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Decorate With Intention: Create a Welcoming Entry
Porches and entryways should graciously greet you as well as guests in your home. Here, some welcoming ideas
Houzz Contributor. You can also find me on Lolalina (http://www.lolalina.com/), my blog devoted to all of the things that make a house a home - decorating from the heart, living with intention, and savoring life's simple pleasures.
Houzz Contributor. You can also find me on Lolalina (http://www.lolalina.com/),... More »
Does your home make you breathe a big sigh of relief when you walk in the door? It can, and should, though daily life oftentimes gets in the way of creating a space as beautiful and comfortable as we would like. Join us this week as we scout out inspiring entrances and share tips for pulling together a welcoming home, from appeal at the curb to creature comforts inside the door.
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by Home & Harmony
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| The welcoming process begins before you step foot inside, so pay attention to the front of your house first. This does not have to entail spending a lot of money, as it's often the small touches that make the most difference. Go outside and take a few moments to consider the front of your home, imagining that you are visiting for the first time. What strikes you? What changes would you like to make? Style notes: Giving your front door or porch ceiling a coat of blue paint is a great way to increase curb appeal. Always try to have something fresh and green near your door as well — even if it is simply a few branches plunked in a pretty bucket. |
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| Think about leading a guest from the sidewalk to your front door: Is there a gently curving path, or is it difficult to find the way to your door? If you have stairs, is there a proper railing within reach? Are porch lights working and turned on in the evening? Are house numbers clearly visible from the street? Once the basics are in order, consider adding a few finishing touches to delight the senses:
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by Julie Holloway
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Deborah Needleman in her book The Perfectly Imperfect Home compares the entryway to "the butler we don't have," which is a wonderful way to think of this space. Under ideal conditions, it should graciously greet us at the door, find a place for our belongings and dole them out again when we leave.
Style notes: Because the entryway is usually a small space, it can be fun to be a bit more adventurous in this area. Try wallpaper, a bold mirror, a shapely pendant light, or all three.
Style notes: Because the entryway is usually a small space, it can be fun to be a bit more adventurous in this area. Try wallpaper, a bold mirror, a shapely pendant light, or all three.
A console table with a tray for mail on top and a bin for recycling beneath, hooks or pegs on the wall, good lighting and an ample mirror are always a winning combination. If you are lucky enough to have a coat closet nearby, you can skip the hooks and perhaps the recycling bin.
Style notes: A driftwood mirror, an iron table and a beadboard wall add up to a rustic-modern look that would be right at home in the city, the country or anywhere in between.
Style notes: A driftwood mirror, an iron table and a beadboard wall add up to a rustic-modern look that would be right at home in the city, the country or anywhere in between.
by Tara Seawright
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Not much room? That doesn't mean you can't still make a bold style statement. A petite ottoman covered in a luxurious fabric looks chic and can hold a coat and bag. Add an extra-large mirror on the wall to create an expansive sense of space.
Style notes: Want to recreate a glam look? Plush velvet, curvy shapes, crystal (or anything with a bit of sparkle), silver and chinoiserie accents all bring to mind old Hollywood elegance.
Style notes: Want to recreate a glam look? Plush velvet, curvy shapes, crystal (or anything with a bit of sparkle), silver and chinoiserie accents all bring to mind old Hollywood elegance.
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Built-ins can be a smart investment if you are working with an awkward entry. Try a window seat with integrated storage or tuck a coat closet into a nook beneath the stairs to convert previously unusable space.
by CWB Architects
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For a really tight spot, look for wall-mounted solutions. Sconce lighting, floating shelves, decorative brackets and coat hooks are all great options. If the budget is as tight as the space, scour local flea markets for one-off finds like antique doorknobs (that can become coat hooks) and architectural castoffs that can be repurposed as wall shelves.
Style notes: An urn near the front door is a wise choice for decor. It looks great filled with flowers but makes a strong statement even when empty — and it can be pulled into duty as an impromptu doorstop.
Style notes: An urn near the front door is a wise choice for decor. It looks great filled with flowers but makes a strong statement even when empty — and it can be pulled into duty as an impromptu doorstop.
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by Whitney Lyons
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| Last, consider adding a personal touch, something that will make you smile each time you see it — whether it is as small as a special shell or stone or as large as this amazing photo mosaic. Style notes: Matt and Kimberly Weishoff created the mosaic shown here by blowing up a favorite photo, then cutting it into sections that were used as an alternative to the traditional guest book at their wedding (read the how-to here). More: Welcoming and Stylish Entryways Entryways Take a Seat |
Ideabook updated on April 18, 2012.
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marcie
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The door is an aqua color a beige color siding??