flowers, all of which the homeowner owned.

And I always like a tray, or a long, shallow dish like I used here, near the front door. It's a good place to put your keys, sunglasses etc. when you come home. (Added bonus: You'll always know where they are!)

Finally a lamp brightens the area and catches your attention, making you pause before you enter the rest of the house.

And think of all the stuff you can hide in those drawers...

(If you're looking for lots of great ideas, check out Rocks in My Dryer's Works-for-me Wednesday feature... even though it's not Wednesday...)

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10 comments:

Caren said...

Looks really nice! Just a couple little touches that made a big change. Good job!

Anonymous said...

Wow! I can't belive what a difference you made by using larger pieces. Thanks for sharing. I need to think about my own little entry wall.

Anonymous said...

Great redesign! I love little dishes to keep my keys in too. we were always losing them before. Now we know right where they are. Can't wait to see your next redesign!

Libby

Anonymous said...

That is helpful. I think I have a lamp I could move to the entryway. I already have a nice-sized flower thing there...but you're right, it needs some light.

Anonymous said...

oh yeah, that looks like a million times better, when I did one of your five minute makeovers on my hall cupboard top I added a lamp and I put it on a timer so that if we come home late and it's dark it's already clicked, it makes SUCH a difference, soooo welcoming

great inspiration as ever...

Jenny said...

What a great change for that entrance.

And I have seen the chair in the post below on a few blogs. It is fantastic. Shame we don't have Pottery Barn here.

Jill said...

Hi...Thanks for the comment! I really like your site and have a flea market/thrifty home myself! Trying to use things in places you wouldn't expect but look great!! Can't wait til naptime so I can look at your older posts!! Have a great day!!
Jill

Trixi said...

It's amazing what a big difference changing those simple pieces makes. You did a great job.
Blessings~~

Connie said...

OH I so need help! The view from my front door is a living area with 8' wide by 23' high wall of windows and the competing focal point is a huge stone fireplace with flanking antiqe black curio cabinets. We have a great forest view and don't want to hide it but have that blinding morning sun to contend with. So ~ got any ideas for a wall of windows? We're an 'modern country / arts & crafts' kinda people - colors are black, beige and we have some tropical plants so green.
Thanks for stopping in my blog this week!

Unknown said...

WOW! What you did really makes a difference! It's definitely more dramatic. Great job!